Category Archives: General

 

It’s long been our Amazon Rainforest bucket list cruise, and now the Delfin I’s luxe status has been enhanced following a stunning refurb in early 2025.

Returning to service in Peru’s Pacaya Samiria National Reserve during April, the re-imagined Delfin I combines classical design with contemporary updates. Accommodating just eight expeditioners in four luxuriously-appointed, oversized suites, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime Amazon experience. Each Master Suite features a private panoramic terrace - while the two Deluxe Suites add a private whirlpool for real ‘WOW factor’. There’s also floor-to-ceiling windows, inviting the sights and sounds of the Amazon rainforest directly into your suite, ensuring an immersive connection with nature. You will also enjoy newly remodelled bathrooms, while your suite will be serviced three times each day to ensure you feel totally pampered.

 

 

On Delfin 1’s top deck, travellers can relax in a newly-designed lounge area, which comes complete with comfy sofas and a big screen tv, while panoramic windows are likely to draw your eyes to the rainforest views outside. You can enjoy handcrafted cocktails at the bar and stargaze under one of the clearest skies in the world. These thoughtful enhancements reflect Delfin’s commitment to creating elevated, small-group experiences while harmonising with the natural environment. 

 

 

In the intimate dining room, you will embark on a culinary journey through Peru and the Amazon. In 2017, Delfin Amazon Cruises became the first cruise line in the world to be accepted into the prestigious Relais & Châteaux family. This recognition recognises not only Delfin’s culinary excellence but also a deep commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and unparalleled service. Delfin believes that every dish should tell a story, crafted by expert local chefs who work with seasonal produce to bring the region’s most extraordinary menus to life. 

 

 

The chefs work closely with local producers, ensuring that every ingredient is fresh, sustainable, and deeply tied to the region. This philosophy extends beyond the kitchen - Delfin maintains its own seasonal garden in Iquitos, an educational initiative that teaches local children about sustainable farming and nutrition.

 

 

There’s also been stylish updates to the ship’s exterior, including an air-conditioned observation deck and observatory balconies. The vessel’s new solar panels generate clean energy, further advancing Delfin’s pledge to sustainability and stewardship of the Amazon. 

 

 

Delfin 1 operates year-round three- and four-night cruises through the Upper Peruvian Amazon, where the Andes mountains yield to dense jungle. Spanning over 5 million acres, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is the largest protected flooded forest on Earth. During your cruise, you will be accompanied by naturalists and local guides as you visit untouched communities ashore or kayak through the rainforest. Comfortable skiffs get you up close and personal with wildlife including pink river dolphins, sloths and myriad birdlife. 

We’re often asked by our travellers about the best time of year to experience the Peruvian Amazon. Keep in mind that The Amazon is warm and humid year-round, with daily temperatures typically averaging between a minimum 21°C (70°F) and maximum 33°C (95°F).  However, the landscape transforms with the two distinct ‘water seasons’:

• High-water season (December to May) – 85% of the reserve is flooded, allowing deeper exploration by boat into hidden lagoons and forest canopies.
• Low-water season (June to November) – Water levels recede, revealing trails and riverbanks, ideal for walking excursions and wildlife sightings.

 

 

A Delfin 1 cruise through the Amazon Rainforest truly is an unforgettable adventure. Experiences like this don’t come cheap though, with the 3-night cruise starting at USD $5,000 per person and the 4-night cruise at USD $6,600 per person. It is important to keep in mind that you’re travelling in an intimate group of no more than four couples, enjoying luxurious surrounds, outstanding dining and incredible small group naturalist-led excursions. This is a travel experience that will live on in your memory forever.

If your budget simply cannot extend that far, the larger 44-passenger sister-ship Delfin III offers similar itineraries, priced at approximately 25% below Delfin 1 prices.

To find out more about Delfin’s 2025 & 2026 Amazon cruises, contact the team at Expedition Cruises Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80 or visit https://www.expeditioncruisespecialists.com/ships/delphini

 

 

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Expedition Cruise Specialists is offering $5,000 per couple in travel credits when you book your 2026 Coral Adventurer or Coral Geographer Kimberley cruise before 30 September 2025.

Coral Expeditions pioneered Kimberley Cruising back in 1996, and today they operate a fleet of three modern small ships, including the state-of-the-art new builds Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer. These 120-traveller expedition ships have been purpose-built for cruising the Kimberley Coast, and the ten-night itinerary between Darwin and Broome incorporates all of the region’s key icons, along with a few secret spots as well.

 

 

 

 

One of the great advantages of discovering the Kimberley with Coral Expeditions is their unique range of excursion tenders. A fleet of inflatable zodiacs are on hand for short, adventurous outings, while longer excursions make use of Coral’s signature Xplorer excursion craft (individual eating, roof, toilet, PA system), allowing access to even the most hard-to-reach locations along the coast. These Xplorers come into their own when it's time to explore locations like the Prince Regent River and King Cascades. This iconic waterfall is located 27km up the Prince Regent, simply too far to travel in zodiacs with any comfort. It is for that reason that most other companies with similar sized vessels omit this site, which is a real pity. But with Coral Expeditions it is a breeze to get up to the falls in style and total comfort aboard Xplorer.

 

 

Coral Expeditions is renowned for having some of the best expedition teams and lecturers in the business. This is important when it comes to Kimberley cruising as you really do rely on that knowledge the expedition team is imparting to gain a full appreciation for the history, geology and landscapes of the region. When you’re not off exploring the sights, you’ll enjoy the professional, engaging service offered by the all-Australian crew.

On board your expedition ship you’ll enjoy ample space to relax and take in the spectacular Kimberley. The stylish, open-seat dining room accommodates all guests in one sitting, while there’s four grades of accommodation to choose from, each offering a comfortable retreat after a busy day of exploration. Generously sized, staterooms come equipped with a private en suite, your choice of twin or junior king beds and either portholes, window or a balcony. For the ultimate indulgence, a limited number of Bridge Deck Suites are also available.

 

 

 

 

Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer operate in the Kimberley between March and September each year, and by booking early with Expedition Cruise Specialists you can receive $5,000 per couple in travel credits on 2026 cruises. 

Travel credits are available as follows:

 

Balcony Suites and Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom

Receive $5,000 per couple in travel credits on all 2026 cruise dates when you book by 30 September 2025.

 

 

Coral & Promenade Deck Staterooms

Receive $5,000 per couple in travel credits on the following 2026 cruise dates when you book by 30 September 2025.

• 19 March - Darwin to Broome - Coral Geographer
• 13 May - Darwin to Broome - Coral Adventurer
• 14 May - Broome to Darwin - Coral Geographer
• 3 June - Darwin to Broome - Coral Adventurer
• 14 June - Darwin to Broome - Coral Geographer
• 25 July - Broome to Darwin - Coral Adventurer
• 5 August - Darwin to Broome - Coral Adventurer

 

 

Book your selected 2026 Coral Geographer or Coral Adventurer Kimberley cruise to receive your $5,000 per couple in travel credits. Travel credits can be used for pre- & post- cruise accommodation, flights, tours, train journeys and travel insurance. Speak to our expert team about designing your ideal Kimberley cruise package.

 

2026 Cruise Fares

 

All prices are per person, twin share in Australian Dollars:

 

Coral Deck Stateroom - $13,400 per person

Promenade Deck Stateroom - $16,300 per person

Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom - $21,600 per person

Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom (Coral Adventurer) - $23,600 per person

Bridge Deck Balcony Suite (Coral Geographer) - $28,900 per person

Bridge Deck Balcony Suite (Coral Adventurer) - $30,900 per person

 

The cruise price includes just about everything, here's a summary:

INCLUDED:

• Accommodation in selected Stateroom for ten nights
• All meals, morning and afternoon teas - see sample menu
• House beer, spirits and Australian table wine during lunch and dinner service - see sample beverage list
• 24-hour soft drinks, tea and barista-style coffee
• Captain’s welcome and farewell drinks
• Access to islands, marine and national parks
• Guided tours on Xplorer expedition vessels and zodiacs
• Touring as described in the itinerary
• Services of expedition staff and lecturers including briefings and knowledge-sharing sessions
• Port taxes and government charges imposed by government authorities
• Tipping not required on board
• Included standard-speed Wi-Fi (upgrades to higher speed internet are available on board at additional cost)
• Native Title fees applicable as at June 2025.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Pre and post flights, transfers and hotels
• Optional Mitchell Falls helicopter flight (payable on board)
• Kimberley Cruise Travel Insurance - highly recommended, including provisions for remote area evacuation.
• Items of a personal nature including but not limited to bar charges (outside of the included drinks package as highlighted), laundry charges and souvenir purchases.

 

 

Ready to book your 2026 Coral Expeditions Kimberley Cruise or want to find out more about the options? Contact the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80 or fill in the form below and one of our team will call you back.

 

Terms & Conditions: This special offer is subject to availability on specified 2026 Kimberley Cruise dates aboard Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer. Coral Discoverer in excluded. The travel credits must be used through Expedition Cruise Specialists. The offer is not combinable with any other special offer and is valid only for new bookings made between 08 June and 30 September 2025 unless sold out earlier. Enquire for single traveller pricing.

 

 

With the 2025 expedition season gearing up on Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast, one of our favourite small-ships, the 32-passenger Eco Abrolhos is debuting a new, refreshed look for her Lower Deck cabins.

Ideally suited to friends travelling together, those on a budget or even single travellers (due to the low single supplement), Lower Deck cabins offer a comfortable home-away-from-home as you experience the Kimberley Coast aboard a true small ship. The cabins feature upper and lower berths, a porthole, air-conditioning, and importantly, a private en suite. 

 

 

Normally priced at $13,115 per person twin share, we’ve got a handful of cabins available on selected 2025 dates on offer at $11,500 per person, twin share or $12,500 for single travellers.

If you’re after a bit more space, there’s still a handful of Queen Staterooms and the ever-popular King Bed Deluxe Staterooms available across the 2025 Eco Abrolhos Kimberley Season, with some keen pricing on offer, so give our team today a call to find out the best deals currently on offer. 

 

 

The Eco Abrolhos expedition itinerary takes all guests on a complete Kimberley journey – starting at Broome and finishing at Wyndham or vice versa. By visiting the key sites regularly, the Eco crew know the hotspots, where’s safe to swim, where the wildlife lives, the best fishing holes and where to find the largest variety of birdlife.

Their 13-night journeys are not just thrown together on the run. These expeditions are planned over 18 months in advance to correspond exactly with the best tides and moon phases for each voyage. The longer duration also enables Eco Abrolhos to set off on a spring tide (the largest tides) and finish 14 days later also on a spring tide. This planning is critical to provide the ship the greatest water depth (and assistance from the currents) to get into places like the Berkeley and King George rivers and provide guests the maximum “Wow factor” and water movement at iconic locations such as Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef, all of which are at the start or end of each expedition.

To find out more about Eco Abrolhos and her 2025 Kimberley Cruises, or to take advantage of these special prices, call the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80. 

 

Discover the Eco Abrolhos

 

See the Kimberley Itinerary

 

2025 Eco Abrolhos Kimberley Cruise Schedule

 

Broome to Wyndham - 15 to 28 May 2025

 

Wyndham to Broome - 30 May to 12 June 2025

 

Broome to Wyndham - 14 to 27 June 2025

 

Wyndham to Broome - 29 June to 12 July 2025

 

Broome to Wyndham - 14 to 27 July 2025 

 

Wyndham to Broome - 29 July to 11 August 2025 

 

Broome to Wyndham - 13 to 26 August 2025 

 

Wyndham to Broome - 28 August to 10 September 2025

 

 

With such a wide choice of ships for your Kimberley cruise, how do you know what is best for you?

 

Once upon a time, Western Australia’s Kimberley was a well-kept secret among local boaties looking for great Barramundi fishing, geologists studying some of the oldest rocks on Earth and ardent archaeologists in search of the most ancient civilisations.

The Kimberley is still something of a secret, although no longer a very well-kept one. 

Located in the far Northwest corner of Australia, it covers an area almost twice the size of Victoria and easily larger than Germany or the British Isles. Despite its immense area, it is one of the least populated regions on our planet. It has some of the greatest tidal ranges anywhere - up to 12 metres - and frequently receives more than a metre and a half of rain every year.

 

 

All these features combine to make it one of the last truly pristine places on Earth and a modern eco-tourism hotspot, drawing thousands of nature-loving travellers to gaze in awe at the staggering geological features, spot mighty saltwater crocodiles and witness impossibly cute rock wallabies. 

While many visitors to Australia’s North West will take to the dusty roads winding past giant boab trees and through dry, rocky riverbeds, an increasing number will board one of the increasing number of vessels navigating the labyrinthine shores between Broome and Darwin.

Up until a few years ago, these were smaller, boutique cruisers and yacht-style vessels accommodating typically less than 50 passengers keen to combine their sightseeing with some fishing and perhaps a hike to a freshwater swimming hole. Now the fleet includes lavish 200-passenger pocket cruise ships boasting fine dining, free-flowing champagne and luxurious balcony suites serviced by waistcoated butlers.

 

Choices, choices. 

 

Now let’s imagine you have chosen to cruise in the Kimberley. Given that the prices are not particularly different for small or large ships, it often gets down to the expedition delivery and itinerary devised by the various operators.

If you are a seasoned ‘white ship’ cruiser accustomed to the niceties of the really big ships, then the small (micro) cruise option may be a bit of a jolt. Cabins are smaller and private balconies are rare. Dining, while still excellent quality, is often communal and alcohol choices may be limited.  

The big, 100-200 berth ships are mostly foreign-flagged. Apart from Cairns-based, Australian-owned Coral Expeditions, whose biggest Australian-flagged vessels Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer carry 120 guests, the likes of Ponant, Seabourn, Heritage Expeditions and Silversea all carry foreign flags. 

 

 

So what’s the big deal? Under Australian maritime law, foreign ships are not allowed to sail directly between mainland ports, so they must detour to an international port. A compromise of sorts has been reached with these vessels whereby they now transit via Ashmore Reef, which adds extra 'time at sea' compared to the Australian operators such as Coral Expeditions who can maximise their time closer to the coast.

Furthermore, the big vessels typically run a well-rehearsed 10-night ‘highlights’ itinerary between Broome and Darwin that takes in the most prominent Kimberley icons like Montgomery Reef, Talbot Bay, Horizontal Falls, Jar Island, Porosis Creek and King George River. 

 

 

But for the last 30 years or so, the Kimberley has been the domain of these tiny, boutique ships where local knowledge reigns supreme. They can, and do, linger wherever they desire taking advantage of whatever the prevailing conditions are. Two excursions every day is the norm plus there will be freshwater swimming (away from the big nasty crocs), hiking on remote beaches, visiting hidden ‘secret’ waterfalls, fishing and unmapped rock art sites.   

There are no ‘down days’, so you better be ready for action as the expedition leader will often be devising the next day’s activities the night before as tides and winds are studied and reports of wildlife sightings come in from other friendly vessels. These sightings can include breaching whales, various eagles and raptors, crocodiles, rare dolphins and even the occasional dugong. 

 

 

Take, for example, the powerful, 38m catamaran Reef Prince. When at capacity, it takes no more than 36 travellers sharing 18 cabins, all with private facilities. Dining is in the spacious common lounge which also serves as a bar and lecture theatre. Meals are served directly from the galley by a qualified chef to tables of 8 to 10 guests. Several times during the cruise, tables will be set up on deck under festoon lights for a delightful gourmet evening meal under a star-spangled night sky. 

Days begin early as mornings are a special time in the Kimberley. as the rising sun bathes the ancient sandstone in pastel hues. The silence is only broken by the screech of a wheeling osprey or the splash of excited fish as they chase their breakfast.

 

 

Tenders are launched for the day’s activities which may be an exploration of a remote river, a fishing expedition or a transfer to a prehistoric rock art site. Local vessels prefer aluminium-hulled runabouts with powerful outboard motors, carrying about 10 guests at a time. The international vessels are equipped with rubber-hulled inflatable Zodiacs which they also use amongst the ice in polar regions. With the many submerged rocks and hidden debris in the shallow rivers, these sturdy metal boats can absorb much more punishment in this unforgiving environment. 

 

A bird’s eye view

 

Furthermore, several of the smaller vessels such as Kimberley Quest, True North and Great Escape will carry their own helicopter for additional sightseeing and exploration opportunities. Iconic Mitchell Falls, as featured in such blockbuster cinematic productions as Baz Luhrmann's Australia can only be accessed by air from any ship. Sure, there are third-party operators too flying out of the Hunter River, but having your own chopper on call is pretty special and opens up so many more possibilities like overflying the otherworldly Montgomery Reef when the submarine plateau rises up like Atlantis as the massive tide falls.

 

 

Another key feature of the Kimberley that is only available to the smaller vessels is the magical Kings Cascade deep in the Prince Regent River. These naturally formed terraces come alive like vertical rapids, especially in the early season and offer one of the best photo opportunities anywhere in the Kimberley. Don’t be surprised if your skipper manoeuvres the tender under the flow for a refreshing shower of crystal-clear water. 

 

Timing is everything

 

It seems every year the Kimberley cruise season expands by a few weeks. Local, small ship operators have the luxury of starting and finishing their cruise program whenever they like. A typical season is during ‘the dry’ between late March and early October with each segment of the season having its own advantages.

While early departures may strike the last of the wet season rain and its humidity, the spectacle of the waterfalls in full flow is worth every discomfort. The massive Twin Falls on the King George River are truly a wonder to behold as thousands of tonnes of water come crashing down nearly 100 metres onto the rocks below in a noise like jet engines. 

 

 

Mid-season has the best overall weather with clear, sunny days, while the end of the dry around October is the best time for fishing for the prized Barramundi. 

As a final piece of advice, it’s always best to consult an experienced Kimberley cruise specialist and that’s not something you’ll find at your everyday high street travel agent. Even though most Kimberley cruise choices are excellent, a specialist can fine-tune your experience and guide you to the vessel that will best fulfill your expectations. Every cruise operator will tell you they are the best, but a Kimberley Cruise Specialist will know what is the best for you.

 

Ready to book your Kimberley Cruise or want to find out more about the options? Contact the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80 or fill in the form below and one of our team will call you back.

 

 

SAVE 35% ON CORAL ADVENTURER'S NEW ZEALAND SOUNDS & STEWART ISLAND - DEPARTS 16 JANUARY 2025

Join Coral Adventurer's 8-night New Zealand Sounds & Stewart Island Expedition departing on 16 January 2025 and SAVE 35% off normal fare. Priced from $4,975 per person.

See more details about this great special offer

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It will come as no surprise to learn that our neighbours across the Tasman are enjoying a boom in cruising at least as exciting as our own. With its diverse geography and geology plus rich Polynesian culture, New Zealand really is an ideal destination for ships of all shapes and sizes.

The myriad wonders and blockbuster scenery of Aotearoa (the land of the long white cloud) are well known thanks to movies like Lord of the Rings and it seems everyone wants a piece of the action. 

But looking at the map, it’s easy to see how much of this intricate coastline would be overlooked if one were restricted to port-hopping with the larger cruise ships. Captain Cook himself, aboard the tiny Endeavour, was perhaps the first European to sing the praises of his new found southern paradise and he used every opportunity to return and rest his men in the peaceful surrounds of places like Queen Charlotte Sound. A century earlier, Tasman had received unwelcome attention from the M?ori and wasn’t so keen to hang around.

From my own experience, many great attractions exist in the smaller cities and towns where large numbers of disembarking passengers could well spoil the special appeal of these out of the way places. One cruise I enjoyed immensely was in the Bay of Islands where kilometre after kilometre of intricate coastline, little nooks, coves and crannies, thickly wooded islands and headlands are all interwoven to create a convivial natural latticework perfect for smaller vessels.

 

 

Another time I dropped in to little Kaikoura where I discovered their secret – a very deep secret. But now the word is out. Only a few hundred metres off shore, the seabed rapidly plunges into a massive submarine canyon well over a kilometre deep. When warm tropical currents flowing southward crash head-on into the cold Antarctic stream heading north, a swirling mass of nutrient-rich water is sucked up from the depths. This marine smorgasbord attracts an array of aquatic mammals, fish, birds and tourists. Whales, dolphins, seals and all manner of aquatic birds abound in and around Kaikoura.  

One of the cruise areas that you will see on many itineraries is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fiordland which encompasses Milford Sound, Dusky Sound and Doubtful Sound. If you want to get pedantic, it was James Cook who named them ‘sounds’ when in fact they are proper, glacial fjords. No one has dared correct him. While the big ships cruise in and out, smaller ships will occasionally land guests ashore and conduct excursions as far afield as Queenstown.  

 

 

Napier is another intriguing port. Totally destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, it was rebuilt in the art deco style. Many buildings remain and the city is making full use of its unique assets which, apart from the heritage architecture, include the vast Hawke’s Bay, widely recognised as New Zealand’s leading wine and food region. Walking the ornate streets is a thrill in itself and guided walking tours are great fun.

Around the corner from Napier is the Bay of Plenty, regularly visited by the big ships but also an attraction for smaller ones. While the large vessels send their guests off to Rotorua from the deep sea port at Tauranga, more adventurous types head out to volcanic White Island, where, depending on weather and volcanic activity, tenders may put guests ashore for a steamy excursion.

Way down at the very foot of the South Island is Stewart Island. Insulated from the world by its remoteness, Stewart Island is a haven for travellers looking for nature, tranquility, and adventure. While it is ideal for small ship visits, bigger ships occasionally creep in, too, putting passengers ashore by tender to visit the small village or take shore excursions into the Rakiura National Park, which makes up 85 percent of the island. 

Now for those really looking for a dash of adventure, New Zealand has a whole bunch of sub-Antarctic islands hundreds of kilometres south of Stewart Island. These little specks of land have been variously used for agriculture, seal hunting and even military surveillance, but all are now returned to national parks and are occasionally visited by expedition ships. Names like Auckland, the Snares, Enderby and Campbell Island all contain wonderful birdlife, particularly albatross and petrels and rare fur seals.

 

 

Thankfully, several specialist cruise lines have taken a particular interest in New Zealand and its potential for boutique travel. However, you’ll be paying a bit more for these cruises.

Cruise lines regularly visiting New Zealand on comprehensive itineraries include Silversea Cruises, Seabourn, Ponant and Regent Seven Seas. For a small ship or expedition cruising experience, New Zealand’s Heritage Expeditions and Australia’s Coral Expeditions should be high on the list for any traveller seeking smaller groups and active adventures.

Writer’s Tip: There’s no bad decision about cruising in New Zealand, so don’t worry about choice. Small ship cruises, however, require a bit more attention to detail. Identify as closely as you can what you want to see and do, then go after a vessel that does it. Some of the waters down south can get ‘choppy’. 

 

Roderick Eime is Australia’s leading expedition cruising photojournalist. You can follow his exploits at www.expeditioncruising.com

 

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