Monowai for Pacific
p. 52 · Read in the full issue
Cruise in 1958
THE popularity of the Islands Cruise seems now to have ex ceeded its immediate pre-War- II heyday, with a regular flotilla of liners scheduled to enter the field next year.
Latest is the Union Steam Ship Co.’s trans-Tasman passenger liner Monowai, making her first cruise in 20 years and the Union Co.’s first since the war.
Monowai will sail from Auckland next July 1, following her usual annual refit. She will divert to pass Norfolk Island and presumably land passengers briefly if weather permits—en route to Suva, where she will spend one day. Next will be for two days at Apia, then two days at Pago Pago, a day at Vavau (Tonga) another day at Nukualofa, a day at Raoul Island, in the Ker madecs, on the run south, and finally a call at Port Fitzroy, on Great Barrier Island, where the whaling station is located, before reaching Auckland again on July 18.
Though this 11,037-ton vessel carries 396 passengers on her normal trans-Tasman run, she will book only 300 for the Island cruise to avoid overcrowding.
An indication of the company’s expectations on the bookings is seen in the fact that inquiries in Auck land indicate that no advertising literature on the cruise is being pre pared. Rates vary from £NZ9O to £NZI4S, depending on cabin.
t Four big overseas liners will brin tourists to P-NG in the first half c this year. t European plantings of coffee i: New Guinea have now reached mor than 3,700 acres.