Latest news with #CoralExpeditions
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
New Australian cruise ship, converted from a luxury yacht, ready to sail
This article is part of Traveller's guide to luxury cruising. See all stories. True North and Coral Expeditions ran cruises in the Kimberley before most knew where the Kimberley was, with True North's fishing charter business there going back as far as the 1980s. Their guests had those distinctive blue waters, orange cliffs, astonishing tides and wondrous natural phenomena pretty much to themselves, when it came to commercial operators, for many years. But in recent times, small-ship cruising has taken hold in the Kimberley. Though the conditions in and remoteness of the region along the north-east and north of Western Australia dictate the ships be on the smaller size, the likes of Ponant and Silversea are now deploying relatively larger vessels carrying upwards of 150 passengers into the region. Almost 30 years after Coral Expeditions launched its modified submarine chaser, Coral Princess, in the waters where the Indian Ocean meets the Timor Sea, a famous Kimberley name is seeking to recapture the spirit of truly small-vessel adventure in one of the world's great wildernesses. The pearl company Paspaley, one of the Kimberley's best-known family businesses, has launched Paspaley Pearl, a former motor yacht modified to become a 30-guest luxury cruise vessel. The yacht, previously called Island Escape and operated by New Zealand's collapsed Island Escape Cruises, was initially bought to be a collaboration between Paspaley and Ponant.
The Age
16-07-2025
- The Age
Former luxury yacht, converted to Australian cruise ship, ready to sail
This article is part of Traveller's guide to luxury cruising. See all stories. True North and Coral Expeditions ran cruises in the Kimberley before most knew where the Kimberley was, with True North's fishing charter business there going back as far as the 1980s. Their guests had those distinctive blue waters, orange cliffs, astonishing tides and wondrous natural phenomena pretty much to themselves, when it came to commercial operators, for many years. But in recent times, small-ship cruising has taken hold in the Kimberley. Though the conditions in and remoteness of the region along the north-east and north of Western Australia dictate the ships be on the smaller size, the likes of Ponant and Silversea are now deploying relatively larger vessels carrying upwards of 150 passengers into the region. Almost 30 years after Coral Expeditions launched its modified submarine chaser, Coral Princess, in the waters where the Indian Ocean meets the Timor Sea, a famous Kimberley name is seeking to recapture the spirit of truly small-vessel adventure in one of the world's great wildernesses. The pearl company Paspaley, one of the Kimberley's best-known family businesses, has launched Paspaley Pearl, a former motor yacht modified to become a 30-guest luxury cruise vessel. The yacht, previously called Island Escape and operated by New Zealand's collapsed Island Escape Cruises, was initially bought to be a collaboration between Paspaley and Ponant.
Sydney Morning Herald
16-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Former luxury yacht, converted to Australian cruise ship, ready to sail
This article is part of Traveller's guide to luxury cruising. See all stories. True North and Coral Expeditions ran cruises in the Kimberley before most knew where the Kimberley was, with True North's fishing charter business there going back as far as the 1980s. Their guests had those distinctive blue waters, orange cliffs, astonishing tides and wondrous natural phenomena pretty much to themselves, when it came to commercial operators, for many years. But in recent times, small-ship cruising has taken hold in the Kimberley. Though the conditions in and remoteness of the region along the north-east and north of Western Australia dictate the ships be on the smaller size, the likes of Ponant and Silversea are now deploying relatively larger vessels carrying upwards of 150 passengers into the region. Almost 30 years after Coral Expeditions launched its modified submarine chaser, Coral Princess, in the waters where the Indian Ocean meets the Timor Sea, a famous Kimberley name is seeking to recapture the spirit of truly small-vessel adventure in one of the world's great wildernesses. The pearl company Paspaley, one of the Kimberley's best-known family businesses, has launched Paspaley Pearl, a former motor yacht modified to become a 30-guest luxury cruise vessel. The yacht, previously called Island Escape and operated by New Zealand's collapsed Island Escape Cruises, was initially bought to be a collaboration between Paspaley and Ponant.
Sydney Morning Herald
20-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Port guide: Townsville, Australia
Australia's largest tropical city is overshadowed by Cairns when it comes to tourism, but you'll find plenty of ways to spend an enjoyable day in port. Who goes there Around 30,000 passengers visited Townsville in the 2024-25 season, but the newly widened shipping canal and upgraded terminal is expected to attract larger ships. When Cunard's Queen Elizabeth arrived in January 2025 it became the largest ship (2081 passengers) to visit. Coral Expeditions, Holland America, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Viking are among lines that call in as they either trek across the Pacific to Asia, or pass along Australia's east coast. Sail on in The arrival won't wow you, but is an attractive glide through a shipping channel marked by large buoys into a bay created by a cape on the port side and Magnetic Island to starboard. You'll spot locals on the breakwater admiring your ship. The city is topped by Castle Hill, often a destination on city overview excursions for its terrific outlooks. Berth rites Quayside Terminal sits in the industrial port, squints towards Magnetic Island and takes architectural inspiration from palm fronds. It's an attractive building and extends into a well-organised, undercover meet-and-greet area where tour buses and taxis pull up. You'll find friendly tourism office reps and stalls selling souvenirs. The terminal is two kilometres from the CBD on pedestrian and cycle paths but, given the tropical heat, you'll probably want to take the shuttle. Going ashore
The Age
20-06-2025
- The Age
Port guide: Townsville, Australia
Australia's largest tropical city is overshadowed by Cairns when it comes to tourism, but you'll find plenty of ways to spend an enjoyable day in port. Who goes there Around 30,000 passengers visited Townsville in the 2024-25 season, but the newly widened shipping canal and upgraded terminal is expected to attract larger ships. When Cunard's Queen Elizabeth arrived in January 2025 it became the largest ship (2081 passengers) to visit. Coral Expeditions, Holland America, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Viking are among lines that call in as they either trek across the Pacific to Asia, or pass along Australia's east coast. Sail on in The arrival won't wow you, but is an attractive glide through a shipping channel marked by large buoys into a bay created by a cape on the port side and Magnetic Island to starboard. You'll spot locals on the breakwater admiring your ship. The city is topped by Castle Hill, often a destination on city overview excursions for its terrific outlooks. Berth rites Quayside Terminal sits in the industrial port, squints towards Magnetic Island and takes architectural inspiration from palm fronds. It's an attractive building and extends into a well-organised, undercover meet-and-greet area where tour buses and taxis pull up. You'll find friendly tourism office reps and stalls selling souvenirs. The terminal is two kilometres from the CBD on pedestrian and cycle paths but, given the tropical heat, you'll probably want to take the shuttle. Going ashore
