Coral Expeditions set for October restart

Coral Expeditions set for October restart

Australian small-ship expedition cruise line Coral Expeditions has confirmed a restart of operations for 14 October 2020 with a series of new seven-night sailings on board the yacht-like Coral Discoverer.

Operating out of Cairns with planned departures through mid-December this year, these highly-experiential, nature-based expeditions will take small groups of guests to explore the pristine outer reefs and lesser-known islands of the Great Barrier Reef, showcasing the extraordinary marine life and the rich natural and cultural history of far North Queensland.

Coral Expeditions will be delivering its SailSAFE plan developed by Australian medical specialists for the current environment, giving guests and crew confidence and peace of mind to travel.

The SailSAFE plan has been approved by all Australian state and territory governments, and is based on the most rigorous safety principles which effectively create a safe travel ‘bubble’ for guests and crew through pre-screening steps, onboard mitigation process and authorised response control.

Jeff Gillies, commercial director at Coral Expeditions, said: “We are pleased at the strong guest response we have received over the past weeks following the release of our new sailings.

“At this time of global health challenges and uncertainties, there is no better sanctuary than our own Great Barrier Reef. We have led expeditions on the reef for 35 years and this extraordinary place remains at the heart of our DNA.

“We are confident and excited to be able to restart after the challenges of the last six months, and encourage those Australians who are able to explore their home shores to join us on board.”

To celebrate the restart, Coral Expeditions is offering special deals for travellers on this itinerary.

These include a flexible booking policy (book now with no deposit for 30 days), complimentary deposit protection, one night’s accommodation pre-cruise (includes breakfast), a $500 travel credit per person, no fare supplement for sole travellers, and half-price bookings for children aged four to 14 years.

As Coral Expeditions is an Australian-flagged tourism operator, Gillies said the company is not affected by Border Force closures.

“We are planning a staged restart across the next six months, which will be in collaboration with authorities from Australian states and territories,” he said.

“Following on from the Great Barrier Reef, we have made advanced preparations for our domestic summer season in Tasmania and developing new local expeditions for the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and South Australia regions in early 2021.

“We hope that many Australians will be able to join us on board as restrictions lift and it is safe to travel.”


Featured image source: Coral Expeditions/Ian Morris

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