Clipper Odyssey: A Perfect Partner-Ship

On a beautiful sunny May afternoon in Fiji, excitement was in the air as we boarded the Clipper Odyssey for our Faces of Melanesia voyage. For me this was the culmination of a major effort by the Zegrahm team to secure a five-year lease on what is considered one of the finest expedition vessels afloat. That accomplished, we are now assured of having the right vessel in the right place at the best time in the Pacific. More importantly, it means we can guarantee a consistency in our product which allows us to continue our tradition of offering truly unique itineraries in some of the most fascinating regions on earth. In this era of constant change it is important for our travelers to know they can expect the same high quality product each time they sail with us.

With only 110 guests, the ship staff can get to know you, so when you return you are welcomed back as part of the Odyssey family— a wonderful “coming home” feeling, as so many of our repeat travelers told me. The steward who showed me to my cabin remembered me from a previous trip—it made me feel as though I had already been on board for a few days. Many onboard staff members also return year after year, so if you have traveled on this ship before you are likely to encounter a familiar face.

I have always been impressed with how well appointed the cabins on the Odyssey are. Each offers twin beds that can be converted to a queen if preferred. There is a small sitting area near the window or porthole allowing for an abundance of natural light. Each cabin has a TV with a choice of stations or music channels and you can chart our progress on the 24-hour GPS. For outside communication there is the welcome addition of wireless Internet on board; if you don't bring your own computer, there are three work stations in the library. The efficient ease of returning to the ship for lunch and heading back out again in the Zodiacs is surely one of the greatest benefits of being on a small ship.

Our first dinner gave me a taste of the great dining experiences to follow. The single and open-seating policy in the dining room gave me the opportunity to get to know different people each night. New menus, with a variety of fine wines, feature a wider choice of selections and repeat travelers were highly complimentary about the upgrades both in service and quality of cuisine. Casual elegance best describes the dining experience.

For breakfast and lunch, the day lounge serves a less formal meal and lunch now has a different theme each day including: Italian, Indonesian, Indian, and Mexican.

As we sailed through the Islands of Vanuatu, the Solomons, and Papua New Guinea, we settled into a comfortable routine. At each stop the Zodiacs whisked us ashore for nature or birding walks as well as cultural experiences. A morning on shore enjoying local markets, meeting islanders, or watching a riveting dance performance is often followed by an afternoon water foray—snorkeling, diving, or swimming. The Odyssey's glass-bottom boat, which seats 15, is also a terrific way to view the beautiful corals and fish of the South Pacific.

Our incredible lecture team is one of the top reasons we have such a loyal following. On this trip, we were treated to upcoming island previews by naturalists and cultural experts familiar with the Odyssey and this fascinating region. I always left these lectures enriched by the depth of information, and I can now appreciate why so many of our leaders and lecturers have “groupie” followings! While the lectures are held in the lounge, you can also listen in on the P.A. system in your cabin.

As we cruise between islands, the Odyssey has plenty of places to relax. For me, the question became: lounge by the pool and have access to the pool bar, or go up to the sun deck and watch the world pass by in my own quiet solitude? (I know, such a dilemma!) Often one of our naturalists would be “up top” scanning the horizon for birds or marine life.

Our final stop, Port Moresby, came all too soon; as I prepared to disembark, many passengers told me they had chosen this trip especially because they had sailed on the Odyssey before and feel she is the best expedition vessel afloat. It is certainly an opinion I share. Now that Zegrahm Expeditions has chartered the Clipper Odyssey for the next five years, our own exciting destination menu— the South Pacific, Alaska, Japan, and the Russian Far East—will hopefully whet your appetite for small ship adventure. As for me, I'm contemplating the stowaway profession.