It sleeps eight passengers in one four-berth and two twin cabins.

Escape Travel,part of the Flight Centre group,is selling the cruises for travel from March next year,during the dry season.

Prices start at $2040 a person twin-share,including all meals and activities but not the cost of getting to Aurukun. Direct flights operate from Cairns. Phone 1300 799 783 or seewww.escapetravel.com.au.

Round the Benz

Competition among Australian travel agents marketing Europe river cruises is producing some novel sightseeing extras.

Among the latest is a package featuring visits to the factories and museums of three of Germany's blue-ribbon car makers - BMW,Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.

The five-day package also includes visits to German castles and spa resorts,and has been tailored by Cruise Express as an add-on to two weeks of Rhine and Danube cruising in April or August next year.

Costs,including return air travel from Australia,start at $12,580 a person twin-share. Phone 1300 766 537 or seewww.cruiseexpress.com.au.

Passenger storm

Passengers on cruise ships affected by a succession of Caribbean hurricanes are reportedly philosophical about sudden itinerary changes. But there's apparently a limit to their tolerance.

When the liner Carnival Miracle detoured to avoid tropical storm Hanna,some passengers thought the change of course was so extreme they"virtually mutinied",according to comments posted on cruise websites.

The ship,originally due to visit Caribbean ports on an eight-night sailing from New York,was heading south to the Bahamas on a modified itinerary when the captain decided the storm could still prove a threat.

He turned the ship around and it ended up in Newport,Rhode Island,north of its departure point and 1600 kilometres off its original course.

Some passengers allegedly were so angry that they gathered in a group at the purser's desk chanting"refund,refund". One website posting described the scene as chaotic.