New. Tours for Mystery Island.

Son't know if this has been posted before - I've been away. Sounds interesting. :)

From Cruise Industry News:

Carnival Launches Mystery Island Tours

on 17 February 2015.

Carnival Australia has launched the first shore excursions at Mystery Island, according to a release.

Cruise passengers will be able to try four experiences during a visit to the Vanuatu destination including a glass bottom boat tour over the aqua waters, a guided snorkel safari on the reef, a glass bottom kayak excursion and stand up paddleboarding.

Two additional cultural tours of Aneityum’s Anelghowhat village will soon be available with highlights including a visit to a fish bone hut and the ruins of the Presbyterian church where missionary John Geddie helped bring an end to cannibalism.

Located in the southernmost Tafea province, Aneityum is known as the “last island in Vanuatu”.

Carnival Australia Destinations Director Michael Mihajlov said cruise ships had been calling at Mystery Island for 30 years but tours had only just been introduced in the remote region due to the absence of satellite communication, fuel supply, suitable management structures and insurance coverage as well as the challenges associated with transporting a boat to the island.

Kayaks and paddleboards have been carried to Mystery Island on P&O Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line ships.

“It has been a long road developing these excursions and providing the necessary resources to the community to manage them but we’re very excited about what the tours mean for the people of Aneityum and their beautiful cruise port Mystery Island,” Mihajlov said.

“We are passionate about working with the island communities we visit to create a sustainable tourism success story so that cruise ship visits deliver a positive experience for all.”

While other Carnival Australia cruise lines Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises and Holland America Line will also offer the tours, Carnival Cruise Line guests became the first to try the snorkel safari, glass bottom boat and paddleboarding when Carnival Spirit called at the island on Friday.

Carnival Cruise Line Vice President Australia and New Zealand Jennifer Vandekreeke said Mystery Island was the line’s most popular South Pacific destination and these tours would only make it more appealing.

“While we know our guests love simply going ashore and taking a stroll through the markets, posing for photos in the infamous cannibal pot or just enjoying the beach, these tours add a new dimension to the destination. Mystery Island is the perfect spot for a paddleboard, snorkel and glass bottom exploring and these experiences will be a real highlight for our guests,” Ms Vandekreeke said.

Cheers, thanks for posting, I suppose the other lines will do the same.:D

Nah, probably exclusive to Carnival. Other lines don't have the bulk traffic they do.

Perhaps Carnival will turn Mystery island into a "Princess Cay" of the south pacific.:D

Have to get the current owners to sell first. Don't think that's likely. ;-)

Not necessarily to own it but to lease it for exclusivity.

Hopefully it won't take away from the Islanders..the tours they offered where such great prices....love Mystery Island and looking forward to it again in a couple of weeks.

Hopefully it won't take away from the Islanders..the tours they offered where such great prices....love Mystery Island and looking forward to it again in a couple of weeks.

I have to say that was my first thought too - I hope the Islanders will benefit from this rather than going into the pockets of a cruise line.

Hopefully the islanders will still have their own tours advertised...the island has changed so much with everything they have on offer now and the advertising is all around the island...not like it used to be, only at the front of the island when you got off the tender.....but just love the place...don't think I could ever get sick of going there.

Thank You Sandielle for posting this :)

Might be another reason to go back to Mystery Island for the 5+ time :D