Having A Whale Of A Time

WHALE-watching cruise industry pioneer Frank Future came to Port Stephens 20 years ago, fell in love with the area, and decided to stay.

Tuckey Is Past His Use-by Date With Some Other Libs > Kerry-anne Walsh

WHO would have thought that the sartorially challenged "gentleman" of the bush, federal MP Wilson Tuckey, could get a gig sailing the high seas entertaining cruise ship cocktail-sippers with robust tales about life in Parliament.

Peace Breaks Out On Holiday

David Sygall finds the island's heart is still welcoming, despite the travel warnings.

Ships Lavish Attention

NEWCASTLE is cementing itself as a high-quality cruise destination with one of the world's most lavish ships confirming it will make three visits from late next year.

Women's Travel Club Offers Advantages

ALTHOUGH Enid Sherwin is having perhaps the best time of her life travelling constantly, she would like to have a companion to share the experiences and cut down on costs.

Secret Inspectors To Board Cruise Ships

THE State Government plans to send liquor and gaming inspectors on covert inspections of P&O Cruises after the Dianne Brimble affair, but the inspectors will be powerless to do anything if cruise staff fall out of line.

Truce Monitors Warned To Keep Off Navy Ships

SRI LANKA'S Tamil Tiger rebels have told truce monitors that they travel aboard navy ships at their peril after the worst military confrontation since a 2002 truce halted two decades of civil war.

Tomfoolery Proves Mission Improbable For Waning King Of Hollywood

FOR two decades, Tom Cruise has been Hollywood's $US100 million-dollar man. From 1986's Top Gun to last year's War of the Worlds, he has starred in 12 films that have earned nine-figure sums.

Travel Can Be A Trip Or A Stumble

I HAVE no problem with Jennifer Hawkins tripping the light fantastic. The former Miss Universe cuts a fine figure on Dancing with the Stars. Sure, Todd McKenney reckons her core body strength needs work but she seems prepared to pull out all stops in pursuit of the perfect paso doble.

Travellers Itching To Stay

A TRAVEL bug is sweeping the Hunter and it comes in the form of a fast, rust-brown wingless insect.

Doing Replaces Seeing

Several short breaks a year look set to replace the traditional big trip at Christmas, as will "experience-driven travel", says Liza Power.