While there’s no doubt that Covid-19 has been incredibly trying for us all in the tourism industry, there has been a few silver linings. For Australia’s pioneering expedition cruise line Coral Expeditions, their fleet on three small ships usually spend half of the year plying the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, from Mauritius to New Zealand and beyond. However, over the past 18-months international voyages of this type have been impossible, so instead they’ve used this ‘downtime’ to devise a series of exciting new itineraries to lesser-visited parts of Australia’s vast coastline.'

 

Wild Islands & Walks of South Australia

 

One of the resultant itineraries that has us really excited is a ten-night ‘Wild Islands & Walks of South Australia’ programme departing from Adelaide between November 2021 and January 2022, and again in November 2022.

This new expedition provides travellers the chance to explore and hike South Australia’s most picturesque and wild islands, where forested National Parks give way to sheer wave-carved cliffs and sweeping white-sand beaches. Accompanied by expert guides, expeditioners will study the flora, fauna, and history of these remote island habitats and coastal National Parks. For those keen on an active adventure, there will be ample opportunities to cool down with invigorating ocean swims, board the kayaks for a paddle n the turquoise waters, and encounter some of Australia’s very-best native wildlife – inquisitive seals, shorebirds, rock wallabies, and many more. 

Back on board Coral Adventurer, guests will enjoy the tastes of South Australia, prepared onboard by chefs making use of the very best local ingredients including fresh regional seafood and hand-selected local wines.

 

 

South Australia’s many islands and gulf waters are amongst the best-kept secrets of the Australian coastline.  With over 5,000 kilometres of deserted shoreline and more than 300 islands, there’s a huge diversity of natural wilderness to explore. Highlights include spectacular bays and beaches, remote islands, and stunning sea cliffs. Best of all, most of it is wild and untouched, nature at its finest. That means these voyages offer a real sense of adventure and seclusion, and a vast array of wildlife. Many of the islands are important sanctuaries for birds, kangaroos, and wallabies, and especially seals and sea lions.  

While in true expedition style the itinerary remains flexible to make best use of the conditions each day, guests will spend multiple days exploring Kangaroo Island, Flinders and Troubridge islands and the Eyre Peninsula. At Coffin Bay, there will also the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable wild cuisine experience – hop into some waterproof waders and take a seat at the Saltwater Pavilion to shuck and taste your own delicious Coffin Bay Oysters. Some voyages will instead include a small boat cruise along the oyster beds to collect and enjoy them fresh from the sea.

 

 

 

 

Departure Dates & Information:

10 Nights | Departing & Arriving Adelaide | Onboard Coral Adventurer | See the full itinerary

Departures:  22 Nov 2021, 02 Dec 2021, 13 Dec 2021, 23 Dec 2021, 03 Jan 2022, 13 Jan 2022, 23 Jan 2022, 06 Nov 2022.

Prices (per person, twin share)

Bridge Deck Suite: $12,390

Explorer Deck Stateroom: $9,890

Promenade Deck Stateroom: $7,490

Coral Deck Stateroom: $6,390

Single traveller prices start from $9,585 in a Coral Deck Stateroom

 

To reserve your place on this exciting new expedition contact the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80 or email [email protected]

 

 

 

Your expedition ship - Coral Adventurer

 

Launched in early 2019, the state-of-the-art Coral Adventurer is purpose-built for cruising in the waters of Australia and the South Pacific. Coral Adventurer will operate these new South Australian voyages with a controlled capacity of just 99 guests on each voyage. 

Guests will enjoy spacious a choice of five grades of stateroom (over half of which feature private balconies), comfortable lounge areas and a stylish dining room that accommodates all travellers in one sitting. There’s also a selection of bars and ample deck space for those keen to find a bit of solo time to read a book or take in the views.

Travellers will enjoy Coral Adventurer’s flexible range of excursion tenders. Two unique Xplorer tenders make getting around in comfort a breeze, while a fleet of zodiacs are also on hand for thrilling small group adventures. There’s also kayaks available for those who are keen to head off an explore under their own steam. And, right throughout the voyage, you’ll be accompanied by a knowledgeable expedition team, considered by many to be the ‘best in the business’.

 

A note regarding Coral Expeditions' Covid-19 and Border Policies

 

Coral Expeditions made a successful return to cruising in October 2020 and their SailSAFE medical protocols are approved by all authorities. As a result, they are confident that their sailing schedules will operate as planned. They acknowledge that there will be government border restrictions from time to time that may restrict guests from travel. Coral Expeditions will communicate directly with all booked guests and travel agents regarding affected cruise terms. If you do not believe you will be able to travel, you may contact Coral Expeditions at any time citing a relevant government announcement and request a deferral. Note that the expectation of future announcement is not sufficient to grant a deferral. 

If, at any time before a voyage departs, any state or federal government announces a) inter-state border closures; b) new quarantine requirements or c) ‘hotspot’ lockdowns that result in any of the following outcomes: 

1. We will inform you that Coral Expeditions is cancelling the voyage.
2. You inform us that you are unable to join the voyage.

Guests will receive a 100% future cruise credit to defer their cruise with Coral Expeditions. Guests will also be protected against any rate increases on like for like itineraries and will have no fees or charges applied. The cruise credit has no expiry date and can be used on any future voyage with Coral Expeditions.

 

 

 

In April this year (2021), Australia’s Coral Expeditions launched their newest expedition ship, the state-of-the-art Coral Geographer.

Built by renowned shipbuilder VARD and a sister-ship to 2019’s Coral Adventurer, the Geographer accommodates 120 guests in 60 spacious staterooms, more than half of which feature a private balcony. Standout features of the new ship include a spacious dining room that accommodates all guests in a single sitting, a comfortable lounge (which doubles as a lecture room) and multiple bars both inside and out. For guests interested in the inner workings of an expedition ship, the ship’s engineer offers tours of the engine room while the Captain is more than happy to have travellers drop by the bridge for a chat and the opportunity to review the ship’s charts and track her progress.

 

 

There’s five grades of accommodation to select from aboard Coral Geographer, each offering individually-controlled air-conditioning, a choice of Junior King or twin bedding, stylish furnishings and a comfortable en suite. Each stateroom also has original Australian artwork depicting the locations you can explore aboard Coral Geographer. On the Coral and Promenade Decks, staterooms measure 18 square metres, while Explorer Deck Balcony Staterooms up the ante to 21 square metres and the top-of-the-range Bridge Deck Suites measure up at a spacious 35 square metres.

 

 

When you cruise aboard Coral Geographer you’ll appreciate how her unique range of excursion craft allows access to even the most hard-to-reach locations. Like most expedition ships of her size, Coral Geographer carries a fleet of heavy-duty inflatable Zodiacs for short, adventurous excursions, such as a thrilling ride through Horizontal Falls on her Kimberley cruises. But it’s her twin Xplorer excursion tenders make landing ashore and longer excursions up tidal rivers a breeze. Boarding tenders is also easy, a hydraulic platform raises these excursion craft out of the water for extra stability and avoids the need to get your feet wet.

 

 

Coral Geographer has been built to full SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) specifications, meaning she is fully equipped to cruise the oceans of the world. For now though, with Covid-19 making international sea travel difficult, you can cruise aboard the Coral Geographer on Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast (prices starting from $8,350 per person), and a range of other exciting itineraries to lesser visited parts of the Australian Coast. And, from early 2023 we can expect to see Coral Geographer plying the waters of Asia and the Indian Ocean as well.

You can find out more about Coral Geographer by clicking here, and you can also take a quick tour of the ship by viewing the video below.

 

 

To secure your place cruising the Kimberley (or further afield) aboard Coral Geographer call the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80.

 

With international travel still off limits for the foreseeable future for most Australians, we’re finding that more and more travellers are taking a closer look at their own backyard in 2020. And with strong interest, our best expedition and small ship cruise lines have been stepping up to the plate with some exciting new itineraries. 

Recently, we told you how small ship cruise operators on Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast have devised some innovative new itineraries for the second half of 2020, and now Australia’s pioneering expedition company Coral Expeditions has launched an ‘Outerknown Adventures on the Great Barrier Reef’ cruise from Cairns.

Aboard the yacht-like expedition vessel Coral Discoverer, which accommodates a maximum of just 72 guests in world-class comfort, there’s a series of nine departures on offer between 14 October and 9 December 2020.  These immersive 7-day adventures explore the remote and untouched Northern reef precinct and allow expeditioners to explore the hidden corners, uninhabited sand cays, small islands and pristine reef systems. 

 

 

This is a Great Barrier Reef itinerary like none other. Not only will there be ample time to explore the beautiful Ribbon Reefs and rarely-visited Osprey Reef through snorkelling, diving and glass bottom boat tours, there’s included excursions to experience the Daintree National Park and Daintree Rainforest. There’s also a visit to historic Cooktown, where there’s the opportunity to explore the fascinating James Cook Museum and time to experience some of the tropical north’s best island beaches at Lizard, Hope and Fitzroy islands.

Onboard Coral Discoverer, guests will be accompanied by an expert team of guides including a fully-qualified Marine Biologist. They will enjoy freshly prepared small-batch cuisine featuring the best local ingredients and relax and enjoy quality local beers and wines. With an intimate atmosphere and Coral Expeditions’ renowned warm Australian hospitality, you will quickly feel at home and make new connections with new friends.

 

7 Night Outerknown Adventures of the Great Barrier Reef

2020 Departure Dates:

October 14 – 21 2020

October 21 – 28 2020

October 28 – November 4 2020

November 4 – 11 2020

November 11 – 18 2020

November 18 – 25 2020

November 25 – December 2 2020

December 2 – 9 2020

December 9 – 16 2020

 

Click here to read the full Itinerary

Click here to see Coral Discoverer's Staterooms and Deck Plan

 

Cruise Prices

Prices are per person, twin share in Australian Dollars

Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom - $6,990 per person

Promenade Deck Stateroom - $6,190 per person

Main Deck A Stateroom - $5,290 per person

Main Deck B - $4,750 per person

 

There are limited single staterooms (Promenade B) available for $7,113 per person.

If travelling as a family, a limited number of children are accommodated at 25% of the adult fare.

 

 

Bonus Offer:

Book your Coral Discoverer Great Barrier Reef Cruise today and receive the following booking bonuses:

• $500 Travel Credit per person
• 1 Night of pre-cruise accommodation in Cairns
• Flexible Deposit – book now with 30 days to pay

 

For bookings and more information on Coral Discoverer's new 'Outerknown Adventures on the Great Barrier Reef'  freecall our expert team today on 1800 90 20 80 or email us.

 

 

Coral Expedition’s SailSAFE Plan

Coral Expeditions has introduced a new SailSAFE Plan. ensuring they operate responsibly in the new environment that COVID-19 has created.  Created in partnership with Respond Global, a specialist medical advisory agency, these new health protocols are among the most thorough in the world. 

With a focus on prevention, to target a 100% COVID free environment aboard Coral Expeditions’ fleet of expedition ships, there is a three-tiered medical screening system in place before boarding. This prevention protocol is supported by onboard mitigation actions and a thorough and compassionate response plan. 

Click here to read the full details of Coral Expeditions’ SailSAFE plan

 

Note that the Bonus Offer is valid for new bookings only from 16 July 2020 until sold out or withdrawn. $500 Travel Credit and pre-cruise accommodation not offered on child fares. All imagery courtesy of Coral Expeditions.

 

Albatros Expeditions, Denmark’s leading adventure cruise operator, has taken the next step in their fleet revitalisation project with the announcement that Ocean Albatros will join their Antarctic program in December 2022.

With a long history in adventure travel (dating back to 1986), Copenhagen-based Albatros (the Danish spelling of Albatross) operates their expedition cruises to the polar regions with an unmistakable Scandinavian flair. The new 189-passenger Ocean Albatros will join already-announced sister ship Ocean Victory in Antarctica, which is due to commence operations in November 2021. Both new vessels feature the latest Ulstein X-Bow, a concept developed to provide high stability in rough weather and high seas, technology which has also been employed on the latest newbuilds from Lindblad Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions.

 

 

The sister-ships will feature just 93 comfortable cabins and staterooms, all with a view of the ocean, (and 90% with their own balcony), several restaurants, a wellness area, the signature Albatros Nordic Bar, an al fresco dining area and a high-tech lecture lounge. There’s also a swimming pool, jacuzzies and pool bar, and what would a Scandinavian ship be without a sauna! 

Albatros’ new breed of expedition ship is built to Polar code 6 and Ice class 1A, with environmentally-friendly features including low-energy technology, four diesel engines and two electro engines, all controlled electronically to optimise speed and minimise fuel consumption. Albatros is also implementing the Green Initiative Program, ensuring absolute comfort and sustainability.

Throughout the expedition, travellers will partake in a range of excursions, from stepping ashore on the ice to wildlife viewing from a fleet of 18 zodiacs. All activities will be led by an experienced expedition team.

 

 

The inaugural season for the first of the two new vessels, Ocean Victory, will commence with their signature ten-day voyages from Ushuaia to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands in November 2021. Prices start at US$6,450 per person in a triple share cabin, or US$8,450 twin share. For the ultimate experience, you can reserve a spacious Premium Captain’s Suite from US$17,850 per person, twin share for the ten nights. For those with more time there’s also 19- and 22-day expeditions combining the Antarctic Peninsula with South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, and a series of expeditions discovering further afield in Patagonia and South America. 

For more information on how you can discover Antarctica aboard the new Ocean Victory or Ocean Albatros contact our expert team today on 1800 90 20 80. 

 

 

 

Ocean Victory Deckplan

 

Click here for Ocean Victory Cabin Descriptions

UPDATE - NEW SHIP ADDED - JANSSONIUS - BOOK NOW!

UPDATE - LAST AVAILABLE CABINS ABOARD THE NEW HONDIUS

ASK US HOW YOU CAN SAVE UP TO USD $1,000 PER PERSON WITH OUR EARLYBIRD SAVINGS

 

If you’ve got your eye on an expedition cruise to Antarctica in the next few years, you might just want to clear your calendar for November / December 2021. A total solar eclipse will occur over Antarctica on 4 December 2021, so don’t miss your chance to see one of Earth’s most wondrous cosmic events in one of Earth’s most magnificent locations. 

Though total solar eclipses occur somewhere in the world once every 18 months or so, they can only be seen along a very narrow path, so you need to ensure you're positioned right on the centre-line of the eclipse to experience full totality (total darkness during the day). And that’s exactly what you will get when you join a luxury small ship cruise down to Antarctica for this eclipse. You’ll enjoy a prime viewing position to see the moon transition in front of the sun, with 1 minute and 54 seconds of total darkness expected.

 

 

Of course, while the eclipse is without doubt a major highlight of this expedition, you will also enjoy all that Antarctica otherwise has to offer.  Three of the ships making this voyage will be the ice-strengthened Plancius (116 passengers), Ortelius (116 passengers - SOLD OUT) and the world's first Polar Class 6 expedition ship, the soon-to-be-launched 174 passenger Hondius. The full voyage takes 20 days and will visit the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctica Peninsula. 

On the morning of the eclipse, each of these ships will be positioned on the centre-line of the moon’s shadow, at the edge of the sea ice in the Weddell Sea, between the South Orkneys and South Georgia.

Here's an overview of what's on offer:

 

Aboard the NEW Janssonius - BOOK NOW!

 

 

Antarctic Peninsula - SOLAR ECLIPSE - South Georgia - Falkland Islands

Launching in 2021, the 174 passenger Janssonius is a sister-ship to the Hondius. Technologically-advanced with excellent eco-tourism credentials, the Janssonius offers a premium expedition cruising experience. 

More about Janssonius

Date: 25 November - 14 December 2021, 19 nights / 20 days 
Embarkation & disembarkation: Ushuaia

Prices per person, twin share in US Dollars:

· Quadruple Porthole: $16,400

· Triple Porthole: $17,900

· Twin Porthole: $19,800

· Twin Window: $20,600

· Twin Deluxe: $22,100

· Superior: $23,700

· Junior Suite: $25,400

· Grand Suite with private balcony: $29,150

 

Aboard Hondius  - Limited Cabins Remaining!

 

 

Antarctic Peninsula - SOLAR ECLIPSE - South Georgia - Falkland Islands

Launching in 2019, the 174 passenger Hondius is the world’s first-registered Polar Class 6 cruise ship. Technologically-advanced with excellent eco-tourism credentials, the Hondius sets a new standard in polar cruising.

More about Hondius

See the Itinerary

Date: 26 November - 15 December 2021, 19 nights / 20 days 
Embarkation & disembarkation: Ushuaia
 

LAST CABINS SELLING FAST!

Prices per person, twin share in US Dollars:

· Quadruple Porthole: WAITLIST

· Triple Porthole: WAITLIST

· Twin Porthole: WAITLIST

· Twin Window: WAITLIST

· Twin Deluxe: WAITLIST

· Superior: WAITLIST

· Junior Suite: $25,400

· Grand Suite with private balcony: $29,150

 

 

 

Aboard Ortelius - SOLD OUT!

 

 

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - SOLAR ECLIPSE - Antarctic Peninsula

Launched in 1989 as Marina Svetaeva for the Russian Academy of Science, Ortelius caters to just 116 guests and is ice-rated to the highest levels (equivalent to 1A) and is therefore very suitable to navigate the ice packs of the Polar regions.

More about Ortelius

See the Itinerary

Date: 24 November - 13 December 2021, 19 nights / 20 days
Embarkation & disembarkation: Ushuaia

Prices per person, twin share in US Dollars:

· Quadruple Porthole: $16,400 - SOLD OUT

· Triple Porthole: $17,900 - SOLD OUT

· Twin Porthole: $19,800 - SOLD OUT

· Twin Window: $20,600 - SOLD OUT

· Twin Deluxe: $22,100 - SOLD OUT

· Superior: $23,700 - SOLD OUT

 

 

Aboard Plancius - SOLD OUT!

 

 

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - SOLAR ECLIPSE - Antarctic Peninsula

The ice-strengthened 116 passenger vessel Plancius is an excellent vessel for polar expedition cruises in both the Arctic and Antarctica.

More about Plancius

See the Itinerary

Date: 23 November - 12 December 2021, 19 nights / 20 days
Embarkation & disembarkation: Ushuaia
 

Prices per person, twin share in US Dollars:

· Quadruple Porthole: SOLD OUT

· Triple Porthole: SOLD OUT

· Twin Porthole: SOLD OUT

· Twin Window: SOLD OUT

· Twin Deluxe: SOLD OUT

· Superior: SOLD OUT

 

Single travellers are accommodated on each ship upon payment of a single supplement of between 70% and 100%.

 

 

The goal on this itinerary is of course to experience the total eclipse, but please keep in mind the polar regions are known for their unpredictability. There’s always the chance overcast skies may hinder visibility and that adverse conditions may alter certain details of the pre-planned route. Plancius and Ortelius are scheduled to make the trip clockwise, while Hondius will make it counter-clockwise.

These once-in-a-lifetime voyages combining the best of Antarctica with a total solar eclipse are sure to sell fast. Secure your place today by calling the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists on 1800 90 20 80 or email [email protected]

 

All availability accurate as at 17 May 2019 and is subject to change.