Captains Log

Affinity heads south to Stewart Island

The vessel Affinity left Picton on Friday 4th May to head south for the start of our winter cruising season at Stewart Island and then onto Fiordland for June, July and August.

On the way down the east coast of the south island Diane, co-owner of the vessel, put the trawling lines over the aft to see if she could land a tuna and yes she did. On the first day they hauled in a 5kg tuna and then the next day they caught a 8kg tuna. Great work crew, we in the office are looking forward to tuna steaks on the BBQ for lunch when Diane returns to the office.

On Saturday night the crew had the pleasure of a large pod of dolphins riding the bow waves for quite a while, a magnificent sight to see as the phosphorescent waves where glowing with a nearly full moon, “if only they thought to take some photos for us in the office!”

The crew also mentioned that there is a lot of fish life just under the surface as they can see them schooling as the cruise on down the coast and there is also many large seabirds following them – it might have something to do with the tuna they caught.

Marlborough Sounds Captain Cook Cruise was a huge SUCCESS!

Captain Brian, Crew and Passengers thoroughly enjoyed John Robson's talks and his passion for Captain Cook "he was truly interesting, had extensive knowledge, and was a very approachable person".

The journey took them to d'Urville Island to view the location and plaque where Captain Cook departed New Zealand shores to cross the Tasman Sea during his first voyage, 31st March 1770 as well as other sites of importance to his visits.

If you don't want to miss out next year give us a call on 0800 862 334 or email sales@affinitycruises.co.nz to register your interest.

Janet's Travel Log (Affinity Cruises Office Crew).  August 2011 - Fiordland.

"BIG"!  The word I would use to describe the landscape.  Flying from Te Anau to Luncheon Cove on Anchor Island in Dusky Sound in an R44 Helicopter.  Sunshine, Snow, Rainbow, Mist - BIG!

The size, majesty and grandeur is hard to take in.  We land on the fishermans wharf to waves and welcomes from Affinity.  It was heart warming to be greeted with smiles and waves, and by our first names by passengers we had yet to get acquainted with!  They seem like a very friendly lot.

Skipper Brian, Deckhand Gael and Cook Wendy are busy on board - time for a quick hello.  Gael shows us to our cabin - No 7 and gives us a few pointers on shipboard life.

Brian has decided today we will go to Pigeon Island.  The sound is a maze of islands and waterways - 365 in Dusky alone.  We enjoy freshly made muffins for morning tea on our way to Richard Henry's hangout - Pigeon Island.  What an isolated place for Richard to survive/thrive for so many years.  We saw the remains of the chimney that was in his home and the moss covered punga logs that formed his bird aviary.  A beautiful friendly Robin and another bird kept us company on our exploration across the island.

Lunch was ready on our return - freshly caught blue cod chowder, scones and bread - hearty, plenty, filling, tasty.

Our afternoon disappeared cruising in and out of some delightful bays - Earshell Cove - the internal area landlocked.  Afternoon tea - more of those delicious muffins and some bikkies.  Followed up by a spot of fishing. 

Tonight we have cruised back into Luncheon Cove, where we began our day.  The boat is tucked up and darkness is falling in Dusky Sound.  Nibbles and a glass of wine, dinner at 7pm and then Brian and Gael work out our plans for tomorrow and fill in today's route on everyones maps.  Wendy asks for porridge orders for breakfast.  After a day at sea everyone is ready for bed by 10pm.

Excerpt from Travel Log - Day 1 of 5 Days in Fiordland

Vicky's Travel Log (Affinity Cruises Office Manager).  May 2011 - Stewart Island.

Well it's taken me a few years to finally experience one of our cruises at Stewart Island, but I finally got there and had a great time!  As usual it was fairly hectic in the week leading up to my cruise departure - getting everything up to date in the office, and organising the kids to stay with Nanny while Kevin and I were away on the cruise.  Packing was a mission for me!  I am known to take far too much stuff even when I'm just going away for a weekend.  After three repacks and a change of suitcase to a slightly bigger one I was ready for my adventure.  We arrived at Invercargill airport in the dark, but the twinkling night lights showed us just how big the city was.  The airport shuttle was there to pick us up and we were at the Kelvin Hotel soon after for a restful night's sleep.

We talked to a few of the locals about heading over to Stewart Island via the ferry and a few of them laughed and said "hope you have a smooth sailing" - it made me feel rather apprehensive (this was a good thing as I now know how some of our passengers might feel).  So the night before the ferry I took a sea sick tablet - just in case!  And guess what?  It was a little bit bumpy but we arrived at the island and I felt fine. 

The Stewart Island Experience staff are very knowledgeable and friendly - from the coach driver who picked us up for the ferry, to the crew on board the ferry, and the staff on Stewart Island.  

Kevin and I joined Affinity two days into the cruise due to our work commitments, so we arrived just in time to meet up with the rest of our passengers as they set off on the Stewart Island Bays & Village Tour.  This was the first time we had included the tour with our cruise and I felt it was a wonderful addition which gave us all a great insight into the lives of the 400 permanent residents that live on the island.  We will continue to include this tour in the future.

We spent the next four days walking on well maintained tracks of various distances that took us through regenerating forests, along pristine beaches, over rivers and along quiet roads.  The guided tour of Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary was enchanting.  I was waiting for magical creatures to jump out from behind one of the amazingly large old trees.  One of the beaches we visited had sand the colour of sugar graded in layers up the beach towards the treeline - raw sugar, followed by normal sugar, followed by icing sugar - it was untouched and dramatic.  We also had the opportunity to go fishing and I was delighted to catch some good sized blue cod.

The weather was fairly settled while we were there with only light showers at the end of one of the walks.  The temperature was mild -  not cold at all; we were in T Shirts and jeans for most of the time which surprised me.

All too soon the cruise was over.  The crew have a passion for what they are doing and the areas they visit, and it really shows through.  The food that comes out of the small galley is amazing and the vessel Affinity is warm, homely and comfortable.  I expect the best from our vessel and crew and I am pleased to be able to say I am delighted they are delivering!  I am proud to be working for Affinity Cruises to be able to make this very special experience available to others.

I look forward to my next cruise which will be in the Marlborough Sounds.

After the great success of our first themed cruise in Fiordland this year we have decided in consultation with our past clients to do a few more ‘themed cruises'.

Our first themed cruise for the 2011 season is going to be a 'Photography Cruise' in the Marlborough Sounds.

We have teamed up with West Coast Freelance Photographer Nicki Mora (www.nickimoraphotography.com) to provide a cruising experience not to be forgotten in one of our National Treasures - The Marlborough Sounds.

Nicki will share with you her passion for photography, teaching you how to use your own camera to get those ‘picture perfect' photos you have always wanted whilst cruising for 5 nights/6 days in arguably one of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the world.

Nicki will explain how to use your ‘run of the mill' camera and all those camera settings that have always been a mystery and in the evenings she will talk you through how to enhance your photos with the aid of a computer. Departing 12 January 2011 and returning 17 January 2011.

For more details on this exciting cruise email sales@affinitycruises.co.nz or phone 0800 862 334.

July 2010 - Report about our Astronomer's Cruise.

The Skipper of Affinity Captain Brian Appleby says that Ian Morison our onboard astronomer would be the most knowledgeable man that he has ever had the good fortune to meet.  We had very clear skies for 5 of the 6 nights and most mornings as well (that's the beauty of cruising in Fiordland during the winter months).

One of the passengers mentioned that he thought he may not know enough about stars and things and nearly didn't come, but he found the talks to be on a level that he understood and was thrilled that he joined the cruise.

Ian commented that the sky was as clear as any that he had ever seen in the southern hemisphere.  He saw things that he had seldom seen before.  The cruise was a great experience, and very enjoyable for both himself and his wife.

Also a keen photographer, Ian really enjoyed the scenery. He gave many of us onboard helpful hints on using our cameras; a huge bonus in such a beautiful place as Fiordland.

All the passengers really enjoyed having someone on board with so much knowledge of astronomy and when Ian presented all of us with a CD of the talks that he gave, including the photos that he used in his presentations, everyone was delighted as it is something that they can show their friends for years to come of their wonderful experience with the stars.

Ian also caught himself a large blue cod, what a bonus!

A highlight for our crew was when Ian took a photo from the top deck and then transferred the photo onto his computer. The photo was truly amazing and will stay in Gael's mind (our decky) for ever.  Gael thought that the week was a very powerful experience for everyone and she now has a new hobby of star grazing.

Affinity's Astronomers Cruise - July 2010.