My cruise on board 'Coral Expeditions 11" gave me some of the most magical moments of my life - and at age 71, widely traveled and with many years at ownership level in the hospitality, retail and commercial boating industry, I do not say this lightly. The whole experience was a product of the most amazing synergy of crew professionalism and relaxed, true, caring camaraderie.

The itinerary could not be faulted - a wondrous combination of snorkeling and diving over some of the best reefs on Earth; excursions to Cooktown, Orpheus, Lizard and Fitzroy Islands; and above all, the informed flexibility of the crew who maximised every opportunity to gain the utmost from the weather and tide conditions with an eye always to the comfort and interests of their passengers.

I was unashamedly self indulgent in that I gloried in the luxury and space of a deluxe state room but at no stage did I hear of any dissatisfaction from any of the other passengers who enjoyed other levels of cabin accommodation. Read more