Aussie line Coral Expeditions steps up domestic sailings in 2022 and 2023

Australian-flagged Coral Expeditions, the three-ship line that has been sailing without incident since November, has unveiled a comprehensive domestic sailing schedule for 2022 with additional coastal wilderness itineraries to replace international cruises because of the continuing uncertainty over the opening of border restrictions.

Coral Expeditions has also opened bookings for its April to September Kimberley season in 2023. “As we continue to see travel uncertainty, particularly across international borders, we want to provide confidence and early planning opportunities for our guests and travel industry partners,” said Jeff Gillies, Coral’s commercial director. There will be 10 new Kimberley cruises scheduled for next year aboard the new Coral Geographer during the popular period from April to June. Cruising the Kimberley will continue to be “hot destination” in 2022, he said. “This iconic cruise is a true bucket list for any Australian adventurer and we will have three purpose-built expedition ships operating in the Kimberley in 2022 and 2023. Our expedition team have been exploring the region for three decades. In the vast expanses of the Kimberley, there is no substitute for experience,” Mr Gillies added. Some of the new Kimberley itineraries include a 10-night journey between Darwin and Broome onboard Coral Geographer and new sailing dates for a 12-night cruise to Ashmore Reef, Adele Islands and the spectacular Rowley Shoals Marine Park departing on 12, 24 and 28 September next year.

The line will also offer an 18-night itinerary on Coral Adventurer between Cairns and Broome departing on 1 and 20 January next year. Coral Geographer will also head south to cruise Australia’s Great Southern Coastline sailing past the towering sandstone cliffs of Bunda as well as visiting the pristine marine outpost of the Archipelagos of the Recherche. The 14-night itinerary from Melbourne to Fremantle onboard Coral Geographer will depart of 1 March 2022. Coral Expeditions restarted sailings in October last year offering small ship cruises limited to under 100 passengers, operating under its strict SailSafe and COVID-19 health protocols. It has sailed 51 incident-free voyages since restarting operations late last year. For more information visit www.coralexpeditions.com