Coral Princes Cruises unveils new international itinerary for 2013

Australia and the South Pacific’s pioneer of small-ship expedition cruising Coral Princess Cruises has launched a new 25-night Spice Islands, Raja Ampat and New Guinea circle expedition as part of its 2013 schedule. The itinerary, operated aboard the state-of-the-art flagship Oceanic Discoverer, is featured in the company’s newly released 2012-13 Papua New Guinea and Melanesia brochure.

The inaugural expedition, which departs Darwin on 26 September 2013, explores the remote Tanimbar and Spice Islands of Indonesia before a 5-day exploration of the scenic ‘Four Kings’ of Raja Ampat. The itinerary continues into the Northern Hemisphere and Mapia Atoll before returning to the West Papuan provincial capital of Jayapura, and onwards to Wewak. Exclusive to Coral Princess Cruises, guests will spend two nights cruising 100 kilometres up the mighty Sepik River, before exploring the east coast of PNG including Lababia, Tufi and the Trobriand Islands.  The expedition will conclude in Cairns on 21 October 2013.

Tony Briggs, Founder and Managing Director of Coral Princess Cruises, says that the new program is the most comprehensive expedition ever undertaken in the region, and is the result of feedback from some of the company’s most frequent travellers. “Our guests are always looking for new opportunities to discover the South Pacific’s most exotic and remote destinations” he explained.  “I’m excited that this expedition enables guests to experience one of the world’s emerging regions, in the comfort and unrivalled style they have come to expect from a Coral Princess Cruises expedition.” Briggs, who has recently returned from a fact finding visit to the area, described the itinerary as the company’s “most ambitious yet.” 

Prices for the 25-night Spice Islands, Raja Ampat and New Guinea circle expedition aboard Oceanic Discoverer start at $18,990 per person in a Main Deck (Category B) Stateroom. A limited number of staterooms are also available on a shorter 13-night leg from Darwin to Wewak and a 12-night itinerary from Wewak to Cairns.

The new brochure also includes a series of 10 & 12 night Papua New Guinea expeditions from Cairns and Rabaul, along with two 13-night itineraries through the Melanesian archipelagos of New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and PNG. To celebrate the launch of the brochure, Coral Princess Cruises is offering discounts of up to 25% for past guests, or 15% for first time travellers on their 13-night Melanesian expedition from Rabaul to Noumea, departing on 11 November 2012. Prices start at $8,242.50 per person in a Main Deck (Category B) Stateroom for past guests. For a limited time, single travellers are also being offered the opportunity to join the same expedition without the need to pay a single supplement.

Australian-owned Coral Princess Cruises pioneered small-ship expedition cruising in Australia in 1983 and operates a fleet of three small ships on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Kimberley Coast and Cape York & Arnhem Land. Further afield, there are expeditions to Papua New Guinea, Melanesia and New Zealand.

For further information and reservations contact Coral Princess Cruises on 1800 079 545 or visit www.coralprincess.com.au.