TWO ANTARCTIC CRUISES BOOKED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31376, 23 May 1967, Page 1

TWO ANTARCTIC CRUISES BOOKED

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, May 22.

No trouble has been found in filling the tourist accommodation aboard the chartered ship Magga Dan, which is due to make two tourist trips to Antarctica next summer.

This was confirmed tonight by the managing director of Holm and Company, Ltd. (Captain J. F. Holm). “I have been advised that the tourist agency in the United States has sold 20 berths for the Antarctic trips at $7OOO a berth,” he said. “This shows the amount of interest there is in the project.” Captain Holm confirmed that the two Antarctic trips would represent only a small part of the Magga Dan's employment during her charter to. his company. “There will be trips from the South Island to Suva, Apia (Samoa) and Rarotonga," he said. “These should be of particular value, especially from the point of view of South Island promotion. Other voyages planned are to Norfolk Island and No mea.

the relief and reprovisioning of scientific parties. The Magga Dan is at present in the Panama Canal area on her way to New Zealand. She is due at Lyttelton on June 20. The two Antarctic cruises , of the Magga Dan will be in . January and February. Each will be about 30 days. From Lyttelton The first party of 20 will join the ship at Lyttelton; the ■ proposed itinerary is Scott Island, McMurdo Sound, Cape 1 Hallett, the Balleny Islands,

Macquarrie Island, the Auckland Islands, the Snares, Milford Sound, and Sydney. Passengers on the second cruise will join the ship at Sydney and travel in the reverse direction, terminating their voyage at Lyttelton. Other islands that are being considered as part of the Antarctic cruise are the Chathams, Bounty and Campbell Islands, and the Antipodes.

Before the tourists leave New Zealand they will be taken on a tour of the main holiday centres.

Ice Stressing “Part of the value of the Magga Dan is that she was designed for handling cargo at sea, as well as being stressed for work in ice.” It is understood that the Magga Dan will make several trading trips before going on the “glamour” cruises to Antarctica. She will make at least one trip to Campbell Island, for