Coral Adventurer Ship: Ultimate Guide

If your idea of a cruise doesn’t involve packed pool decks or formal nights, you’re in the right place. Coral Adventurer is a breath of fresh sea air. An expedition ship designed for travellers who’d rather swap crowds for crocodile-spotting in the Kimberley or sip a local brew while chatting with villagers in Papua New Guinea.

Built in 2019 and proudly Aussie-owned, this ship carries just over 100 guests, making it one of the most intimate and purpose-built vessels sailing around Australia and the remote reaches of the South Pacific. It’s small enough to sneak into hard-to-reach places but big enough to give you a comfy bed, great meals, and a glass of wine at sunset.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect on board, from the destinations you’ll explore this season to the dining, activities, and accommodation that make Coral Adventurer such a standout. 

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2025/26 Itineraries and Destinations

If you’re the kind of traveller who prefers uncharted shores over crowded ports, Coral Adventurer’s 2025/26 line-up is basically a dream come true. This isn’t your standard Mediterranean loop. These are remote, small-group expeditions through some of the most culturally rich and naturally wild parts of the world.

Let’s start with Papua New Guinea. With departures in December 2025, Coral Expeditions is offering a deep dive into PNG’s frontier lands with their volcanic coastlines, untouched coral reefs, and village welcomes that’ll stick with you forever.

Then there’s the Louisiades, Solomons and Vanuatu itinerary in January 2026, which strings together 16 nights of stunning blue lagoons, vibrant marketplaces, and stories passed down through generations. It’s island-hopping, sure, but without the cocktail umbrellas and with a whole lot more heart.

And if you’re ready to go even further off-grid, the Micronesia expedition in February 2026 spans 21 nights and visits places you might need to zoom in five times on Google Maps to find. Crystal-clear waters, WWII relics, and atolls that seem straight out of a documentary.

And for the truly committed, there’s a 60-day circumnavigation of Australia kicking off in October 2025. Two full months of exploring the Aussie coastline, with 48 shore excursions built in. From the wilds of the Kimberley to Margaret River wine country, this one’s a bucket-list breaker.

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Dining and Culinary Experience

Dining on the Coral Adventurer is straightforward: good food made with local flavours and served simply, but elegantly. Meals here are about fresh produce, regional ingredients, and sitting down with fellow travellers to share stories over a glass of wine (which is also included with lunch and dinner).

Breakfast and lunch are usually buffet-style. Think tropical fruits, fresh-baked breads, proper espresso, and hot dishes full of flavour. Lunch might be a seafood spread one day and a curry station the next, depending on where you’re sailing.

Dinner is more of a laid-back three-course affair, with daily menus featuring everything from freshly grilled barramundi to slow-cooked lamb. They keep things regional when they can, so expect Aussie prawns, bush herbs, and tropical touches from the islands you’re cruising past.

There are also sunset drinks up on the Vista Deck before dinner most nights (weather permitting). It’s less about dress codes and more about grabbing a chilled glass of something and watching the horizon glow orange.

If you have dietary needs, the kitchen is used to catering for vegetarians, gluten-free guests, and more. Just give them a heads-up when you book, and they’ll look after you.

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Onboard Activities [Family, Kids and Couple]

On the Coral Adventurer, you won’t find water slides or kids’ clubs, and that’s kind of the whole point. This is cruising for curious minds and nature lovers.

For couples, this ship is a goldmine. Mornings might start with a shore landing to explore an uninhabited island or meet locals in a remote village, followed by snorkelling in untouched reefs or cruising mangroves in a tender boat. Afternoons are for lazing on the deck with a book, sipping something cold, and soaking in the scenery.

There’s a lecture lounge where the expedition team runs daily briefings and presentations. These aren’t school-style lectures. They’re genuinely interesting chats about the place you’re about to explore, complete with stories, maps, and wildlife photos. Nerdy in the best way.

And then there’s the open bridge policy. You can head up to the bridge and have a yarn with the crew, check out the navigation gear, or just get a killer view.

Evenings are super chill. No theatre shows or bingo nights, just good conversation, maybe a board game, and plenty of sea breeze.

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Accommodations Details

Every room on Coral Adventurer faces the ocean. That’s a big deal. There’s no such thing as an “inside cabin” here, and even the most basic rooms come with natural light, comfy beds, and smart storage.

Here’s a breakdown of their offerings:

• Coral and Promenade Explorer Deck Staterooms (17 m²): Cosy and functional, with either portholes or big picture windows. You’ll get a junior king-size bed (or two singles), a writing desk, an armchair, a wardrobe, and an ensuite. Nothing flashy, just clean, comfortable, and designed for proper rest between adventures.
  
• Explorer and Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms (21.4 m²): These come with private balconies. This is ideal for morning coffee or stargazing. Same comfy setup as the lower-deck rooms but with that extra dose of outdoor space.
  
• Bridge Deck Balcony Suites (55.8 m²): Now we’re talking. These are roomy, light-filled, and seriously nice. They’ve got lounge areas, personal espresso machines, stocked minibars, and outdoor daybeds. The bathroom even has picture windows so you can soak in the tub while watching the ocean roll by. There are only two of these, so if you’re keen, book early.

Whichever room you choose, you’ll get a sense of thoughtful design without any over-the-top décor. It’s all about relaxing, not impressing.

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Deck Plan

Five decks. Sixty staterooms. The layout of Coral Adventurer is simple and user-friendly. You won’t need a map in your pocket to find your way across the cruise ship. 

• Coral Deck is where you’ll board and hop onto the Xplorer tenders. It’s also home to the Coral Deck Staterooms.
  
• Promenade Deck is for dining and walking around the ship—there’s a full wraparound deck so you can stretch your legs and soak up the view.
  
• Explorer Deck is where you’ll find balcony staterooms and the main tender loading platform. It’s cruise HQ for getting off the ship and into the wild.
  
• Bridge Deck gives you more balcony rooms and suites, plus access to the bridge itself—yep, you can walk right in (the crew are legends).
  
• Vista Deck is an open-air heaven. Think sunset drinks, panoramic views, and a whole lot of sky.

There’s an elevator between decks (except Vista), so accessibility is well covered, too.

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FAQs