Food is life

Food plays a vital role in providing variety, social opportunities and the first layer of insulation against the cold! The dining area, known as the mess, provides cafe-style dining, with a large self-serve counter stocked with delicious and nutritious food for three main meals a day. Expeditioners take their meal breaks in shifts, and a dedicated kitchen team provides a varied menu.

Nuyina's galley is a full-scale commercial kitchen with ovens, cooktops, microwaves and a bread maker. A scullery and industrial dish washing facilities are operated by expeditioners who volunteer in the 'slushy' or kitchenhand role. Fresh food is more abundant during the first weeks of a voyage, but the creative chefs have enough supplies to produce continuously delicious meals for months at sea.

Home away from home

Nuyina accommodates 117 expeditioners and 32 crew. Expeditioners share a two-person cabin with an ensuite. Each cabin has individual desk spaces with bookshelves and locker storage space for clothes, personal effects and survival kits. There's a laundry on each accommodation deck so people can wash, dry and iron their clothes.

A comfortable lounge provides seating and a space to socialise and relax outside the cabins. There are many conference and meeting rooms, incuding a theatrette with seating for up to 80 people. This is used for briefings and training. It's also the venue for movie nights on the ship, a popular pastime for those whiling away the hours in transit! The library has books and magazines to suit everyone's tastes.

There's a gym on board for those who like to keep active. It's as well equipped as any facility in Australia, with modern exercise bikes, rowing machines, treadmills and cross-trainers. A weight frame, bench presses and non-rolling weights accommodate those who like to lift, and there's plenty of floor space with mats for pilates or yoga.