Have been on cruises with CORALEXPEDITIONS before exploring the Kimberly's and through the Solomon Islands from Cairns to Noumea. All cruises were perfectly organised, Crews always highly motivated and friendly. Food choice and quality outstanding. All ships were well maintained and very clean. The sightseeing programs exceptional good, very interesting. On the recent Great Barrier Reef cruise we had plenty opportunities to snorkel and to dive. My wife was every day for hours snorkeling enjoying the underwater-world, the corals and tropical fish. Because of my age - 80 - I enjoyed the same with the glass-bottom boat and was able to shoot hundred of high quality pictures. A cruise we highly recommend. We are already planning the next cruise with this company for 2020. The ship, a catamaran only about 35 meters long was a bit unstable in the water, but this is a condition quite normal considering the its size. Read Less

Just returned from an amazing 3-night trip around the coral reef. The accommodation was very pleasant, plenty of room along with a good bathroom facilities and good size windows to see the breath-taking views. Food was delightful, good choices with plenty for all. Staff were exceptional and professional the team worked together to provide guests with knowledge and any requirements, being snorkelling lessons, names of fish and corals right up to a perfect Gin & Tonic. Ever guest felt very special and we became one big family Can’t wait to return to do another trip with this company. I would highly recommend this trip a absolutely magnificent way to see the coral reef with experts, there is an activity for everyone, Diving, Snorkelling or just swimming in the sea. great glass bottom boats to see the coral reef you don't even have to get your big toe wet if you are not keen on water sports, just enjoy the amazing views. Read Less

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

We did the most amazing cruise from Broome W.A. to Darwin N.T. 10 night/ 11 days in the most awesome part of the world. There were only 45 passengers on board and the crew were amazing. The excursions which were twice a day were interesting and the guides were amazing in their information about the areas we visited. The scenery and areas in the Kimberley was so amazing and quiet. Heaps of birdlife, wildlife, whales and dolphins and crocodiles. The weather was kind also. I wish I could give 30/10. The service and cleanliness was excellent. Couldn't praise the crew enough. Our cabin was close to the dining room and was cleaned every morning and the bed was pulled back ready for bed at night. Clean towels every day. The food was to die for. Great selection on the menu. Everyone sat wherever they wanted to. Everyone got to know everyone. Read Less

My cruise with Coral Expeditions began with their smooth and generous handling of my travel delays. They went above and beyond to make sure I could embark as planned. Because of my delayed arrival, I did not get to see anything of Cairns. The cruise itself went from Cairns to Cooktown and then along the Great Barrier Reef and back to Cairns, departing Monday evening and returning Friday morning. The first night featured a spectacular buffet dinner in the comfortable dining room, where I met my fellow cruisers. There were only 22 of us, so everyone was able to meet and mingle. The other guests ranged from a family (grandparents, parents, and ten-year-old) to several retired singles and couples to a couple of middle-aged vacationers (including me). Everyone but me was Australian; I am American. We all got along swimmingly. At our first stop, Cooktown, we toured the town and then visited the Cook Museum, where a member of the local Aboriginal community gave an excellent lecture on Cook's interactions with the Aboriginal people. The museum was located in a former nunnery, with an addition in spectacular modern architecture. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Cooktown from the various exhibits. We then cruised out to the Reef, enjoying a presentation from the cruise director on the Reef, the threats it faces, the corals, and the fish and other creatures. We anchored at Lizard Island and enjoyed cocktails on the beach at sunset. We spent the night there and the next morning snorkeled and scubaed the fringe reefs along the island. The rest of the cruise saw us visiting the ribbon reefs at the edge of Australia. Amazing! While I cannot scuba (asthma), several of my fellow cruisers took advantage of Coral Expeditions excellent dive services daily; the dive captain also offered introductory diving lessons (for those who had no medical obstacles!). Those of us who snorkeled saw many amazing corals and fish. Our vessel, Coral Expeditions II, also has a glass-bottomed boat, and we had multiple trips daily where the cruise director (also a marine biologist) helped interpret what we were seeing. We saw a minke whale, reef sharks, and countless gorgeous tropical fishes. Our cruise also benefited from the presence of Naomi Hogan, an illustrious Aboriginal artist, who discussed her work and supervised us in hand-building clay artwork. The clay was engineered to dry in the sun, so we were also able to paint our projects under Naomi's supervision. Several guests on the cruise were there specifically because of Naomi's lectures and art classes. There were other evening activities, but I am unable to report on them as I was dealing with serious jet-lag (14 hour time difference!) and went to bed early every night. The food continued to be excellent throughout. Every morning was a buffet breakfast including hot and cold dishes. Lunch was likewise a buffet. Mid-afternoon was tea, with freshly baked scones and clotted cream, as well as other snacks. Dinner was varied: one night the captain barbecued on the deck, and the two other nights we ordered from the chef's menu. There was a full bar, where we paid by the drink. Some of my cruisemates purchased bottles of wine that they then drank over several meals. An espresso machine was available in the lounge 24-7 for espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes, and other hot beverages were also available full time. My cabin was very comfortable; I was alone in a cabin with two single beds and was not required to pay a single supplement. The linens were soft, and the mattress was top-notch. The bathroom was spacious for onboard, especially the shower, which also featured an extendable clothesline for bathing suits and other wet clothing. The decor was slightly old-fashioned. The crew were professional, friendly, and generous, giving five-star service. In addition to the captain, tour director, dive captain, and chef, there were also a purser (who ran the dining room), two deckhands (who also helped with snorkeling and diving), two stewards (who waited tables and cleaned our rooms), and several other staff. I believe there were 13 staff total, giving an excellent ratio with 22 guests. I give Coral Expeditions, our vessel, the crew, and the cruise my highest recommendation. A fantastic experience. Read Less

We choose Coral Expeditions because it is an Australian company and therefore had a depth of local knowledge and experience. The added bonus was they were launching a new boat, the Coral Adventurer in time for us to join the Broome to Darwin journey. Our total experience was beyond expectation. The boat was luxurious and spacious. There were plenty of places to relax, eat and drink on the outside decks as well as a comfortable lounge large enough to hold us all for group briefings or presentations. The cabin was spacious and had a king size bed. Cabins were serviced at least twice a day and linen and toiletries were top end. Meals were excellent and maintained their standard of high quality, freshness and variety throughout the entire trip despite being in a remote area. The crew, from the Captain down. were incredibly friendly, fun and helpful yet always maintained a professional approach . They all multitasked. including the Captain, which was great to see as there was a real team feeling about the adventure. Expedition staff were well organised with nothing left to chance. Communication about activities and events was clear and consistent. We knew exactly what to expect about every excursion. Expedition staff went out of their way to help everyone on board achieve as much as they wanted in terms of participation in activities and it was all done with a smile and encouragement. Having the 'walk on' tender also was a great help in assisting everyone to take part but the crew was also very helpful in assisting passengers who wanted to take part in the zodiac excursions. Both guest lecturers were excellent and provided interesting insight and further information about the various excursions. The added bonus from the trip as if it wasn't excellent enough was the ability to download trip notes, photos and a video, making it really easy to relieve our brilliant experience. We enjoyed the relaxed feel of the ship; not having to dress for dinner was appreciated. Thank you Coral Expeditions for making this trip so memorable. Read Less

This small ship expedition cruise was absolutely amazing. From embarkation to disembarkation the whole hard working crew could not have been more cheerful and helpful. The new ship has obviously been purposefully designed and it showed. With plenty of well laid out public spaces for the 120 guests it was hard to believe there were so many on board. Our balcony cabin was a good size and immaculate. The food was fantastic and I'd love to get hold of some of those soup recipes. The two 'Explorer' vessels and the ribs meant we all got to visit so many wonderful places in the Kimberley. There was always something available that catered for all abilities with the whole experience enhanced by the wealth of knowledge provided by the expedition leaders & lecturers. The open bridge made us feel even more at home. Thank you so much to all on board who made these first time cruisers feel so welcome and keen to do more of this type of cruising. 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

We chose this cruise as they use proper tenders plus zodiacs. They have shade, proper seats and even a loo. The guides were first class and we learnt so much about the land, aboriginal rock art and how the Aborigines lived. The ship took us to the Horizontal Falls which were amazing, we went through in zodiacs. Then the Montgomery Reef which is huge at about 40 kms long. When the tide changes, water pours off as in waterfalls and hundreds of turtles are waiting to catch fish. We saw crocodiles and nurse sharks. Whirlpools were amazing and also the BOAB tree with HMS Mermaid 1820 carved on it near Careening Bay. The lectures were excellent but the cruise was let down by the disorganised hotel side. No breakfast marmalade and it took days before I obtained low fat milk. The staff looked at me as if I had asked for the moon! We were called to dinner long before they were ready for us and food grew cold without proper heating especially stone cold porridge. Surely they could organise hot plates underneath. The food was fairly good and desserts the best part. We have cruised often and feel they have a lot to learn. The carpet in our cabin wasn’t vacuumed often. The dining room was under-staffed and the kitchen too small to cope with so many diners at once. The staff were inclined to chat rather than be efficient. The lecturers, tours etc were first class. No fridge and no TV. Definitely need a fridge. When we were due to embark, we asked if we would get breakfast on board as it was so early. We were told yes. Of course that did not happen. There is no excuse for that. Read Less

This expedition cruise company are first class regarding the education that passengers receive about the plant and animal life we encounter. The pristine beauty of the fish and coral life on the Great Barrier Reef was the highlight of this cruise. The ship is very comfortable and well appointed and due to her smaller size she can access remote places of beauty in marine parks that large ships never could. The dining is 1st class and the crew are very accessible, knowledgeable and professional. I was impressed with the service and the size of our cabin. The shore excursions involved walks to some amazing lookout points on Dunk Island, Fitzroy Island and Lizard Island. Plus of course the drinks and canapes on the beach to watch the sunset. If you have an adventurous spirit and wish to travel with a smaller number of like minded people who are interested in wildlife, conservation, education, fresh air, plenty of activity at any age and wish to do it in comfort, this is the cruise for you. Read Less

In February we enjoyed a fabulous 7-night Tasmanian cruise out of Hobart. It was our third cruise on the Coral Discoverer and it was great to see that the crew keep her in tip top condition. There were quite a few familiar faces in the crew, and all are friendly and welcoming. The cruise documentation states that the itinerary is flexible and will vary according to weather and sea conditions. We saw that flexibility on the first day when we were not able to visit the Huon Valley due to bushfires. The compensation was that we were encouraged to rise early on the first morning and we were treated to a stunning sunrise as we transited Port Davey. Every day was filled with shore excursions meticulously planned by Expedition Leader, Mark. Guest Lecturers, Catherine and Steve, both Tasmanians, gave very interesting short presentations on a wide range of topics. As well as their presentations, Mark, Catherine and Steve were with us on every excursion, sharing their knowledge at every opportunity. Steve lead most of the longer more challenging walks and was great at planning the walks, assessing everyone’s capabilities and limits and supporting and encouraging everyone during the walks. There were some hills to climb, but it was always very satisfying to get to the top and enjoy the stunning views. There were always less strenuous options available such as shorter walks, or a scenic cruise. There is no additional charge for any of the excursions. Some of the highlights of the cruise were the sighting of a pair of endangered orange bellied parrots, frequent dolphin sightings and seeing the amazing fur seal colony on Illes des Phoques at such close quarters. Then there were the cute wombats. Not only did we see lots of them, we discovered that the poo is cube shaped (and why it is cube shaped) and that they can outrun Usain Bolt over 100 metres. We were enthralled with stories of the early explorers and settlers. It was good to listen and pay attention as there was a quiz on the last day. All meals were served in the dining room with breakfast and lunch being hot and cold buffet style. Always plenty of variety. Dinner was 3 course a la carte. There is only a limited selection of dishes on the menu, but the chefs are always willing to be flexible with dishes, you just have to ask. The 2 chefs freshly prepare all meals for the, up to, 72 passengers, using local ingredients wherever possible. Passengers were often popping their heads into the kitchen on the way out of the dinning room to thank the chefs for their meals - how often do you have the opportunity to do that? Evening entertainment was usually DVDs relating to the area that we were travelling through. Most times though, it was early to bed to rest up for the next day's exploration. Much of the area that we visited is wild, remote and inaccessible except by sea. With the Coral Discoverer’s professional crew, we experienced it all in safety and comfort and it will leave lasting memories. We have our next cruised booked already. :) Read Less

We have always wanted to visit Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land, Torres Strait Islands and the tip of Australia. This trip covered all these places and more. Everyday was an adventure and gave us a greater understanding of Indigenous Australians, the environment and WWII history in this area. We were privileged to have guides onboard who have extensive knowledge of these areas and wonderful connections with the people as well. We visited remote communities, deserted islands and swam and snorkelled in pristine areas of the Great Barrier Reef. This was an exploration cruise, no pool, no shows, no bingo so not suitable for people who cruise for these services. There were 40 odd guests and everyone made an effort to sit with different people at mealtime. Cocktails/drinks watching the stunning sunsets were an afternoon ritual, nothing was too much trouble for the staff and the food was fantastic. By the end of the cruise staff and guests were like one big family with shared experiences. I have never experienced that on a cruise before. I could go on and on about our wonderful experiences but there were so many. We loved it so much we have put in an expression of interest for their Kimberley Cruises in 2020. We do need to save as they are not a cheap cruise but worth every cent. We could not have gained access to many of the places we visited otherwise. Read Less

We thoroughly enjoyed Coral Discoverer and the trip from Darwin to Broome. The whole team were very professional and as we said to the Captain on our departure in Broome the culture of the ship was exemplary – nothing was too much trouble and all went out of their way to make our trip memorable. The itinerary was ‘adjusted’ to take account of tides and weather and while we did not see some of the sites quoted in the brochures we saw others that more than made up for this. We cruised up huge rivers, experienced amazing indigenous art sites, saw ancient sandstone cliffs and walls, went by zodiac through the Horizontal Falls, and had informative explanatory commentary from the knowledgeable expedition leader and from the visiting naturalist. Some of the shipboard lectures were very informative and most evenings there was a relevant movie about the Kimberley, but it was not 'entertainment' a la cruise ship!! Not that we wanted or expected that mind you. Just explaining the rating. We are most satisfied with our decision to go with Coral Discoverer having now reviewed some of the other offerings available with this great experience behind us – the use of the large aluminium tender Xplorer for initial runs off the ship, and then transfers as required to zodiacs was a great way to experience the highlights – of which there were many.A great finish on the last day heading for Broome and almost on cue was a spectacular display by a pod of about twelve whales - the most sustained and beautiful we have ever experienced - serendipitous but very welcome! Not a cheap cruise/expedition by any means but very good value for money for this amazing experience. Read Less

I am a semi retired Master mariner with over 45 years of experience in a a variety of passenger vessels worldwide. I enjoy travelling as a passenger with my wife recently on boutique type cruise vessels. I have no connection with any shipping company,shipping agency or travel agency and write this review purely as an independent tourist accompanied by my wife. We booked a 4 night cruise from Cairns to Cooktown ,Lizard Island and various reefs along the Great Barrier Reef.I have transited the Barrier Reef pilotage many times previously in my seagoing career but wanted a closer look at the reef without the rush of a day trip from Cairns.Coral Expedition 2 appeared to be our only option to achieve this. The vessel is very old and outdated and not suited to cruising in open waters. A catamaran cannot be stabilized as on a mono hull and is far from comfortable in the regular southeasterly conditions that can be encountered on the East coast. the cabins are clean with reasonable size bathrooms.However the dinning room resembles a compact crew mess and is far to small for the number of passengers on this vessel.The buffet style dining for most meals entails squeezing along a line to make your selection.Less memorable were the two evening meals of the table d'hote style.We had to order our meals at lunch time (just like a hospital or boarding school).One meal consisted of two tiny pieces of pork and 4 florets of broccoli and an equally small panna cotta dessert, minuscule and hardly a proper meal and not value for money. The visit to Cooktown was a token 2 hours and hardly long enough to look around.. The reef visits were okay but there is an archaic "safety manifest" for all guests to sign on departure from each stop whether you have left the vessel or not.I was resting in my cabin with the "do not disturb ' notice on the door when i was harassed to sign this silly piece of paper.I realise the vessel doesn't want to leave anyone behind but on the modern ships i have worked there are far less intrusive methods for checking crew and passenger numbers. Having done a similarly priced boutique cruise in the Pacific last year we were totally underwhelmed with our experience.At no stage were we made to feel welcome by the Australian crew and more like a mild inconvenience to them. In conclusion i would not recommend this cruise to anyone as it is not value for money. 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

We spent 4 nights sailing around the Great Barrier Reef. Most of the excursions are snorkelling the reef which was absolutely amazing.The ship was very comfortable with good size cabins and nice common areas. The food was very good, well presented and more then enough to eat. The staff were wonderful, very friendly and went out of their way to help. My mother is a weak swimmer and the trip director pull her around with life ring every time we went snorkelling. The staff was very careful to keep an eye on everyone in the water and ready to help you with your equipment. There was glass bottom boat rides as well as snorkelling at each reef. Getting on and off the boat was very easy. This has been my favourite thing we have done on our trip to Australia. I would come back just to do this cruise again. Everything went very smoothly. Highly recommend. Read Less

We chose this cruise to explore the Cape and Arnhem Land. Unfortunately Cyclone Nora decided to have the owners and captain make the decision to cancel the cruise at Horn Island. They are to be congratulated in the way this was done and the way in which they got everyone safely back to Cairns. If we had continued we would have been right in the path of Cyclone Nora and who knows what would have happened. We were offered half the cost of our cruise back or could choose a free cruise from 5 options. We love Expeditions 1 and will be boarding her again in Darwin in October to do our cruise in reverse hence seeing Arnhem Land plus have the opportunity to again explore the coastline and islands from the tip of Australia back to Cairns. Captain and Crew were all excellent and we look forward to cruising with them again. Read Less

This company has cruising to a fine art. If you want to see the Great Barrier Reef, go snorkelling or diving then the staff will do everything to help you fulfill your dream. They have your safety as a priority. You visit a no. of Coral Sea Islands, learn about the fish and coral on the reef. The food is great with buffet lunch and breakfast with a choice for dinner, including a BBQ and seafood night. Morning and afternoon tea are also available. The ship enables you to get to know other passengers. Open dining allow this. The expedition boat accessible from the back deck means no tenders are needed just walk straight on to the expedition boat. It has covering to protect from the sun. As the days are quite active, including hiking on one of the islands, snorkelling, walking and visiting a turtle rehab. centre entertainment apart from movies are not needed, but the lovely lounge is a great place to get together. The top deck provides an excellent area to view the beautiful scenery. Read Less

Having sailed on the Coral Discoverer (previously Oceanic Discoverer) from Darwin to Broome in 2015 our party of six decided to "do it again" ie. enjoy a nice cabin along with great service, friendly staff, great food and drink offerings whilst we sail and view magnificent scenery, visit historic places, walk in wilderness areas, enjoy enlightening talks and films and have a lot of fun in the process. We were not disappointed, Coral Discoveries provided just what we expected plus some, another great holiday. The weather was kind to us as it has been known to worse down south, but that can be the case anywhere on any holiday. This ship has room for 72 people and carries landing craft where you can board and go ashore without getting your feet wet most of the time, The Explorer carries all 72 people on excursions, as well there are a few kayaks available and the larger inflatables for excursions when required. We are looking forward to our next adventure with Coral Discoveries, where? who knows as they go lots of different places.. Read Less

We had long desired to travel to PNG but had a few trepidations. This cruise out of Madang offered an opportunity to engage with traditional village cultures on one of the great rivers of the world. It exceeded all expectations. We stayed at the highly recommended Madang Resort Hotel/Kalibobo Village complex and departed from its private wharf for an overnight voyage west along the coast to the mouth of the Sepik. Twelve varied and fascinating villages were visited on our 300kms voyage upriver and each entranced us with welcoming sing-sings with the villagers performing wonderful and, at times, mesmerising dances. Many billum bags and carvings were for sale at very low prices. There were opportunities to engage with the villagers and many spoke English as it is taught in the schools. School visits, sago production, local cooking, facepainting, garamut drums and sacred flutes enhanced the trip. On board ship to further explain local customs were an anthropologist, a much-revered ex-politician and a Sepik man who also eased our visits to the villages. Our guides and crew were all experienced and highly professional. Our cabin was spacious & very comfortable with its own en-suite. An excellent chef carefully prepared food which was varied, plentiful and tasty. Boarding the tender for our numerous shore visits was simple and safe. The villagers are very welcoming & rich in traditions and culture but cash poor. Take gifts of cotton clothing, balls (tennis, soccer volleyballs), school resources (pencils, exercise books, picture books). Engage with the locals and enjoy a safe, comfortable and fascinating experience which will amaze and delight long after you return home. Read Less

On the strength of a seven day cruise on this small ship (70 passengers max) around the southern coast of New Zealand, we booked for the seven day voyage around the east, south and west coast of Tasmania. It was flawless. the captain, Gary Wilson, and his amazing crew provided us with an extremely comfortable and luxurious haven from which to experience the extraordinary Tasmanian coastline. We had wonderful weather that allowed us a near-perfect sail around to the exquisite Port Davey in Tassie's South West National Park for two nights in this World Heritage wilderness; a pristine and sheltered environment that hopefully will still be here for generations to come. Congratulations to all of those environmentalists over the years who have resisted government and industry attempts to debase such magical places with unnecessary development. Access is strictly controlled and it became clear when we climbed several local hills for panoramic views of the labyrinthine waterways, extending out to the Arthur Range on the blue horizon. For me, this was a highlight of the trip because of the difficulty in even reaching Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour in bad weather. A serene sail across a mirror-smooth Southern Ocean took us up the east coast to Freycinet where regardless of some light rain, we again were able to walk up to another lookout over Wineglass Bay. Then it was onto Maria Island for a dramatic (weatherwise) stroll to the fossil cliffs before an unforgettable sail down the east coast past the highest dolerite cliffs in the world on Cape Pillar -- 300 metres! It was right there that the finale arrived in the form of a 40 knot gale, making scenes of those foreboding cliffs even more dramatic. Another highlight for all of and extremely well handled by our ship, the Coral Discoverer, which again proved her stability in rough seas. We had previously been in nine metre seas on the south coast of New Zealand in this ship and knew of her capabilities. An alternative tour of Port Arthur with an amazing guide who, we suspect, is a Shakespearean actor (or should be) before our departure in Hobart on a fine, clear morning. Overall, a wonderful trip to an unforgettable and unique destination. Highly recommended! Read Less

Great small ship experience sailing the Tasmanian coast. Extremely well organised. Food and guest cabins were above average. Quality of lectures, included excursions and hikes, professionalism of crew were exceptional. Crew were Australian. The captain was a historian. Ship was kept spic and span. Icing on the cake were fellow guests - well traveled, sophisticated but not show-offs, great conversations over meals -- and yes wine and beer included :) We had a cabin on C deck (second least expensive category). Cabin was not luxurious but reasonably spacious. Serviced twice a day. Daily linen change and very good quality linen (I am a stickler). Toiletries were an Australian brand. Good moisturiser (need it for the dry climate). A very different cruise experience - more like a large yacht. Tasmania is beautiful. Straight out a fairy tale. We saw seals, dolphins, wallabies, kangaroos, many different types of birds. Soaring cliffs and white sand beaches. Temperature ranged from cool to chilly. Read Less

We booked this 12 night cruise from Cairns to Papua New Guinea some 18 months before departure. Previously we had used the same company for a cruise from Broome to Darwin. Both cruises are quite expensive. We felt value for money wise and adventure wise that the trip from Broome to Darwin was far superior. On the PNG islands trip "The place time forgot" we felt that it was too much of the same. There was no adventure. I guess we should have given the trip a lot more consideration before going on it. Of course their brochure is a great selling point. All in all, the staff were excellent, the food was excellent but I would not do the trip again as it was not value for money. For example, at over $1000.00 per day for each guest one had to pay $3.00 for a bottle of water. Although there are desalinators on board there is nothing like a bottle of water. I couldn't believe we had to pay this per bottle of water. Quite miserly. We met some great people who also share the same opinion. If one doesn't make these comments future guests are really in the dark. So my advice is to really do your research before committing to this PNG experience. Read Less

Friends had indicated a cruise down the Kimberley coast was one of their best holidays yet. This trip was booked as a round trip from Broome to Darwin by coach and back to Broome by boat through APT/Travelmarvel. Previous experience with this company had proven to provide first class guides, accommodation and travel by boat, coach and train without having to double check each component of my journey. The harsh reality of my experience on Coral Expeditions was a continuous feeling of sleep deprivation and discomfort as a result of the unlivable cabin I had been allocated. (see critique of cabin). At no time had the cruise been described as an Ecological Study Tour . Though the guides were excellent there was no escape from the bombardment of information on fauna, flora, topography, geology and indigenous art and history as day tours were complimented by evening lectures or documentaries on the same. As a result, there was no other form of entertainment or distraction if you chose to stay onboard. I also suffered a fall down a cliff face after a swim in an elevated lagoon. Coral Expedition personnel were responsible for safety however were distracted at the time of my fall even though they were standing on the same ledge I was descending to. As a result I spent 36 hours on my back without any follow-up on my condition. Read Less