When two plus two’s not you

Caroline rich es explores the challenges of travelling as a singleparent

With a total value of US$73 million, Coral Expeditions’ latest addition, Coral Adventurer, is the largest of the fleet and represents a new direction in design, facilities and passenger comfort for the cruise line. Welcomed into Darwin last month amid pomp and ceremony, the 160-passenger, 5,600 tonne vessel has 58 staterooms and two suites with guests at the ceremony taking a tour of the ship ahead of her onwards departure to East Indonesia and the Spice Islands.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mark Fifield, Group General Manager of Coral Expeditions said “it’s an exciting day to finally have our newly built vessel Coral Adventurer in Australian waters.

“After completing her successful seatrials in March, she performed exceptionally well on her maiden voyage where loyal guests enjoyed her unique and also familiar expedition capabilities.

“Coral Expeditions, with its focus on the Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, the Indonesian Islands and Arnhem Land sailings, is proud to be able to contribute substantially to developing both the capability and the economic value through tourism to the northern Australian tourism economy and the communities we visit on our voyages,“Fifield added.

Coral Adventurer remains true to her expedition roots and is designed to take travellers to unspoilt destinations not accessible to large ships and not often touched by tourists.

The cruise line is committed to working harmoniously with communities with shore excursions created to promote local interaction and cultural exchange.

Upon her return from East Indonesia, Coral Adventurer will homeport in Darwin for a fivemonth season cruising the Kimberley region.