***  Cruise West, which operates a fleet of small ships, has announced 12 Japan itineraries for the 2008/09 season.  The Spirit of Oceanus will sail on 12-day/11-night itineraries visiting Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, port towns, islands and holy shrines with short stops in South Korea.  Sailing round-trip from Kobe, the ship will make four departures in October 2008, four in March, 2009 and four in October, 2009.  Per person, double occupancy fares start at $5,849 with shipboard credit of up to $400.  Visit Cruise West’s web site for specific departures.  

*** High seas won’t cause a cruise ship to flounder but they can cause make passengers and crew passengers and crew mighty uncomfortable.  Last week, P&O Cruises Australia’s resident ship, the 47,000-ton Pacific Sun, hit a storm resulting in high winds and swells which caused the ship to roll sharply during a cruise from Auckland, New Zealand.  According to the New Zealand Herald, 57 passengers were injured and required medical attention.  While the ship did not sustain major damage, it stayed in Auckland overnight this weekend after boarding another 1732 passengers because weather conditions were too bad for the ship to leave on its next cruise.

*** While they probably won’t cause a Tahitian traffic jam, two more cruise lines have announced lengthy cruising seasons in this South Pacific paradise.  Silversea Cruises’ new Prince Albert II will sail in French Polynesia from March to October, 2009 and Star Clippers, which operates a fleet of tall ships, has announced year round Star Flyer  cruises from Papeete, Tahiti.   Cruise lines presently operating lengthy or year-round Tahiti cruises include Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Paul Gaugain), Princess Cruises’ Tahitian and Pacific Princess and Bora Bora Cruises’ two 60-passenger vessels.

Silversea’s 132-passenger Paul Albert II, the newest addition to the fleet, is a former expedition vessel upgraded to offer a luxury cruise experience.  Fares include tips, all beverages, stocked in-suite beverages and zodidac landings.  In addition to Tahiti cruises, the ship visits the Tuamotu Islands, the Marquesas and and the Austral Islands.  Eleven-day voyages begin at $3,897 per person, double occupancy.

Star Clippers is offering free round-trip air travel from Los Angeles to Tahiti on a wide selection of 2008/09 departures for those who book before Nov. 30, 2008.  Seven night cruises start at $2,045 and 10-night voyages begin at $3,175 per person, double occupancy.