Most luxury ships constantly roam the world, searching out new and untouched destinations, exploring off the beaten track, or taking you to key hotspots and major cities. Larger mass market ships often operate ‘milk-run’ itineraries, in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

There are some ships, however, that are virtually synonymous with the area in which they cruise – the ship and the destination become as one, and this translates into huge benefits to the customer: these cruise lines have built superb relationships with the locals, seeking out all that is extra special, and rejecting everything that is overblown or mundane, so that the guests on board become members of a very exclusive private club, with access to all that is best in the region.

Take, for example, Hebridean Princess: a true Scottish country house hotel afloat, she boasts tartan carpets, a wide selection of malts, a captain who can address the haggis with the best of them, and a piper whose evocative music drifts after her as she leaves port. After 20 years with a home port of Oban, and core itineraries which feature year in year out, locals welcome the Princess as an old friend. Stately homes open their doors and gardens in welcome, and if the Laird is home, he is the one to greet Hebridean’s small band of passengers as if they were personal friends, and show them around his home. As a result the much vaunted ‘house party’ style of Hebridean’s marketing really comes to life – as a friend of Hebridean Princess, you become a friend of everyone you visit.

Paul Gauguin has cruised the islands of French Polynesia for well over ten years, with occasional forays to New Zealand, Fiji and the Cook Islands. The Polynesian community is a tiny one, and many based in this paradise are involved with tourism, and the substantial income it brings to the islands. As a result, the support from the locals is overwhelming, and small group shore excursions made all the more special as your tour guide takes you off to visit his cousin who has the answer to a particular question, or his brother who has a skill which interests you. In addition, the endearingly named Gauguines, local people based permanently on board, introduce you to the Polynesian way so that you feel you are truly learning about life on the islands, instead of paying a casual visit of just a few hours.

Orion Expedition Cruises features a Papua New Guinea programme which cannot be replicated. The favourite call is the village of Watam. Situated near the mouth of the Sepik, it is a village of about 800 people living in a clan structure much as they have for hundreds of years. This is subsistence living – the villagers survive principally on fish and vegetables, with a pig for special occasions. No electricity means no lights (early to bed), no electric fans, no refrigerators (so food is eaten fresh), no freezers, no airconditioning. No phones. No road in or out. No cars. They are surronded by jungle and hence like many of the 800 plus tribes in PNG retain their own cultures and independence. They are healthy and happy.
Watam was actually ‘discovered’ by Orion – as she was the first ship of any size to visit (other than the odd passing trading ship), the sight of 80 white folk arriving in Zodiacs must have been as exciting for the villagers as it was for Orion’s passengers, arriving into a culture which was totally foreign. They had never seen such a gathering of white people before, just the odd missionary or trader.Orion’s Expedition Cruise Programme Coordinator Justin Friend, first visited Watam when seeking interesting destinations for Orion to visit in 2005 – he is now an officially appointed village chief advising on external affairs.The village chiefs have expressed their delight in how much Orion’s visits have changed their lives in a positive way. They are particularly thankful for all the donations from Orion and her guests – the aid post and school virtually survive on donation deliveries alone. The doctor provides medical assistance, and the ship contributes toys, clothing, footward, mosquito nets and basic medical supplies. As a result, in 2008 Orion was presented with a sacred ancestral spirit figure for safekeeping in the office in Sydney. In traditional folk lore the carving is an actual deceased ancestor’s spirit so this is an important piece. Entrusting the care of this spirit figure signifies the bond between Orion and the people of Watam. The days the ship visits are declared ‘Orion Days’. This very special day is held in the hearts of villagers and visitors alike, memorable, invigorating and heart-warming.