Captain Cook Cruises Fiji Launches Visiting Scientist Program

As MS Caledonian Sky continues her expedition-style itineraries of Fiji’s most remote and beautiful islands, Captain Cook Cruises has revealed the first of its special guest lecturers to kick off its visiting scientist program, included in guest itineraries on select departures. This program further enhances the program in place run by the on board uniquely Fijian expedition team.

The line-up of visiting scientist guest lecturers includes experts in marine biology and reef conservation, providing a fascinating, firsthand discovery of the South Pacific’s submarine world while cruising its waters. Confirmed in the program to date are Dr Alison Green, Dr Anne Hogget, Dr Lyle Vail and Dr Penny Berents.

Dr Alison Green is the scientific advisor for NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program, was previously formerly the Senior Marine Scientist at The Nature Conservancy and the Director of Science, Technology and Information Group at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Dr Green will join the three, four and combined seven-night cruises to the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands departing on January 2, 2024, to present a series of fascinating lectures including on the secret lives of coral reef fish and on reef conservation and to join guests on snorkelling and diving trips to provide in-water guiding and commentary.

Dr Green has worked in the Samoan Archipelago for the past 30 years and has a vast working knowledge spanning the Pacific including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Palau, Hawaii, Line Islands and French Polynesia and can offer insights into the marine environments of the cruise destinations as well as a broader perspective on coral reef ecology, conservation and management in the region.

Directors of the Australian Museum Lizard Island Research Station (LIRS) Dr Anne Hoggett AM and Dr Lyle Vail AM will join the seven-night Remote North Discovery cruise departing on May 18, 2024. Together the husband-and-wife team develop and manage the internationally renowned coral reef research facility on the northern Great Barrier Reef, the Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station. The many joys of running LIRS include living at the cutting edge of coral reef research and helping young scientists attain their goals in the field.

Dr Penny Berents is a Senior Fellow at the Australian Museum Research Institute and one of Australia's leading marine biologists. Dr Berents will join the Southern Lau and Kadavu cruise departing on May 25, 2024. Dr Berents has spent over 40 years researching all aspects of marine biodiversity and has dedicated her life to conducting surveys and collecting data in marine environments, from coral reefs to the deep sea. In addition to her wealth of knowledge, she is also a dive instructor and an experienced boat handler, having led numerous expeditions to the Great Barrier Reef and the Indo-Pacific.

Captain Cook Cruises Executive Chair Allison Haworth West said the guest lecturer, onboard MS Caledonian Sky was an essential part of the expedition experience for guests.

“The guest lecturer program allows us to bring together some of the world’s leading marine scientists and conservationists to share their knowledge with our guests both onboard the ship and in the water,” Mrs Haworth West said.

“We’re very privileged to have worked with these esteemed speakers over many years. For instance, Dr Berents has previously led lectures with Captain Cook Cruises Fiji and simply couldn’t wait to be back onboard to share her vast knowledge and insights with passengers,” she said.

For further information and bookings, please contact Captain Cook Cruises Fiji on +61 2 9126 8160 or within Australia: 1300 To Fiji (86 3454), email fiji@captaincookcruisesfiji.com or visit www.captaincookcruisesfiji.com

Captain Cook Cruises

Captain Cook Cruises was founded in 1970 by Trevor Haworth AM and his wife Geraldine with the family business growing from an original single boat with twice weekly departures to 30 departures a day. At its peak, the Captain Cook Cruises group included more than 29 ships in four destinations and carried over one million passengers a year. In 1997 the family expanded into Fiji. In 2011 the Australian operation was sold. Today, the company’s cruises visit more than 90 of Fiji’s 333 islands. All cruises offer water and beach-based adventures with daily swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkelling, and glass bottom boat tours over pristine coral reefs. With a firm commitment to marine science and sustainability, the company’s onboard marine biologists provide expert knowledge through guided activities and lectures to help educate passengers on how to best protect and preserve Fiji’s natural environment.
* Sarah Shields at sarah@sarahshields.com.au