Australia’s Coral Expeditions set to sail into trans-Tasman bubble

Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the trans-Tasman travel bubble between the two countries will come into play at midnight on April 18.

The bubble allows travellers to move both ways across the Tasman without being forced into hotel quarantine and there is no vaccine requirement.

Ann Sherry’s Forum

While the opening of two-way traffic between Australia and New Zealand is for air travel only at this stage, Ann Sherry, Carnival Australia adviser and former chairman who heads the Australian New Zealand Leadership Forum, confirmed that the ANZLF continues to negotiate for the return of cruise ships. 

‘Cruise ships are on my list,’ Sherry told Seatrade Cruise News.

SailSAFE plan

Coral Expeditions Commercial Director Jeff Gillies said the company is in the process of attaining permits and believes its SailSAFE plan will meet New Zealand criteria.

Sherry backed Gillies, saying that, if all the criteria is in place, there is ‘a fair chance’ of getting approval.

It will be Coral Expeditions' eighth season in New Zealand and the first for new flagship Coral Geographer. 

Three NZ voyages

On December 27 the 120-passenger Coral Geographer departs Auckland for a 12-night journey to Milford Sound and a coach transfer to Queenstown. En route the ship travels to the wine region of Hawke’s Bay and will access wilderness areas within Marlborough Sound and Fiordland.

On January 8, 2022, she departs Milford on a 14-night journey to New Zealand’s capital Wellington via the subantarctic Campbell and Auckland islands.

She leaves Wellington on January 23 on an eight-night cruise to Milford Sound, visiting Queen Charlotte Sound, Akaroa, Dunedin, the seaside village of Kaikoura, Stewart Island and Dusky, Doubtful and Thompson Sounds.

On arrival at Milford Sound there is a coach transfer to Queenstown.

Kiwi market

Gillies said Coral Expeditions is currently promoting its product in the New Zealand market, encouraging Kiwis to explore Australian regions like the Kimberley, Tasmania and the Great Barrier Reef.