Coral Expeditions I

We take advantage of our small guest numbers to shine a spotlight on fresh Australian ingredients and boutique breweries and wineries. We make all our meals onboard in small batches, with light and healthy options always available. Mealtimes on all our ships are convivial affairs. We have no assigned seating or fixed time-slots. Dine with new friends, or if you wish to have a quiet table for two, just let our purser know.

Start the day with your choice of a continental breakfast, complete with cereals, fresh fruits and yoghurts or enjoy a fully-cooked breakfast – we offer a buffet complemented by daily made-to-order specialties.

Our lunch buffet showcases a variety of hot and cold dishes; from salads and cold cuts to lighter soups and fresh local seafoods and tropical fruits. Reflect on your day over dinner, which is usually a three-course meal from our table d’hôte menu. There is always a choice of main course options. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be catered for.

Most of our expeditions feature a welcome seafood buffet night and an Australian style barbeque either on a deserted beach or the sundeck – allowing you to soak in the natural environment. When local regulations allow, we make impromptu stops for sunset drinks and canapés ashore.

Lunches and dinners are accompanied by a carefully curated wine list featuring artisanal Australian and New Zealand wines. Selected wines and beer during meal service are included on all expeditions, except our shorter Great Barrier Reef cruises.

Barista-style coffee and tea are complimentary and available 24 hours. Our chefs are known to bake scones or cakes for tea, always a welcome treat after an excursion.

The Sun Deck at the rear with a new bar outdoor area added in 2016 is another popular place to relax and take in the panoramic views.

The ship’s forward lounge is a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery in air-conditioned comfort and features a comprehensive reference library and plasma screens.

We employ a renowned Australian team of our own Expedition Leaders and Guest Lecturers who have a wealth of knowledge of the unique landscapes, flora and fauna and indigenous cultures of the regions we visit Many of our senior expedition staff have been with the company for decades. They come from a range of backgrounds – some of them are expedition guides, others are historians, marine experts, or anthropologists. Whatever their background, they bring a passion for the places we visit. Daily lectures and presentations are always enjoyed by guests. It is during these occasions that you hear about your next explorations.

The Expedition Leaders and Lecturers also accompany you on every shore excursion, providing assistance and interpretation along the way. All our ships carry advanced photography equipment, and where permitted and licensed drones. The Expedition Leaders’ pre-dinner photo recaps, complete with photo and video footage presented in the lounge, are popular events. We keep an expedition log and photo journal of our journey and we gladly give these to you after your trip so you can share your adventure with friends and family. Plus they are a beautiful memento.

Our small ships are equipped with a fleet of excursion tenders to make travelling ashore as simple and comfortable as possible. Designed with flexibility and guest comfort in mind, our inflatable zodiacs, glass bottom boats and unique excursion tender ‘Xplorer’ ensure that even the least intrepid adventurer can explore ashore with ease. Our excursion boats board directly from the ship’s main deck, before the hydraulic platform gently lowers into the water, avoiding the need to clamber aboard or get your feet wet.

On most days during your adventure or expedition cruise, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in two included shore excursions or activities (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), along with onboard briefings and presentations. The vast majority of excursions are included in your cruise price and in key locations, you will have the opportunity to enhance your experience through participation in optional activities such as a helicopter flight over the Kimberley’s spectacular four-tiered Mitchell Falls.