Island craze
MANILA, Philippines - As a country composed of 7,107 islands, sometimes we don’t really realize that here in the Philippines we are all truly islanders. Tropical weather? Check. Coconut and palm trees? Check. White-sand beaches? Check. But have you been to all of them… in a single day?
The M/S 7107 Island Cruise Ship does just that. It’s island hopping taken to a whole new level. And with the “Fly and Cruise, Pay Later” package, you don’t have to worry about finding your local paradise — right now.
Operating the 5,113-ton vessel is 7107 Islands Shipping Corporation. The ship has 137 fully air-conditioned cabins, with hot and cold showers, TVs and DVD players. It also has a swimming pool where guests are invited to relax and swim while gazing at the islands passing by (yes, islands and not buildings, for a change), enjoying a nice cool cocktail drink by the pool bar while having a deep-tissue massage on the sundeck with only the sound of waves and ocean breeze to rejuvenate you. The ship also has three function rooms named after the islands of Coron, Boracay, and Puerto Galera. Its capacity is good for only 350 people, so you can rent the whole ship for a great time with family, colleagues and friends. Share intimate and unforgettable moments with loved ones against a backdrop of Coron Island, with its majestic limestone cliffs and intricate rock formations; or view the spectacular sunset of Boracay island, watching the island come alive along the shoreline.
The best part of all is that the cruise takes you into the very heart of the Calamianes where a pontoon brings you to the islands of Ditaytayan, Malcapuya, Panlaitan and other island destinations. These lesser-known islands are virtually untouched, and totally beautiful. These are the destinations of tomorrow and only the M/S 7107 Islands Cruise Ship can bring you there in style. Escape into these islands for a romantic dinner, a sunset cocktail, or a snorkeling trip with family. The waters are so clean and pure that it’s easy to see the flourishing coral reefs from the pontoon.
Ditaytayan Island is a 96-hectare island made up mostly of powder-white sand and lush forests, reminiscent of Boracay back in the ‘80s. It has long swirling sand bars on both ends and at the center is a huge sand bar overlooking the sunrise and sunset. It is a secret paradise that soon will be transformed to the next party island with artists’ villages and boutique resorts.
Malcapuya is another haven. With monkeys swinging overhead, and wild ducks and dugong swimming around, it’s a back-to-nature haven, though the cove and nipa huts are where guests prefer to take their siesta.
Panlaitan is another island near the famous Black Island and its shipwreck sites. It is located at the other side of Busuanga. Panlaitan has a long stretch of white sand beach and the coral is so near the shore that snorkeling is not even necessary: you can see the marine life from above the water. Dibotunay is nearby and also a fantastic place for a picnic while sunbathing or swimming.
Aside from the islands mentioned above, guests can island-hop to other nearby islands such as Banana Island, Malaroyroy, Cheron, and so on.
These islands are what inspired British novelist Alex Garland to write The Beach; and the World War II wrecks submerged in the waters along with the abundance of endemic and exotic marine life are the reasons Jacques Cousteau kept returning for his dives. Hailed by National Geographic as having the best beaches in the world and Forbes magazine as one of the best dive sites in the world, it beats the Bahamas by a long run.
The island craze? It’s only just begun.
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For more inquiries and bookings please visit www.7107islandscruise.net or call (+632) 887 7107. E-mail reservations@7107islandscruise.net if you can’t wait to begin the cruise.
