Expedition Cruise News & Views

 

Australia's Coral Expeditions recently announced that they had signed an agreement with renowned Norwegian shipbuilder Vard to launch a brand new, state-of-the-art expedition ship. Now, more details have emerged about new specialist vessel, including the name - Coral Adventurer - along with schedules and pricing for the inaugural 2019 adventure cruising season.

According to Coral Expeditions, the Australian-flagged Coral Adventurer will be the ‘world’s most advanced tropical expedition ship’ when it launches in April 2019, and certainly the plans and artist impressions seem to back that claim up.

At 93.50 metres in length, Coral Adventurer will accommodate just 120 travellers in 58 Staterooms and two stunning suites measuring 55 square metres. Over half of the ship’s accommodation will feature private balconies. There’s also multiple bars and lounges, a spacious dining room accommodating all guests in one sitting and a light-filled lecture room for expert presentations. The ship will also carry specialist equipment for scientific research.

 

 

Of course, a big part of expedition cruising is being able to get ashore and experience places beyond the reach of other travellers. Coral Adventurer has got that covered as well. On her stern she will carry two Xplorer excursion tenders, each accommodating 60 passengers in individual seating, along with six Mark V Zodiacs, a glass bottom boat (selected itineraries) and a fleet of kayaks. It’s the flexibility of the Xplorer tenders that really set the Coral Expeditions fleet apart however. Cradled on a hydraulic platform on the ship’s stern, guests easily step aboard before the platform lowers into the water, eliminating the need to get your feet wet when trying to jump into a bobbing zodiac.

The 2019 schedule features some interesting journeys. The inaugural voyage will ‘blow the cobwebs out’ from Singapore to Darwin, followed by a short hop into West Papua. From there, the ship will join her sister-ships Coral Discoverer and Coral Expeditions I on Western Australia’s Kimberley coast, operating 10 night itineraries between Darwin and Broome and vice versa. Kimberley cruises are scheduled between May and October, and will give a welcome capacity boost for Coral Expeditions, who’s two current ships run full in the Kimberley, often selling out months in advance.

At the conclusion of the Kimberley cruise season there’s an ‘Across the Top of Australia’ voyage to Cairns, followed by a circumnavigation of Papua New Guinea.

Beyond 2019, we can expect to see the ship also spending part of the year in the South Pacific and New Zealand, along with selected itineraries further afield in Asia.

For more pictures and information about this exciting new expedition ship call the team at Expedition Cruise Specialists on 1800 90 20 80 or visit https://www.expeditioncruisespecialists.com/ships/coral-adventurer

 

 

There’s soon to be more choice for fans of small ship cruising, with Australia’s pioneering expedition cruise company Coral Expeditions announcing that they have signed a contract to add a new, state-of-the-art expedition ship.

Due to launch in mid 2019, the yet unnamed 93.50 metre ship will be built in Vietnam by Norwegian shipbuilder Vard and will join Coral Discoverer, Coral Expeditions I and Coral Expeditions II in the Coral Expeditions fleet.

Plans for the luxury ship show 60 large staterooms, ranging in size between 17 and 43 square metres, over half with their own private balcony. There’s also a single-seating dining room, a light-filled lecture lounge and multiple indoor and outdoor bars.

Fans who have travelled on the Coral Expeditions fleet previously will immediately notice the company’s distinctive style flowing through the new ship, highlighted by the modern Australian-designed interior with the colours and textures of tropical Queensland, the birthplace of the company.  They can also expect to encounter the same professional and laid-back Australian service for which the company’s crew are renowned.

 

 

The new ship will also be fully-equipped for adventure. Twin hydraulic platforms will house two unique 60-passenger ‘Xplorer’ excursion tenders, along with a fleet of inflatable zodiacs and kayaks. There’s also facilities on board to host scientific research missions.

Expedition aficionados can expect itineraries focused on adventure cruises in Australia, the South Pacific and Asia, with a major deployment on Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast between March and September each year. Whilst details of the Kimberley cruise schedule haven’t been announced as yet, we can expect that the company’s iconic ten-night itinerary between Broome and Darwin (and vice versa) will be on offer, featuring all of the highlights of the Kimberley coast including Mitchell Falls, King George Falls, King Cascades, Montgomery Reef, Horizontal Falls, Aboriginal art and much more.

Other destinations being looked at for the new ship include Indonesia’s Raja Ampat and Spice Islands, Papua New Guinea and the Islands of Melanesia.

Schedules for the new ship are expected in coming weeks, sign up to our newsletter to receive details of the new schedule as soon as it is announced.

 

 

Several weeks ago we told you about Canadian polar operator One Ocean Expeditions, and their exciting plan to add a third expedition ship to their fleet, the RCGS Resolute.

Just this week, schedules for the new ship landed on our desk, and there’s some exciting opportunities for travellers to experience the best of the white continent and surrounds.

Resolute’s inaugural voyage for One Ocean Expeditions (she previously operated as the award-winning Hanseatic for Hapag Lloyd) commences on 6 November 2018, with a ten day Antarctica Peninsula Adventure. Over the following five months she will operate a total of 12 voyages to the Peninsula, some including exploration of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

There’s also a special ‘Antarctica Off the Beaten Track” expedition, which – as the name suggests – takes in some of the lesser-known parts of the seventh continent, along with a Christmas in Antarctica voyage.

 

 

Resolute’s 2018/19 southern season concludes with a unique 13 day voyage exploring Chile’s Fjords between Ushuaia and Valparaiso.

Here’s your first look at Resolute’s full schedule for the 2018/19 Antarctic season:

 

2018 / 19 Dates	Itinerary	Nights
November 6 - 16	Antarctic Peninsula Adventure	10
November 16 - 28	Antarctic Off the Beaten Track	12
November 28 - December 10	Antarctic Peninsula Explorer	12
December 10 - 20	Antarctic Peninsula Adventure	10
December 20 - 30	Christmas in Antarctica	10
December 30 - January 17	Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica	19
January 17 - 30	Journey Below the Antarctic Circle	13
January 30 - February 17	Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica	19
February 17 - March 1	Antarctic Peninsula Explorer	12
March 1 - 11	Antarctic Peninsula Adventure	10
March 11 - 21	Antarctic Peninsula Adventure	10
March 21 - 31	Antarctic Peninsula Adventure	10
March 31 - April 12	Chilean Fjords Adventure	13

 

Introducing RCGS Resolute

Resolute is modern, well appointed, safe and ice-strengthened to 1A classification. Accommodating just 146 expeditioners, there are spaces ideally suited to every need throughout the ship. Spacious outer decks provide stunning 360 degree viewing platforms perfect for photography, wildlife watching, birding and appreciating expansive views.  The salt water plunge pool, large relaxation deck, hot water jacuzzi are all located aft of the wellness centre (massage therapy, Finnish Sauna, steam room) and well equipped exercise room. Inside there are multiple areas to explore ranging from the well-appointed theatre-style presentation room, aft observation lounge and bar, forward observation lounge and bar, and both dining rooms. Add in the One Ocean Expeditions multimedia room, and mobile laboratory and the opportunities are endless. 

RCGS Resolute joins Akademik Ioffe and Akademik Sergey Vavilov under the One Ocean Expeditions banner, to offer one of the most capable, safe, and exclusive expedition cruise fleets in the industry.

To book your Antarctic expedition cruise aboard RCGS Resolute contact the polar cruise experts from Expedition Cruise Specialists on 1800 90 20 80 or email [email protected]

 

 

When we think of places ideally suited to discovery by expedition ship, it’s our nearest-neighbour Papua New Guinea that often comes to mind first.

PNG is a thrilling country to visit; spectacular scenery, beautiful coral reefs and unique wildlife, the largest area of intact rainforest outside the Amazon and ancient cultures (over 800 local languages!) untouched by modern man. It’s the sort of place you want to visit before word gets out and it becomes overrun by tourists!

Yet, PNG can also be one of the most daunting places to experience for all but the most intrepid of adventurers. Travelling with a sense of adventure is a must, often accepting that the tourism infrastructure, comforts and amenities in some of the more remote parts can be below what we expect in these modern times. Some travellers might even feel a bit intimidated in certain areas, such as Port Moresby, where you do need to keep your wits about you when venturing out and about.

If you’ve always wanted to experience PNG, but are concerned that it might be a bit ‘too hard’, then perhaps a small ship adventure cruise might just be what you’ve been looking for.

After all, when you travel by small ship you can make use of luxurious onboard accommodations, enjoy fantastic dining experiences, savour incredible excursions with expert guides, all safe in the knowledge that you are going to be well looked after.

 

 

Over recent years we’ve seen incredible growth in adventure cruising to PNG. One of the first expedition ships to offer adventure cruises in PNG was Coral Discoverer in 2006, closely followed by True North. Both of these well-appointed small ships have developed outstanding itineraries, taking in the many highlights of the country, including the opportunity to cruise the mighty Sepik River.

There’s a limited schedule of departures on offer for 2018, and with space for just a few hundred lucky adventurers each year now is the time to book to make sure you secure a place.

We’re also really excited by a brand new voyage for 2018 aboard the classic catamaran Coral Expeditions I, which has just been announced. During February Coral Expeditions I will undertake four week-long scouting expeditions of the legendary Sepik River, travelling into the middle Sepik region, an area that has been rarely visited (and is mostly inaccessible) to foreign travellers until now.

Here’s a look at what we have on offer in PNG in 2018.

 

Coral Discoverer

12 Nights Madang to Cairns

Departing 5 November 2018

Price from AU$10,650 per person

In 2018, the 72-passenger Coral Discoverer is offering a single 12-night expedition between Madang and Cairns, so you will need to be quick. This Australian-flagged (and crewed) small ship was one of the pioneers of adventure cruising in PNG, and following a major update recently she has retained her crown as one of the very best expedition ships operating in these waters.

Signature experiences of the voyage include an overnight trip into the Sepik River, stopping at villages well off the tourist trail. There’s also plenty of time for snorkeling, SCUBA diving and kayaking over some of the South Pacific’s best coral reefs.  

Highlights also include:

·       Meeting colourfully-costumed locals in the Trobriand Islands

·       A visit to the Dei Dei Hot Springs

·       Exploring Tufi Fjords

·       WWII history at Buna and Sanananda - site of some of the bloodiest fighting and gateway to the Kokoda Track

·       Manam Island Volcano

·       Tuam Island

See the full itinerary

 

 

True North

10 Nights Kavieng to Madang (includes return charter flights from Cairns)

Departing 7 & 17 November 2018

Price from AU$20,995 per person

Focussing on Northern PNG, True North’s 10 night adventure cruise starts in Cairns, with a charter flight to Kavieng to board the ship. Then, over eleven days cruise through the islands of the Bismarck Archipelago en route to the Sepik River and then Madang. True North accommodates just 36 travellers at any one time, and comes fully equipped with her own private helicopter for the ultimate in exploration. 

Highlights of the itinerary include:

·       Vitu Islands snorkelling and cultures

·       Manus Province

·       Ponam Island – a key WWII battleground

·       Hermit Islands barrier reef

·       Ninigo Islands

·       Three days exploring the Sepik River

·       Stilt houses on Lake Kambaraumba

·       Bagabag Island

See the full itinerary

 

 

Coral Expeditions I

7 Nights Madang to Madang

Departing 6, 13, 20 & 27 February 2018

Price from AU$4,990 per person

This new expedition aboard the classic catamaran Coral Expeditions I has us really excited. Dedicated solely on exploring the lower and middle reaches of the Sepik River, the seven night itinerary promises exploratory visits to some remote outposts along the Sepik, with plenty of time for cultural interaction and discovery. Like any real expedition, the daily programme will remain flexible to ensure maximum exploration, but you can expect the following highlights:

·       Murik Lakes

·       Villages of Bien and Angoram

·       The stilt houses of Kambaraumba

·       Tambanum village – known for its woodcarvers

·       Chambri Lakes

·       Sacred flutes cultural performance

·       The Spirit House at Wombun

See the full itinerary

 

 

If you’re interested in experiencing PNG for yourself in 2018 then don’t delay - contact the team at Expedition Cruise Specialists on 1800 90 20 80 (or +61 7 4041 2101 if calling form outside Australia), email us at [email protected] or see more information at www.expeditioncruisespecialists.com

 

Images in this article courtesy of our partners Coral Expeditions and True North.

 

If you’ve holidayed in Fiji before you know how hard it can be to decide where to spend your vacation time. You would have spent a lot of time thinking about whether you should choose a family-style resort on the Coral Coast, one of the luxury international hotels at Denarau, perhaps an island in the Yasawa Group or even a remote getaway on the northern island of Vanua Levu.

Making this decision requires a lot of weighing up of the facilities at each hotel, the variety of dining options located close by, whether the resort has a sandy (or coral) beach and an inviting pool, not to mention the various activities and day tours on offer. It can be really confusing.

So why not take all the hassle out of your next Fijian holiday and book a small ship cruise aboard the Reef Endeavour. When you join a 3, 4, 7 or 11 night cruise aboard Reef Endeavour you won’t be restricted to just one resort; instead you will visit several different islands - each with a beautiful sandy beach - take in some of the country’s best snorkelling spots and meet the locals during authentic cultural activities. In fact each morning you will wake up in a new location ready for another exciting day of exploration.

 

 

And, Reef Endeavour accommodates no more than 130 travellers on each cruise, so you’re guaranteed an intimate experience along with warm hospitality from the smiling Fijian crew. All your meals are included during the cruise, along with a range of exciting onboard activities to keep you, and the rest of your family, busy. You will have ample time for snorkelling and swimming, kayaking, cultural excursions and simply relaxing on a stunning stretch of white sand beach. And, you can do as much or as little as you like; it’s entirely up to you.

Reef Endeavour’s Fijian cruises depart year round from the Port of Denarau, close to Nadi Airport.

 

7 Night Yasawa Islands Cruise

The classic 7-night Yasawa Islands cruise departs on Tuesdays and Saturdays year-round and offers a total Fiji cultural and island experience. On this expedition you will discover the remote northern Yasawa Islands from Naviti to Yasawa, plus the southern Mamanuca Islands. Highlights include the famous Sawa-i-lau limestone cave and blue lagoon and rainforest walks with expert naturalists. There’s also plenty of time for snorkelling and beachcombing, along with some traditional Fijian cultural events.

 

 

 

11 Night Lau Islands & Kadavu Discovery Cruise

If you’ve been to Fiji before and think you’ve done it all, then think again! A couple of times a year Reef Endeavour offers a voyage of discovery to a part of Fiji rarely seen by tourists - the Lau Islands and Kadavu. Departing from Nadi, this 11-night expedition showcases the culture and traditions of Fiji. You will be able to explore pristine islands, swim, snorkel and SCUBA dive over colourful coral reefs in perfect lagoons and take long walks on rainforest trails leading to refreshing waterfalls. Most days offer the opportunity for in-water activities and cultural interaction.

You will also be welcomed by the villagers and experience their happy islander existence. On Oneata Island witness the Sunday church service, the singing is sure to inspire. Marvel at skilled wood turners and discover islander heritage. Experience a traditional meke (dance), sevusevu (ceremony) and lovo (feast). This expedition showcases a different side of Fiji; away from the tourist crowds, where Melanesian cultures and traditions remain intact.

The 11-night Lau & Kadavu Discovery Cruise always sells quickly, and with 2018 and 2019 departure dates just released, it pays to get in early to secure your place.

 

 

Fijian Cruising Earlybird Deals

There’s currently some great Earlybird offers on Reef Endeavour Fijian cruising, with the 7-night Yasawa Islands cruise starting at just $2,716 per adult (ask us about special deals for any kids travelling!) and the 11-night Lau & Kadavu Discovery Cruise starting at $4,500 per adult – a saving of $1,125 off the normal price. These prices are inclusive of your shipboard accommodation, meals, most activities and offer excellent value for money.

So whether you’re after a romantic Fiji getaway for two, or a holiday with the family, when you’re next thinking about a Fijian getaway give the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists a call on 1800 90 20 80 to discover more about some great small ship cruising options.