Borneo cruising holiday
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
A small ship – featuring the latest German designed environmental management technology. This purpose built design extends from the energy efficient engine, to the collecting of air conditioning condensation and recycling of grey water onboard. A ship designed to be fully self contained for up to 22 days at sea. A ship with environmental credentials designed to meet the strictest requirements for marine management established by the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators. Credentials that set the standard for best practice in all environments we operate in.
The nature of an expedition is to educate our guests on all aspects of the areas visited. This is viewed as fundamental to the experience and an ongoing commitment. The Expedition Team hold lectures on specific topics such as wildlife, Indigenous rock art and the history of the area throughout the expeditions.
To help improve the natural habitat of the precious Bornean wildlife, we will be participating in the restoration of the Kinabantangan River in Borneo which involves planting of new trees and measuring the increase of specific wildlife species along the river. Our expedition staff is also involved in monitoring the number of Orang-utans that are progressing into the wild from the rehabilitation centres.
Community
Community partnership is the basis for all expedition itinerary design. We start first with an approach to the traditional owners, chiefs or heads of the communities, tribes or villages we hope to visit. We start a dialogue about their lives, their needs, and the opportunity of shared experience. A key ingredient in this discussion is authenticity. In most instances we are working with communities without tourism experience and it is important to us that our interaction with them is positive in ways that the communities feel are fair and beneficial to their needs and interests. They see the potential benefit to their people, but need investment, commitment and support to see this through. Our role is to nurture the partnership, ensuring both parties work together to protect their natural resources, sustain their well being and support cultural heritage.
In addition to the fees paid to the Traditional Owners for our guests to visit their community, we also engage the services of local guides for interpretation.
Our specialist Expedition Team ensure our guests are informed and have an understanding of the values and culture of these communities and the significance of our visit before we arrive. The benefits to these communities equate to tangible income.
