This was Broome to Darwin, then Darwin to Cairns, two very different cruises. Broome to Darwin was more about scenery, birds, geology, nature and seeing "outback" Australia. There were only 38 passengers on the 72 passenger ship. Broome to Cairns included some of this but concentrated on indigenous communities and their art. The ship had 68 passengers on this leg. We enjoyed both parts but perhaps the thing we will remember most is the spectacular scenery of the Kimberly. Having the Explorer that takes all the passengers and tour guides off the ship and up rivers and onto beaches is a big plus. Passengers board from the deck and then the Explorer is lowered to the water. On the return the Explorer is lifted from the water up to the deck and everyone walks onto the deck. There are zodiacs too, although unlike the Explorer, they have no shelter from the sun and don’t have comfortable seating for a long time in them. It was easy getting on and off the zodiacs from the back of the Explorer. The Explorer, with its flat bottom, is able to get close to river vegetation and land you on beaches usually without wet feet. We did spend some time in the zodiacs but felt the Explorer was as effective in getting us to see the flora and fauna. Our Darwin to Cairns cruise was very interesting with visits to aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands. It was an art cruise and we visited art galleries in the different communities. There was also an artist from Torres Strait, David Bosun, on the ship and he held Lino cutting and printing workshops. He also lectured on Torres Strait history and about the animals and the legends about them. We were able to snorkel 3 times during this part. The masks and fins were good quality and the safety of the swimmers was monitored well. Two snorkels were off a beach and one off the Explorer. The tour guides and the guest lecturers for the whole cruise were professional and informative. Most were friendly and socialised with the passengers and we enjoyed our time with them. Food was plentiful and quite tasty. Not gourmet but adequate. Breakfast had fruit, cereal and hot food, a good start to the day. Lunch was a buffet offering different food every day. Salads were plentiful and good. Dinner was 3 course with a few choices for each course. Drinks were included with lunch and dinner. They choice for this was limited but drinkable. At pre dinner drinks I bought a bottle of better quality wine and drank it over a few night rather than have the house wine. They had a cocktail of the day each night. Service from the team was very good. They were friendly and I felt they went out of their way to get to know you and your preferences. The cabin was smaller than the other ships we had sailed on ( Silversea and Regent) and the bathroom was small, but we weren’t in it much during the day so wasn’t a problem. The bed was comfortable and the linen and towels were very good. They serviced it twice a day. There was plenty of storage in the cabin and bathroom. This is Expedition cruising so we were off the ship at least twice a day. Breakfast was at 7am most mornings and usually boarding the Explorer at 8.30 or 9am for our explorations. After lunch there another expedition before returning to get ready for pre dinner drinks, a recap of the day by a guest lecturer, then plans for the next day by the tour leader. After about 10 days we needed a day off, and stayed on the ship. As long as you understand that an expedition cruise is unlike a luxury cruise and are open to see and learn about the areas, in-depth and up close, you will have a wonderful cruise. Read Less

This extraordinary experience of the majestic Kimberley region provided me with wonderful memories for a lifetime. The crew were amazing and went out of their way to facilitate an unforgettable cruise. I had a vague idea of what to expect to see but this trip takes in some of the most breathtaking locations of the Kimberley including; Montgomery Reef, Horizontal Falls, King George River, Mitchell Falls, Hunter River..the list goes on. Take the helicopter package it really does provide the most amazing perspective of the grandeur and size of each location. The food was of exceptional quality and variety. Unfortunately I will need to lose a few kilos post holiday. The cabins were well appointed and very clean, no complaints. Highly recommend this cruise to anyone who is keen to be amazed by our beautiful country, its remote wilderness and its heritage. I will be travelling True North again and looking forward to a new adventure. Read Less

Did this cruise two years ago on L'Austral. It was so good we re-booked and took our adult children on with us this time on Le Laperouse. This trip was even better! The new ship is beautiful. Love the cabins and public areas. The new Zodiac landing arm is amazing. When not in use for this purpose we had a champagne cocktail party on it as well as a concert by an opera singer as the sun was setting over the Indian Ocean. Magical. The expedition team were fantastic. Very knowledgeable and likable. Wonderful Captain and crew on board and sensational food. An incredible itinerary in such a beautiful remote area. We felt very privileged to be able to hike to some of the Aboriginal rock art sites. We are quite well traveled and cruise a lot and hands down this was the best trip we have ever done. Could not fault a thing. If you haven't been to the Kimberley be sea, I would highly recommend it with Ponant. Read Less

Coral Adventurer was specially build for cruising the rugged Kimberley coast, could go to all the places the smaller boats can go at half the cost and much more comfort. The two explorers were very comfortable,a breeze to get onto,protection from the sun and toilet on board- that was a bonus! Lots of activities and you could do as many or as little as you pleased. The crew were so friendly and helpful, smiles on all their faces, the food was fantastic, great lecturers and loved having an open bridge where you could sit and chat to the Captain. Some of the crew also joined guests for dinner, so interesting to chat to them about there travels. Our cabin was very comfortable, boarding and exiting the ship was a breeze. Nice to have crew line the port to say goodbye. I would like to do another cruise on Coral Adventurer. Read Less

Wow, wow, wow. Our week on True North was by far the best holiday we have ever had. The Kimberley region is a spectacular location for a holiday but being able to see it with True North was what really made it. All of the staff on board were friendly, easy going and professional. They took the time to get to know guests and provided an exceptional service. The food prepared by the chefs was ample and delicious. The chefs were accommodating to specific requests and also happy to share recipes for favourite meals. Housekeeping was done promptly and discreetly and the rooms were very comfortable. Jo-Lee in the bar made excellent cocktails and was familiar with guests usual drinks. There were always loads of great activities on offer and the staff had an immense knowledge and passion for the region and it’s history which was incredibly contagious. I am so, so glad we got to experience True North and would not hesitate to explore with her again. Read Less

For many years we have heard of the wonderful experiences people have had on True North and it has been on our bucket list for some time. We went on the Kimberley Waterfall Cruise departing from Broome in April 2019. We were collected from our accommodation in Broome and taken to the ship at the Port. Here we were met by the friendly young crew of True North and given name badges (very useful) and a welcome drink. After some mingling with the other passengers and crew we were taken to our cabin by one of the crew and shown through the various facilities (daily laundry service was included - how fantastic). After a chef prepared dinner (every meal was simply sensational) we were given details of where we would be travelling to over night and the options of activities available the next day (a process that occurred each evening). The choices always covered peoples capabilities and interests. During the course of our 10 night cruise, I fished (and I had very limited previous experience and the staff were always patient and helpful - and with a sense of humour) and caught fish, I climbed up rock paths to water holes and water pools, visited the most amazing rock art sites, stood on the bow of the ship under a waterfall, had heli picnics (such an incredible experience flying in to an isolated water fall to see a tarp, chairs and BBQ set up), leaned much about the area and its history from the onboard naturalist, saw crocodiles and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The list goes on. After a day out in the sunshine experiencing the wonderful Kimberley Coast you returned to an airconditioned boat for evening cocktails, a beautifully cleaned room (every cabin has its own bathroom) and the most delightful staff who are always friendly and upbeat. The trip is expensive (as you would expect) but certainly was worth every penny. I am definitely planning to travel with them again in a few years. Read Less

I had seen the promotional videos of TrueNorth and met some of the crew when TrueNorth was in Sydney in 2018 and I thought at the time - wow, I would love to do this. I was fortunate that an opportunity landed at my door, I needed to be in Broome and it happened for me. I had the most amazing time, I did not envisage that it was going to be as good as it was. Someone had said to me 'it is difficult to put into words what a trip on the TrueNorth is like, you just have to experience it'. They are correct! A TrueNorth adventure is an experience that you will not get anywhere else. It is a combination of experienced and professional staff, incredible beautiful and remote places in the Kimberley, a boat/ship that is purpose built to take you places to enjoy and immerse yourself in adventures that are wonders of the world. Each day I thought, if the trip stopped now, I have seen/experienced and done things I have not previously done - I would die happy. I am planning on going on another cruise, there are so many adventures that TrueNorth do that would rock my boat - my next one I think will be the Rowley Shoals. If you only get the chance to do one adventure in your life, do one of the TrueNorth cruises, they are worth every penny! Read Less

We had been on a similar cruise with True North before with excellent results We were not disappointed- the service is spectacular, the staff wonderful, and everything about the ship is 6 star The Kimberleys is an outstanding wilderness area and the on board helicopter gave us an all over view. Montgomery Reef is the standout place but all the area, with its waterfalls, red rocks, blue ocean, crocodiles and rivers are amazing. The fishing was great, and we landed many fish including Barrumundi. Swimming in the many waterholes was a treat and the helicopter picnic was a favourite with the staff taking everything up by helicopter and cooking us a BBQ on top of the waterfall. The sunset drinks on the beach was such fun, especially the crabs cooked and eaten that we had caught that day Also the oyster morning, were we shucked our own oysters and had them with champayne for breakfast is a great memory Read Less

We went to the Kimberleys, having embarked in Broome. We spent a few days in Broome and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The Cabin was well appointed but somewhat small, however not really a problem The naturalists and experts on the cruise were really fantastic. They were knowledgeable and friendly, and always willing to speak to passengers about their specialities The excursions ashore were really interesting, educational, extremely well organised and most enjoyable. Most of the on board lectures were very informative and interesting. The food was Ok , not so fantastic, but the crew, and stewards were excellent and professional. For coffee afficionados there is definite room for improvement. Entertainment was usually scheduled a little too late, and we would have to wait around too long after dinner. However the on board entertainers were of a high standard and we enjoyed the shows that we attended Our departure from the ship was very well organised and all went very smoothly for our group. Read Less

We chose the cruise because while we have travelled to many other parts of the world we really need to see more of our own land. We combined the cruise with self drive land content before and after and were overwhelmed by the beauty of the north of Australia. There was a bit of a mess embarking as the papers were late arriving and the meeting point had changed but the Visitors' Centre in Broome was very accommodating. All was soon forgotten when we boarded, greeted by senior staff and with a glass of bubbles, we were escorted to our cabin where our bags were waiting. Our cabin, 508, was very comfortable, with plenty of space for our belongings, and the screen in the bathroom giving a view of the outside from the shower was exciting, as well as acting as a source of light. Our attendant kept everything very clean and was helpful in a range of small ways. I have never had such a thorough lifeboat drill, leaving the theatre to fetch our life jackets, donning them, being checked off and then shown row by row to the lifeboat boarding area. This attention to safety was also shown by the zodiac with the doctor, and a senior officer accompanying all excursions, people on hand to assist with difficult parts of walks and a briefing each evening on how rigorous the next day would be. There always seemed to be entertainment in the main lounge, a singer, classical pianist or a mood music, and on the only sea day there were two short documentaries related to the area. The main lounge and the observation lounge as well as the outdoor areas gave plenty of places to relax, read, talk, play games or just watch the passing views. Even at night it was very pleasant to take the air and look at the stars. The main entertainment however was the excursion program, and what a program. After the evening briefing we looked forward tot he sights of the next day and weren't disappointed. The zodiacs were manned by mainly young, but always very enthusiastic and informative members of the expedition team. We saw whales, turtles, rays, many varieties of birds, crocodiles, dolphins, and some lucky passengers saw a dugong. On shore we visited rock art sites from different periods, and a beach with strange shaped rocks of significance to indigenous Australians, as well as venturing up rivers and gorges. The sunsets were amazing, and the sunrises were probably also spectacular judging by the light I saw early one morning! It was the most wonderful experience to go out on a zodiac and then return to a ship with excellent French food and wine, good company and a warm ambiance. Read Less

We wanted to visit the Kimberley region from the sea and experience rock art and geographic features. We were not particularly interested in the birdlife but found it fascinating nevertheless. The hotels before and after were all we expected - very pleasant stays. The ship was impressive with plenty to keep us occupied on board. Service was very good. The excursions and explanatory talks before and after and the commentary during them were excellent. The cabin was well laid out and comfortable and in a great position. The balcony was a great spot to relax. Food, drinks and service were very good and nothing seemed to be too much to ask the staff, who were very helpful and courteous. We only partook of a little of the entertainment, but what we did experience was enjoyable. Both embarkation and disembarkation were handled quickly and efficiently. All in all it was a great experience and we thoroughly enjoyed very aspect of it. Read Less

My mother in law recommended we go on this cruise. I loved that it was only small (approx 32 passengers & 25 staff) True North could go into areas & gorges that no other boat can enter. The crew members are absolutely fantastic who pay attention to every detail. They are always happy & willing to lend a hand. I always felt safe & extremely well looked after. They were also very encouraging & able to get everyone involved. Our cabin was fantastic, very comfortable beds, all the amenities provided eg, hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner & body wash plus body cream etc. The food was delicious every time & very healthy. I never felt hungry and enjoyed every meal. My favourite place was eagle Falls where we helicoptered there & back & had a bbq which was so upmarket for outside. No expense is ever spared. The clear water holes were fantastic to spend time in where we sat in the water drinking champagne. The most amazing sight was sitting on the very top rock/cave with rock above our heads, rock art behind our heads & a view of waterholes. I felt like I was the only person there. Absolutely spectacular. I can only highly recommend going on this cruise & I would love to go on another True North Cruise perhaps to Papua New Guinea next time. Read Less

True North Kimberley Snapshot 7 night cruise from Broome to Wyndham was the trip of a lifetime. A small ship specifically built to only draw 2 metres thus able to cruise up the many rivers and waterways along the Western Australian coast. 5 Star service with gourmet dining. Young enthusiastic staff selected for their personalities and abilities then trained to operate the very efficient "True North" systems, provided such a well organised, professional yet friendly/relaxing service. There were many activities - walks, climbs, outboard motor boat trips, fishing and of course a huge bonus having a helicopter on board to see the varying expansive sights from the air. Not only the voyage itself but extra activities, accommodation and flights were managed by the True North Travel Agency. Thank you TN team - this trip topped the lot and what a wonderful way to see the magnificence and magic of Australia. Read Less

We chose to cruise the Kimberley coast because it is the only way to see this beautiful and unique part of the world. We wanted a small ship that would allow us access to the best areas and a crew that included people with expertise in all aspects of the region. We were looking for lots of onshore activities and pertinent lectures rather than other forms of entertainment. The cruise fitted our expectations in every way. The cruise director and guest lecturers were excellent and the rest of the crew were friendly, helpful and efficient. The chef was a standout - too much excellent food. Although we are seniors, we were able to take part in all activities except one that involved climbing to a swimming area over large rocks with the aid of a rope. However, there was an alternative cruise through the mangroves so nobody missed out. The only possible disadvantage of a small ship is that the crossing of the Bonaparte Gulf can be rocky, although we weren't seasick. We would highly recommend Coral Expeditions I if you are a likeminded traveller. Read Less

Outstanding in every way. Food amazing and much variety. Cree and staff so friendly and helpful. Guest lecturers/guides very knowledgeable and great sense of adventure and fun. Cabin was large and had surprisingly good storage. The activities planned every day were fascinating and varied, and there was still something to do on board for those who was nted a rest. The scenery and other aspects (Aboriginal art, geology, animals and plants) were explained well. Take the helicopter flight and walk to Mitchell Falls if you can. It’s well worth it! The zodiacs were lots of fun and allowed us to get in close or land to see things. This was my first extended cruise and I enjoyed every minute. If you’re prone to seasickness, get meds from your doctor before going. I did and was affected only once at the end on the run through open waters to Darwin. Broome to Darwin direction was s good choice because it’s calm until the end. We went in late June. Read Less

One of the most remote and beautiful places in the world The KImberley in Australia's northwestern corner is spectacular The Coral Discoverer is an Australian built ship, flying an Australian flag and carrying an all Australian crew. Friendly, clean and professional they made the cruise a true "bucket list" adventure. It is a long way to get there but worth it The ship goes where there are no roads. 30 toot tides, reefs, sea life from crocodiles to whales. Amazing gorges, waterfalls and landscapes.. Places like King George falls and Montgomery reef, Price Regent and King George rivers will take your breath away. An open bridge policy lets you sit with captain as you navigate amazing waters. Cabins are bigger then average, and comfortable. No TV on this cruise, but you don't need it. Great daily lectures from a knowledgeable staff. Make the effort to do this cruise. You will be happy you did. Read Less

We chose this cruise as it was to a unique and remote location with stunning landscapes. We departed from Broome for an 11 day sail to Darwin. Before hand we had done an APT land tour with 18 ppl who all embarked on the cruise as well. The ship was a perfect size with 100 guests. We ate all our meals outdoors on the Lido deck as the weather was perfect every day. The food was a good quality and served quickly after ordering. Most alcoholic beverages were included with a good selection of Australian wines. The expedition staff were amazing and experts in their fields, whether it be whales, crocodiles, birds, marine or geography, we all ended up with tremendous knowledge of all subjects. Everyday had a different stunning view with a zodiac trip ashore. My favourite expeditions were Horizontal Falls by helicopter , zodiac and then by fast boat. The volume of water in unbelievable. Another outstanding tour was leaving at 6.30am for a zodiac trip up King George river and gorge, with a hard hike up to the top of King George Falls. The views very impressive. All the staff were friendly and Captain Mike was good fun and we enjoyed him singing a few numbers on party night on deck. He was regularly seen around the ship and ready for a chat. I would definitely recommend this trip if you are looking for breathtaking landscapes and want to go to places that are rarely visited. A reasonable level of fitness is required for most of the walks. Read Less

Chose this cruise on recommendation of friends. We were not disappointed. The itinerary and service on board the ship were excellent in every respect. The staff were absolutely amazing, friendly, helpful, exceptionally knowledgable and fun - could not do enough for us. Exceptionally professional trip made better by a fun group of people. Our only concern was when we struck incredibly bad weather coming into Darwin (for two nights) - steep stairs dangerous to navigate, and when in cabins, no way to communicate with crew - some form of buzzer system would be good particularly given the age of the passengers. Having said that, the crew were truly amazing in their assistance, particularly in checking on us all during the night. To David and his crew, and Amy and her girls - thank you - you were amazing - service over and beyond the call of duty - particularly during the storm. To our guest presenters, David and Tim- thank you. We look forward to travelling with you again, perhaps New Guinea next time. Read Less

This was my husband and my first toe in the water to cruising - what a way to start. The true north was a luxury home away from home. The crew, the boat and most of all the Kimberley's were remarkable, it rates in our top three holidays. From the moment we were picked up from the hotel in Broome and taken to the beach where tender boats awaited to take us to the True north we knew it would be special. The experience is very much understated luxury - if you are looking for pampering and pretension this cruise may not be for you - the boat has a no shoes policy so from the moment you arrive everyone relaxes and all egos it seems are left at the door. Every day was a new feast for the eyes and adventure. It is a very active 7 days with 2-3 tender trips each day and opportunities to climb to hidden waterfalls, stroll along beaches and discover ancient caves and rock art, or fish along rivers and ocean. The helicopter trips are well worth doing as they take you to places that very few can access or visit. The food - was great. Portions were more than adequate and we did not feel like we had too much food. The staff - young, accommodating and enthusiastic - most where local to the area and had a lot of knowledge to share. The on board marine biologist was very informative and gave great previews and insight to what we were seeing each day. Improvement suggestion - hard to think of one - perhaps including a house wine with meals as part of package rather than having to buy all drinks. Read Less

I booked this cruise through Aurora Expeditions, whom I had sailed with three times before. I mistakenly thought Aurora had contracted the ship as they had done with an Inside Passage Alaskan trip I undertook in 2014. This was not so! I was expecting a rather active voyage around the Northern Australian coast, instead I found myself on a very sedentary voyage with more than half the passengers being older and less active than the 15 of us that anticipated an active voyage. We left Broome and 23 days later arrived in Cairns, Whilst I saw a large amount of things, I was disappointed at the sedentary nature of the journey and at times the arrangements for excursions ashore seemed ad hoc. The ship really wasn't suited for this journey, in quite in small seas it rocked and rolled making a number of passengers sick. Even myself, and I consider myself a good sailor, was thrown around the cabin and other areas. It was a wonder that some of the more fragile passengers did not damage themselves or break a bone. This ship was built around 30 years ago for Great Barrier Reef trips; it is scheduled to do southern and eastern Tasmania soon - I wonder how it will cope. I had a deluxe upper stateroom which was roomy and fine with a good size en-suite. Even so it wasn't classy - I had paid quite a large amount of $s for this trip. The food was superb for the Broome to Darwin section but the cooks changed over in Darwin and it was just adequate from Cairns to Darwin. As stated before I felt the activities scheduled were for more sedentary persons than myself; we missed a couple of visits outlined on the program I received before the voyage; and some activities felt like they were ad hoc - i.e the places we visited weren't really expecting us. The staff on the ship varied from an outstanding purser who kept his staff working at a high level to one expedition staff leader who I wouldn't employ. The highlights of the trip were: - viewing the Kimberley Landscape from the sea, especially Montgomery Reef - the Aboriginal Art Galleries of the Kimberley & North Queensland - visiting places in Arnhem Land that would be difficult to do so from the land - the Torres St islands & Cape York - best of all snorkeling on the outer Great Barrier Reef. I definitely wouldn't go again, I felt a bit disgruntled and betrayed by the company I booked through. Read Less

An amazing "Bucket List" trip! My husband and I decided to see some of Australia and wanted a trip with a "cultural experience" on an Expedition type of cruise. We decided on a trip to the Kimberley area of Australia. As my husband is a teacher we needed to book early to secure a cabin on The Coral Discoverer. This boat only takes 72 passengers which we loved as you really get to know the staff and other passengers. In fact I can honestly say "Small" ship cruising is by far our favourite type of cruising. From the moment we boarded in Broome we were treated like royalty. Personally shown to our wonderful cabin & everything explained in detail to us. There were only 23 Australian crew on board but they are all multi skilled and do a wonderful job of looking after everyone. The food was exceptional and prepared by 2 young chefs who gave us every type of cuisine imaginable from a Seafood Feast to an amazing beach bbq! It was of excellent quality and used local products. Every day was a delight of delicious and interesting food. Our cabin was well equipped with a King Size comfortable bed, couch, desk and double wardrobe. A small but very functional ensuite bathroom serviced twice daily was also good. The excursions were wonderful & run by very knowledgeable leaders who were very well organized and always adhered to a rigorous safety program. The Xplorer excursion vessel was perfect for getting into shallow waters and we had a mixture of wet and dry landings. I highly recommend taking reef sandals. Upon returning to the main ship we were greeted by staff at the bar ready to serve us cold drinks, or my favorite, the new State of the Art Coffee Machine. This machine enabled all of us coffee lovers to get our daily caffeine fix at the push of a button! There was often afternoon tea or baskets of fruit too. Most days it was very smooth sailing; only 1 rough day as we approached Darwin at the end of our trip. I would highly recommend this trip for any adventurous adults. Would not recommend for small children as there is nothing to entertain them & they would be bored. Overall an amazingly different type of cruise & yes I would go again! Read Less

We chose this cruise for my husband's 70th birthday as he is a very keen salt water fly fisherman, and I am a keen photographer, plus we enjoy a bit of luxury and fine dining. Firstly the fact that one had find their own way from the airport to the Cruise office we though was a bit average, considering some people had to wait 30 minutes in the heat for a taxi. In Amsterdam, for a cruise of much less cost, we were met at the Airport. Next, the food. We considered, as did a number of other guests that we spoke with, that the food was very ordinary. In fact, had I been in a 3 star hotel, i would have sent a number of meals back. Tasteless, boring and uniteresting are but 3 words we would use to describe, and not beautifully presented as shown in their brochure. Pork belly was tough and burnt, sous vide steak not seared properly, so quite wet and sloppy. I requested a cheese tomate and onion omelette one morning as I don't eat grain. What i received was the worse example of an omelette ever, with nothing in it, and a bit of cheese grated over the top. Some people thought the food was wonderful, and this just leads me to believe even more that some people just do not know what fine dining and good food is. To claim you will experience excellent modern australian cuisine is just folly to my mind. Only one night on the entire cruise was any entertainment offered after dinner. I wrote a letter as requested about the food, but the response was, to summarize, that they don't see there was any issue. This is in direct contrast to what the sales manager told me 2 weeks lafter the cruise when she phoned me. She advised on the phone that they had received a number of complaints, and that right at that time, the directors were at the ship dealing with the matter and attempting to get some structure into menus (or words along those lines) As I pointed out, if you have pub cooks (at best) and not 5 star chef's, why bother. The response letter I received claims that they had only 3 negative responses about the food. That may be because we (and perhaps others) didn't bother to put in a form so that makes at least 4. Out of 18 cabins, that is about 22% of guests who thought the food rated a low to mid range score. For a small ship, that is getting up there. One night there were mud crabs served on the front deck (not cracked properly). The wind was howling and mustard and crab was flying everywhere. Could someone not have thought to move the event to the back of the ship away from the howling wind? The director in his letter did state that "Normally this activity is a ‘big hit’ with our guests however crew have confirmed that unfortunately, on this occasion, windy conditions did detract from the experience" (well that is an understatement if ever I heard one) Perhaps True North need to have more than just all young crew without a lot of life experience. The young crew were great and lots of fun, however, for the price True North charges, I would expect to have at least one mature, seasoned, quality control officer on board, keeping an eye on every aspect. Not someone who is hands on with activity, but a person who can observe and improve. Had such a person been present at the dinner table, they would have heard many a complaint. The company was not prepared to acknowledge anything wrong though, so why bother. I will look elsewhere for our next Kimberley experience. Certainly not good value for money. The claim about their cuisine, in our opinion, was not true. What you see on their web site under Modern Australian Cuisine....I could only WISH we had seen and tasted some of what they show and talk about there. If they cannot even spell sous-vide correctly on their web site (sous-veined??) how can you possibly expect them to actually carry it out. Very disappointing and even moreso was the response. Read Less

We had been on this cruise previously and found it the best holiday ever. We were not disappointed by going a second time with friends. Though we visited some of the same places there were many new places to visit and even those we'd seen before were just as spectacular and introduced afresh by the knowledge and enthusiasm of Jamie, Mark and Tim. We learned more about different aspects of the Kimberleys and would recommend it to anyone who wants to see parts of Australia which are otherwise inaccessible. We were struck again by the willingness of the crew to make sure that everyone who wanted to participate in any activity could do so. The Explorer on the back of the boat is a genius design and allows even the most physically challenged to go on any of the excursions. The boat is due for a refit soon and the change of livery would be good but the cabins on A deck are superb, comfortable, ample room and beautifully fitted out so who could complain. The food is fantastic and plentiful and the kitchen makes every effort to cater for any request. The staff work very hard and are always available to answer questions and fulfill requests if at all possible. This is not a cruise for children. I'd go for a third time in a heartbeat. Read Less

We sailed from Broome to Darwin through the Kimberleys. The scenery was breathtaking. The daily excursions were full of interest as well as unique and very enjoyable. The staff were amazing. They could not do enough to assist us. You would only have to ask for something once and they acted right away. The tour leaders were so knowledgeable. They bent over backwards to make the tours full of interest. The food was absolutely delicious. The breakfast and lunch were buffet style and the evening meal a la carte. There were many healthy options to choose from. The ship was spotlessly clean. At 6pm every day there would be a recap of the day's activities and then an explanation of what would occur the next day. They told you what to wear, what to take. The safety level was fantastic. I would strongly recommend Coral Expeditions and I would have no hesitation to book another cruise with them. Read Less

What a trip, unless you actually see it yourself you wouldn't believe it. Every day started off beautifully weather wise, company, staff and guides. Our cabins were very comfortable with plenty of room for both of us. Dinning room and lounges around our ship were comfortable and documentaries, screenings, videos, charades, hat making and talks were a treat and must say a little nap time for some after another wonderful day. Christoph, what a wonderful and pleasant chef, always with a smile on his face and what meals he provided us, and must say my steak was perfect. Now what a beautiful country we have, we had no idea just how beautiful an area we were sailing into, every single day was an eye opener and we were blessed with perfect weather. Going out in the explorer every day was an absolute treat, and having beautiful waterfall showers, and fresh water swim wow. Exploring everthing on a whole was more than we imagined possible and seeing is believing. One very exciting treat was going fishing in the explorer with Josh out of the 12 persons who fished almost all caught fish and quite a bit of excitement was had especially by me. Finishing our trip was sad as our trip was over but how bitter sweet it was to have all the crew there for our final farewell, and hugs as well. Home again and we have let our agent and everyone who has asked that telling them about our trip is never enough, and they should do the trip and see for themselves. Thankyou so very very much. Read Less