Page 58 - Tropic Magazine Issue 20

TROPIC • TOURISM

Close & personal

REMOTE ADVENTURES

Coral Expedition’s purpose-
built ship has opened up new
and authentic experiences for
luxury cruise passengers.
Words Renee Cluff

Travellers globally are seeking more Oceans, including in Papua New Guinea,
adventurous journeys in far-flung West Papua, Indonesia and the Great
locations and Cairns-based Coral Barrier Reef. I cannot praise this
Expeditions’ Coral Adventurer is delivering. The journeys are an adventure in cruise enough, from
She can enter shallower, narrower themselves, but in this case the focus is
waterways than other cruise ships, on the destinations. Daily excursions the fabulous crew to the
taking guests to some of the most and activities are included in the meticulous planning of
remote, exotic regions. “The shallow cruise fare and tenders make going
draught and high manoeuvrability ashore comfortable and easy. It’s this day trips on the explorer
of our ship gets you closer to explore accessibility to remote areas which paves boats. After enjoying our
sheltered bays and hidden inlets that are the way for immersive and authentic
inaccessible to larger ships,” said Coral experiences. An Expedition Team leads days it was nice to come
Expeditions General Manager Mark every voyage, made up of experts from back to the luxury of a
Fifield. “Our tenders allow us to land on diverse backgrounds - adventurers,
remote coastlines and a small group size ex-teachers, dive masters – who enable lovely dinner and glass
means we can visit small islands and guests to connect with and understand of wine.
communities without impacting the each destination. The ship’s 120
environment or overwhelming the locals.” passenger capacity also ensures an Cheza, Coral
Launched in May and catering to 120 intimate experience, generating a sense Adventurer guest
passengers, Coral Adventurer cruises the of fellowship between guests as well as the colours and textures of North
Kimberley coast of the Northern Territory crew members. Queensland. Guests can opt to relax on
during the dry season, with stops in Onboard the mother ship, there are their own private balcony or head to the
Darwin and Broome. During the rest of elegant and vibrant living spaces and observation lounge in the bridge to have a
the year, she embarks on exploration trips staterooms over four decks. The interior chat to the Captain. Whether onboard or
further afield, taking guests to stunning features cosy Scandinavian furniture, out exploring, Coral Adventurer is designed
and rarely visited islands and coral quality fixtures and wood, stone and to provide intimate experiences for each
outcrops in the Indian and South Pacific fabric elements designed to reflect and every traveller.

SHIP SHAPE
With a long, proud history in Tropical
THE SPECS THE FEATURES
North Queensland, Coral Expeditions
Length 60 Staterooms was started by a fisherman in 1983,
93.4 metres Two Xplorer tenders, six Zodiacs who converted a submarine chaser
Max Breadth and kayaks for exploring to take guests to the Great Barrier
17.2 metres Reef. The company pioneered small
Open bridge with navigator lounge ship expedition style cruising in the
Draught
4.5 metres Single seating dining with Kimberley and South Pacific and now
communal wine table boasts four state-of-the-art ships in
Gross Tonnage its fleet, taking intrepid travellers as
5,599 tonnes Three cocktail bars far afield as Tasmania, New Zealand
Cruising Speed Well-equipped gym and Madagascar.
13.8 knots Passenger elevator
Construction Anchor-free technology for
Norwegian shipbuilder VARD sensitive marine areas
Interior Active stabilisers for comfort
Brisbane-based Arkhefield design

58 • Tropic • Issue 20