Enrichment speaker, Millenium, Celebrity Cruises

Australia, New Zealand, Feb - April 2009

I worked as an enrichment speaker for a series of cruises on board the 2000 passenger Millenium.

The ship cruised from Australia to New Zealand, including the ports of Sydney, Newcastle, Philip Island, Melbourne, Hobart, then across the Tasman Sea, and through Fiordland, Dunedin, Akaroa, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, White Island and Auckland.

I gave lectures in the well appointed Celebrity Guest Theatre, and my subjects included:

'Dangerous Creatures of Australia'

'Cute and cuddly critters of Australia'

'Oceans and Seas around Australia and New Zealand'

'Seashores of Australia'

'Seashores of New Zealand'

'Rainforest of New Zealand'.

Because of the open ocean crossings and the colder southern waters, there were lots of seabirds and mammals to be seen. There were various petrels, storm petrels, and every crossing of the Tasman (a breeze in this large ship), saw several mollymawk and albatross, including many Wandering Albatross, the largest seabirds in the world, as well as lesser seen Great Petrels. There were even 'little penguins' near the ship at port in Tauranga. (This also provided lots of great for material for the "Ocean Surfaces of Australia" book.)

During the trips I also got the chance to visit various Parks, Zoos, & Aquarium for material for upcoming Ecosystem Guides books. And when in New Zealand, I got to go out with old buddy Mark Steadman, an Australian Zoologist stranded in Dunedin, NZ. This place is arguably the wildlife capital of New Zealand, with penguins, albatross and seals to be found.

We went looking for a giant dead sunfish, (biggest fsh in the world) as well as various other critters including the rare'ish NZ (or Hookers) Sealion (pictured).

For information about Damon Ramsey's services, including lecturing