By Marcia Abramson
However, he left Impressionism behind in his Parisian birthplace to become the leading exponent of the Modern Art Movement of the late 19th century. His influence was felt in poster design by Toulouse Lautrec by his use of pure unmixed colors, symbolism and decorative color arrangements. But the South Seas and Tahiti are not the primitive havens of Gauguin's life time, particularly with the advent of Radisson's Seven Seas' ultra-luxurious cruise ship, "The Paul Gauguin," being based in Tahiti year-round since January 1998. It sails every Saturday for seven days and visits Radisson's private islet of Motu Mahana, Bora Bora and Moorea, and is truly elegant with a two-star Michelin French chef's cuisine, complimentary water sports and her own retractable marina. Mark Conroy, president of Radisson Seven Seas, takes great pride in the luxury features of his cruise line with all staterooms featuring ocean views (50 percent with private balconies. Additionally, their partnership with the famed ocean explorer, Jean- Michel Cousteau, has added a great deal to the many programs offered to Radisson's guests. According to Mark Conroy, Cousteau has been an established part of the cruise line's enrichment program starting in Tahiti in 1999. As a matter of fact, I did attend one of Cousteau's lectures on a recent cruise to Bermuda aboard the elegant vessel, the Navigator, and was impressed with his commitment to preserve the purity of marine life.As a matter of fact, he was fast to point out that the great movie "Jaws" filmed off Long Island's waters was based on his father Cousteau Srs. exploits. Inspiring people with their love of the sea has been a Cousteau family tradition from father to son to grandson thus far. Jean-Michel Cousteau's interests seem to be intensely scholarly. He is very involved with promoting his Ocean Futures Society (OFS) and together with Mark Conroy of Radisson has established enrichment programs geared to youngsters who accompany parents and/or grandparents on cruise vacations. These programs started in Tahiti six years ago and have been extended to every ship in the fleet. The highlight of the program is Cousteau himself. He is scheduled to accompany the Amazon, Falklands and Chilean Fjords segments of the Seven Seas Mariner 62-night "Grand Circle South America" voyage Jan. 10, 2006. Cousteau and other naturalists, Brianne Jones, Estelle Davies and Laura Brand, will lead informal workshops, including open forum discussions about environmental issues in the regions visited. Lecture topics include Sharks at Risk; Treasures on the Reef-Sustainable Reefs; Close Encounters with Our Ocean Cousins-Marine Mammal Stories; and Finding Nemo with Jean-Michael Cousteau. The signature program is the "Ambassadors of the Environment," which makes its home on the Paul Gauguin. It is held during the summer months, from June 11 through Aug. 20 this year. The program highlights methods in experimental education mastered by Cousteau. The goal is to give young cruise guest participants, ages nine to 15, direct interactive experience with and knowledge of marine and island ecosystems, emphasizing the critical importance of coral reefs, sustainable lifestyles and traditional Polynesian culture. Children will hike, snorkel and dive with experienced counselors. The counselors all have college degrees in natural or environmental science and have experience with young people. They will lead the children on explorations to look for dolphins and manta rays, explore the rain forests and visit Polynesian temples to learn about people and their culture. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet Polynesian youths who will show them how to paddle an outrigger canoe, prepare traditional food and dance Polynesian style. Special team-building games will teach them the ways nature conservation contributes to daily life in the islands. It is hoped that the "Ambassadors" will share their new skills and insights with friends when they return home. Original shipboard television programming will cap off this innovative partnership. Cousteau and the Ocean Future Society will supply Radisson Seven Seas with oceanography, wildlife and environment expedition video programs for all in-stateroom TVs on every cruise throughout Radisson's fleet. On some sailings guests will even have the opportunity to "dive without getting their feet wet." On these sailings, the Ocean Futures Society will take the scuba experience a step further through live-dive uplinks to the ship. Guests will be able to watch the divers broadcasting from underwater, and then have the exclusive opportunity to ask questions about what they are seeing in the blue waters far below the ship. For further information to plan your voyage, contact Radisson Seven Seas Cruises at (800) 285-1835 or visit the website: www.rssc.com or your travel professional.
Copyright Marcia AbramsonE-mail: mascribe@aol.com
