Sponsored By

Coral Expeditions releases 2024-25 Kimberley cruise guideCoral Expeditions releases 2024-25 Kimberley cruise guide

Cairns-based Coral Expeditions’ 2024-25 Kimberley cruise guide is now available.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

January 18, 2024

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

The company said that 30 years ago, when it made the first exploratory cruises in the Kimberley, it had to rely on hand-drawn ‘mudmaps’ and the knowledge of fishermen and early explorers to navigate the vast and unpredictable coastline.

Today, with decades of experience, Coral Expeditions' just-released guide features current maps with itinerary locations, voyage highlights and details of its three-ship fleet — the 120-passenger Coral Geographer and Coral Adventurer and the 72-passenger Coral Discoverer — all with shallow drafts to access the remote wilderness of the Kimberley.

Xplorer tenders

As well as Zodiacs, they have the company’s high-speed Xplorer tenders that are brought to the main deck by a hydraulic lift for easy access before being lowered into the water.

The Xplorers, that carry from 60 to 72 passengers, have padded seats, an overhead canopy and a toilet.

First-hand reports

The new guide also reproduces first-hand reports of expedition leaders and guest lecturers about their Kimberley experiences.

‘As the pioneer of expedition cruising in Australia, our Kimberley expedition is a well-established true Australian signature experience that is unrivalled by any other competitor,’ MD Mark Fifield said.

‘We are delighted to present our 2024-25 Kimberley guide, a testament to our continued commitment to provide unparalleled adventure experiences,’ Fifield said.

Coral Expeditions’ first 2024 Kimberley cruise departs Broome for Darwin on April 5.

Footnote: Many passengers wonder about the Kimberley’s name.

The region was named in 1879 by government surveyor Alexander Forrest after Secretary of State for the Colonies, John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley.

Read more about:

Coral Expeditions

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

The latest cruise news, analysis and more straight to your inbox
Get the free newsletter read by industry experts

You May Also Like