Five essential things to know before you board a Coral Expeditions cruise ship

Coral Expeditions started out with trips to the Great Barrier Reef before expanding into other areas of Australasia

Coral Expeditions is the innovative brand that brought expedition cruising to Australia. Founded in 1983, the company (originally called Coral Princess Cruises) started out with trips to discover the Great Barrier Reef before expanding to cover the whole of the country and into Australasia. Now with a three-strong fleet, Coral offers genuinely immersive cruise experiences with a focus on faraway places, Indigenous communities and wildlife encounters.

As befits expedition cruising, you won’t find casinos and multiple restaurants on its ships. Each presents a laid-back, dress-code-free on-board environment, complete with free-seating dining, Aussie hospitality and a decent cup of coffee (something not always guaranteed on other international lines).

But most of all, a Coral cruise is about active, expert-led shore excursions that might involve snorkelling, Aboriginal rock art or deciphering animal tracks on wild beaches.

1. Where does Coral Expeditions sail?

In the four decades since launching expedition cruises on the Great Barrier Reef, Coral’s repertoire has grown to encompass all of Australia. Reef itineraries (departing from Cairns mostly in October and November) remain a highlight, particularly for those keen on snorkelling and diving.

Coral Adventurer is one of the three ships in Coral Expeditions’ fleet

The other big hitter is the Kimberley: the remote chunk of coast in Australia’s north-west that’s scoured by powerful tides, giving rise to such icons as Horizontal Falls and magical Montgomery Reef. Cruises here are generally available from April to September; if you want to see thundering waterfalls, plan your trip for the start of the season.

Coral’s other Australian destinations include the island state of Tasmania, as well as Arnhem Land, the Tiwi Islands and Cape York in the far north. Departures in Western Australia might take in coast-hugging Ningaloo Reef and the Abrolhos Islands, which are often nicknamed Australia’s Galapagos on account of their seabirds, sea lions and biodiversity. 

And if you can’t decide which bit of Australia you want to visit, Coral’s circumnavigations are infrequent but very special events that span around 60 nights.

Beyond the Great Barrier Reef, the Kimberley on Australia’s north-west coast is one of Coral’s most popular destinations

Beyond continental Australia, Coral’s expeditions take in the very best of the wider region, from New Zealand’s fjords to the ancient cultures of South Pacific islands. Indonesian itineraries typically focus on the Komodo Islands or Raja Ampat for pristine coral reefs and whale shark encounters.

But perhaps its strongest non-Australian suit is Papua New Guinea, where Coral’s cruises tap into this frontier nation’s 1,000 distinct cultures and more than 850 languages. Village visits, birds of paradise and 30,000-year-old customs are some of the unique experiences that await on shore excursions here, as well as volcanic landscapes, Second World War history and Indigenous art and artefacts.

In Papua New Guinea, shore excursions include village visits and learning about the culture’s 30,000-year-old customs - DAVID KIRKLAND

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2. Who does Coral Expeditions appeal to?

Beyond requiring a sense of adventure, Coral Expeditions’ guests are generally drawn by their interests in culture, wildlife and reaching remote places. The exploratory nature of this type of cruise appeals to curious travellers, and the out-of-the-way destinations ensure that there’s always plenty of intrigue.

Due to the exploratory nature of the itineraries, a Coral cruise appeals to curious travellers

All excursions and activities are included in the price (with a handful of exceptions, such as helicopter sightseeing tours in the Kimberley, which cost extra). Given that many ports of call are remote and lack infrastructure, guests should expect, and be capable of handling, wet landings and transfers by Zodiac, plus uneven terrain when ashore. That said, while lots of hands-on experiences pack this kind of cruise with adventure, there are gentler options too, such as scenic sailings on one of the tenders.

While it may create a laid-back atmosphere, Coral Expeditions still offers high-end conveniences such as quality dining

If you’re a stickler for traditional luxury, Coral may not be for you: its ships are more about comfort than fancy amenities. Although they offer high-end conveniences from quality dining to all-outward-facing cabins, the real luxury of a Coral cruise is its laid-back casualness. There’s no dress code or pre-assigned mealtime seating, nor “forced fun” entertainment. Rather, what you will find is an intimate, convivial and friendly on-board environment that suits retirees, families, groups and solo travellers.

3. Coral Expeditions’ fleet

The three-strong fleet includes two near-identical sister ships and a smaller, nimbler vessel.

Coral Discoverer (72 passengers)

This purpose-built, bijou expedition ship, the smallest and oldest in the fleet, features 36 outward-facing cabins and invites a sociable, informal ambience. The diminutive stature, assisted by a shallow draught and active stabilisers, lends itself to accessing remote and rarely visited destinations well beyond the reach of larger ships. Fully refurbished in 2025, Coral Discoverer sails year-round to the likes of Tasmania, Cape York, Arnhem Land and across to the Tiwi Islands and beyond.

Sails to: Australia, Papua New Guinea

Coral Discoverer is the smallest and oldest in the fleet, with 36 outward-facing cabins

Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer (120 passengers)

These two sister ships are essentially identical, although, as the newer of the two, Coral Geographer offers four more Bridge Deck suites. Designed to explore faraway places, both ships offer plenty of deck space, all outward-facing cabins (most with private balconies) and an intimate, relaxed and casual atmosphere. Each is fully equipped with tenders and a fleet of Zodiacs for shore excursions, wet landings or water-based tours.

Sails to: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, South Pacific

Coral Adventurer, one of the larger ships in Coral’s fleet, next to Coral Discoverer, the smallest

4. Accessibility

Given the active excursions, rugged terrain and small-ship stature with limited facilities, this kind of cruise holiday does not suit guests with impaired mobility.

5. Loyalty scheme

After their first Coral Expeditions voyage, guests are automatically enrolled into the Xplorer Club, whose four tiers of membership come with benefits, such as savings of up to 15 per cent on future cruises.

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