The Breeze 51

I'd like to wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2010. This is the time when many New Zealanders and international visitors take a break and wind down from the busy period, and of course for the tourism industry its our busiest period. We have some great specials coming up with our cruise ship escort cruises, Quail Island treasure hunt and free fish and chips cruise in Akaroa. Also below are details of our new web site and the latest in wildlife sightings.

Cheers Paul

New Website

We have just launched a brand new web site design at www.blackcat.co.nz There is a new look and layout and we have simplified and rewritten most of the copy. The other main change is the new site has more images and slide shows so is more graphical in nature. There is also a trade section. We hope you like it!

Dolphin Calves Sighted

The first Hector's dolphin calves of the year have appeared with two seen in Lyttelton last week and one in Akaroa Harbour. The dolphins are quite dark when first born and some have stripes which fade quickly. A baby Hectors is only marginally larger than a rugby ball, so they are quite vulnerable when first born. It's vital these dolphins survive because they are literally the future of the species.

Free Fish & Chips

We are combining two of Akaroa's greatest treats. A cruise on the harbour and the world famous Akaroa fish and chips. Every customer on our 3.40pm Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise can proceed straight off the cruise for a free dinner. What could be better? This promotion runs from Dec 26th 2009 to Feb 28th 2010.

The Cove

We recently had a special screening for our Akaroa customers of The Cove. If you get a chance to see this on DVD, it's a worthwhile and moving account of how a team of freedivers, filmmakers and activists expose the needless and barbaric slaughter of dolphins in Japan. It seems all the environmental talk these days is on climate change. I'd challenge anyone to watch this movie without shedding a tear!

Escort a Cruise Ship

This year why not join us for an up close look at the huge Diamond Princess? Our two hour escort cruises are a great deal at only $35 for adults and $15 for kids. You'll get up close views of the cruise ship as she departs Lyttelton and hear some great stories about the floating hotels. Dates are Wednesday 13 January, Saturday 6 February and Friday 12 February departing at 5.30pm. There is also a special Valentines Day cruise with champagne and chocolate with Dawn Princess for $45 per person. Call 03 328 9078 to book.

F1 Ferry

We have a new boat into our fleet as a back up Diamond Harbour Ferry. Although she is new to us she has been round a while being the very first Fiordlander that Real Journeys built and has spent its life in the Southern Lakes of Te Anau, Milford and lately Wakatipu as back up to Earnslaw. She has even carried many VIPs including the Queen herself and makes a great addition to our fleet.

Xmas Day Cruises

We are running a limited cruise schedule on Christmas day with limited availability. We still have space on the Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise at 11.00am and the Christchurch Wildlife Cruise at 1.30pm. There are a few swimming with dolphins spaces still free. Call us for details.

Quail Island Treasure Hunt

The big treasure hunt is back on. This year we have great prizes too. One lucky winner will receive a Real Journeys overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound and everyone who completes the treasure hunt will be getting some real treasure – a gold crunchie bar!

Mo-vember Lyttelton Staff

Skippers in Lyttelton fronted up this year for Movember which is an annual fundraiser event aimed at increasing awareness for prostate cancer. Here is a shot of the final results! You can still donate to the cause by clicking here

Black Cat at Canterbury Show and Santa Parade

We took part in two Canterbury events recently, the Canterbury Show, where we had a display manned by our team, and the Santa parade (pictured below) where our pirates and Hector the dolphin accompanied the Black Pearl on the annual event. Both attracted enthusiastic responses from the audiences of over 100,000 people each.

Great Feedback

Hi, Just wanted to say thanks to all the staff who helped us get our car keys back from Quail Island last Wednesday - we are very grateful! Everyone was so friendly and helpful - and we will certainly be recommending the island to any of our friends who go to NZ! Thanks again, Victoria

I had the pleasure to be part of the Akaroa Area School Fundraiser held last week. This included a fantastic Akaroa harbour cruise, a wonderful seafood buffet with live entertainment. The weather gods presented a perfect evening and the wildlife rallied in support of our cause. What a truly magical night and an awesome experience for those who supported this fundraising event. This success was due to fantastic generosity accorded to the project by your company Akaroa Black Cat Cruises. Without your support we could not have undertaken such an activity. The outcome was extremely positive with Gary Brittenden and his talented support team raising just under $4000 to support the Akaroa Area School Stars programme for 2010. The K2 Youth Development Trust wish to acknowledge your support in this formal letter of thanks and reiterate that together we are making a difference in your very special community.
Thank you so much.
Terrence Courtney, K2 Youth Development Trust.

Did you know...

A sad story. Recently we had a cuviars beaked whale calf (baby) attempt to beach itself in Akaroa on a reef near the main wharf. The whale did free itself and headed out to sea. But 24 hours later another whale, probably its mother, was found on a Christchurch beach and died. It's likely that the two got separated from each other – how and why we don't know. The two whales both beached near to people despite there being thousands of miles of coastline where they would never have been seen. Was this a cry for help or a coincidence?