Coral Expeditions
PremiumSee how Coral Expeditions describes itself vs how we list it
What to say on a call
Best for
- 1Fare includes all excursions with the Expedition Team, all meals, wine, beer, cider and selected spirits with lunch and dinner, 24-hour barista coffee, standard Starlink Wi-Fi, national park and port fees, and tips and gratuities.
- 2Three small Australian-flagged ships: Coral Discoverer (72 guests) and the 120-guest Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer, with signature Xplorer tenders boarded from a hydraulic platform for dry landings, plus Zodiacs and kayaks.
- 3Australian line based in Cairns since 1983, part of the NRMA Group; relaxed, no-tipping, open-bridge style.
- 4All cabins face outside; suites only on Coral Geographer (6) and Coral Adventurer (2).
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise line90 days before departure
Balance due 90 days before departure (invoice emailed). Bookings made within 90 days of departure pay the full fare at booking. Package balances are also due 90 days out and are non-refundable.
Applies to: All bookings (Cruise Ticket Terms and Conditions, 'For bookings made after 1 November 2023'; prices in AUD; one global site, no separate US terms)
Prices/fees are published in AUD; confirm USD amounts at booking.
Deposit
Per cruise line20% of the fare at booking (non-refundable)
20% of the fare to confirm the booking (non-refundable). Reservations can hold a cabin for up to 7 days before the deposit is paid. Bookings within 90 days of departure pay in full. Optional Deposit Protection costs $110 per person (AUD), must be bought with the deposit, and lets the guest move the deposit once to another cruise departing within 12 months of activation, if activated in writing more than 90 days before departure (180 days for the Australian Circumnavigation).
Applies to: All bookings (Cruise Ticket Terms and Conditions, 'For bookings made after 1 November 2023'; prices in AUD; one global site, no separate US terms)
Stay & Cruise package bookings: 20% non-refundable deposit, Deposit Protection not available. MyNRMA Rewards members get Deposit Protection free. Prices/fees are published in AUD; confirm USD amounts at booking.
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise lineSee details below
Written notice required; penalties apply from when Coral receives it. 90 or more days before departure: lose the 20% deposit. 60-89 days: 50% of the fare. 59 days to no-show: 100%. Date change more than 90 days out: $500 per person (AUD); a date change within 90 days counts as a cancellation. Other amendments after confirmation: $200 per person. A name change counts as a cancellation.
Applies to: All bookings (Cruise Ticket Terms and Conditions, 'For bookings made after 1 November 2023'; prices in AUD; one global site, no separate US terms)
If Coral cancels for weather or an 'Unexpected Event' before departure, it gives a credit equal to the fare paid (less unrecovered third-party commissions), not a refund; for other reasons, a refund or compensatory discount. Prices/fees are published in AUD; confirm USD amounts at booking.
Onboard extras & packages
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Gratuities (standard rooms)
- Included (no gratuity charge; extra tipping optional, cash to the Purser for all crew)Per cruise line
Sources differ
Coral's pages differ on gratuities. The FAQ list of what the fare includes has 'Tips and gratuities'; the ship pages say tipping is 'completely optional' and, if guests choose to tip, it is paid to the Purser in cash. Either way no gratuity is charged; we show the FAQ.FAQs (What is included) Coral Geographer ship page - Gratuities (suites)
- Included (same as all cabins)Per cruise line
- Drink package
- Included with lunch and dinner: selected wines, beers, ciders and house/selected spirits; welcome and farewell drinks hosted by the Captain. Other drinks charged to the onboard account.Per cruise line
- Premium drink package
- Premium wine selections sold by the six-bottle pack: A Taste of Australia Selection $280, Connoisseur Selection $400 (AUD)Per cruise line
- Soda package
- Included (soft drinks and juices with lunch and dinner)Per cruise line
- Non-alcoholic package
- Included (24-hour barista-style coffee and tea station)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (basic)
- Included (standard-speed Starlink Wi-Fi, suitable for messaging and email; slow in remote areas)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (premium)
- Premium Wi-Fi data packages (up to 50 Mbps): $10 for 2GB, $50 for 10GB, $80 for 20GB (AUD)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining package
- Not offered (all meals included in one casual open-seating dining room)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining (avg per meal)
- Not applicable (no extra-charge dining)Per cruise line
- Fitness classes
- Compact gym on each ship; no fitness classes publishedPer cruise line
- Spa / thermal pass
- Not offered (no spa listed on any ship; amenities are a compact gym)Per cruise line
- Air program
- No general air program. Charter flights are arranged for some international voyages (e.g. Darwin-Sorong for Raja Ampat & Spice Islands, Cairns-Madang/Rabaul for Papua New Guinea): included in the fare on some departures, optional on others ('Cruise Only' possible). Stay & Cruise packages can include flights booked by Coral.Per cruise line
- Other fees & perks
- Included: all excursions with the Expedition Team, Xplorer tender and Zodiac use, lectures, national park, port and traditional owner fees, snorkel gear, post-cruise transfers where specified. Extra: scuba diving (AUD $120-$170 per dive; skills lesson free), optional excursions such as the Mitchell Falls helicopter flight (about $890-$940 pp; pages differ), transfers to regional areas, laundry (at a cost), ship shop, Deposit Protection ($110 pp), date change $500 pp, other amendments $200 pp.Per cruise line
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Disclose any disability needing special attention (including wheelchair use) when booking. Guests with medical or mobility limits should talk to Coral before booking. Surgery within 12 months needs a doctor's fitness letter. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- Moderate mobility needed: board tenders and Zodiacs, walk uneven ground and use stairs unaided (three points of contact). No wheelchair access or accessible cabins; walkers must be stowed. Lift on Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer only. Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- No doctor or nurse on domestic (Australian) voyages; international voyages with over 100 people on board carry a doctor or nurse. All medical, evacuation and air-ambulance costs are the guest's. Remote-area evacuation insurance strongly recommended. Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, service animals, guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Upgrade & suite ladder
entryCoral Deck Staterooms (porthole; Adventurer and Geographer) and Main Deck Staterooms (Coral Discoverer)
Per cruise line17 m² porthole-window cabins with a junior king bed (convertible to twins), desk and en-suite; two per ship are sold for sole use. All cabins on all three ships face outside.
midPromenade Deck Staterooms (picture window) and Explorer / Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms
Per cruise linePromenade Deck: 17 m² with a large picture window. Explorer Deck Balcony: 21.4 m² with a private balcony for two (28 on Coral Adventurer). Coral Discoverer's Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms are 20 m².
topBridge Deck Suites (six on Coral Geographer) and the Cairns and Darwin Suites (two on Coral Adventurer)
Per cruise lineLounge area, complimentary minibar replenished daily, personal coffee machine, private balcony with daybed, outside-facing bathroom with bath. Geographer suites 37.5 m²; Adventurer suites 55.8 m² with super king bed. Coral Discoverer has no suites.
Loyalty program
Xplorers Club (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Lifetime; by nights sailed)Per cruise line
- 1Silver — 6-13 nights
- 2Gold — 14-50 nights
- 3Platinum — 51-100 nights
- 4Lifetime — 101+ nights
Guests may say
“Xplorers Club”, “Xplorers Program”, “Xplorer Club”, “Explorers Club”
None with other cruise lines: Coral Expeditions is part of the NRMA Group (an Australian motoring and travel organisation) with no sister cruise brands. MyNRMA Rewards members get 10% off direct cruise-only bookings, free deposit protection and a bottle of wine; Xplorers Club nights also count on Coral's hosted Noble Caledonia partner voyages.
Military & veterans
We couldn't confirm a military rate on this line's official site. Don't promise one. If a guest asks, check with the line.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
Post-cruise transfers to CBD hotels or the airport are generally included (Darwin, Broome, Cairns, Fremantle, Hobart; Queenstown-Bluff and Wellington on New Zealand voyages). Pre-cruise, guests make their own way to the ship. Transfers to Port Douglas, the Northern Beaches or other regional areas cost extra (arranged with the Purser). Some international voyages include charter flights and airport transfers.
Which ports: Varies by voyage; see each voyage page.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Good to know
Prices and terms are in Australian dollars
Per cruise lineCoral has one global website with no US pages: every fare, fee and package is quoted in AUD, the onboard account settles in AU$ cash or card, and the booking contract is under Queensland law. Reservations works Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 5 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (+61 7 4040 9999).
No wheelchair access or accessible cabins
Per cruise lineThe ships have no wheelchair access or accessible cabins. Guests must manage stairs and tender/Zodiac boarding without help; walkers must be stowed. Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer have a lift; Coral Discoverer does not.
No doctor on domestic voyages
Per cruise lineThere is no doctor or nurse on Australian (domestic) voyages. International voyages carrying over 100 people (including crew) have a doctor or nurse. All medical and evacuation costs are the guest's; insurance with remote-area evacuation cover is strongly advised.
Travel insurance required
Per cruise lineSources differ
Coral's pages differ on travel insurance. The Terms say 'It is a requirement for all guests to have adequate travel insurance coverage for your voyage' and the Pre-Expedition Checklist says 'We require all guests to obtain comprehensive travel insurance'; the FAQ says 'We highly recommend all guests obtain comprehensive travel insurance with remote area evacuation coverage.' We show the Terms.Terms and Conditions Pre-Expedition Checklist FAQsThe Terms make travel insurance a requirement (not included in the fare). Coral recommends remote-area evacuation cover; a guest who cannot get it may sign an authorization accepting all evacuation costs.
Scuba needs a dive-doctor medical
Per cruise lineDiving (offered on selected itineraries) needs a Dive Medical Questionnaire signed by a doctor experienced in dive medicine (GP assessments not accepted), sent to dive@coralexpeditions.com before the cruise. First-timers can do Discover Scuba Diving from age 12, to 12 m. Dives cost AUD $120-$170 each.
Passports: none needed on domestic voyages
Per cruise lineDomestic voyages stay in Australian waters, so no passport is needed. For international voyages a passport copy (6+ months validity) must be emailed 45 days before departure; PNG by sea is visa on arrival at no cost.
Solo travellers: twin-share fare at short notice
Per cruise lineSources differ
The Solo Traveller Standby page's terms say bookings are 'within 60 days of departure', but its FAQ now says 'within 60 - 75 days of departure'. We show the terms; confirm the window with Coral Expeditions.Solo Standby dealsSelected departures have no single supplement, and the Solo Traveller Standby Program sells unsold twin cabins at the per-person twin-share fare to solo guests booking within 60 days of departure (waitlist available; not combinable with Xplorers Club or NRMA savings). Two cabins per category on each ship are sole-use cabins.
Fleet
- Ships
- 3 ships: Coral Discoverer (2005; 72 guests; full refurbishment 2025), Coral Adventurer (2019; 120 guests), Coral Geographer (2021; 120 guests)Per cruise line
- Newest ship
- Coral Geographer (launched March 2021). No new ships announced on the site or in its news posts.Per cruise line
- Ship classes
- Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer: VARD-built 93.4 m sister ships, 120 guests, 2 Xplorer tenders and 6 Zodiacs, passenger lift (2019 and 2021), Coral Discoverer: 72-guest shallow-draught expedition ship (2005, refurbished 2025), 1 Xplorer tender, 3 Zodiacs and a glass-bottom boat, no lift
Where they sail
Learn these regions
Last full review: 28 Oct 2026·Last updated: 28 Oct 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.