Coral Geographer

The 2021-built MS Coral Geographer cruise ship is the fifth vessel in the fleet and the newest addition to the Australian company Coral Expeditions. In May 2019, the cruise line exercised its option to build a second vessel (Geographer), a sistership to the Coral Adventurer (launched in 2019).

The vessel (IMO number 9883986) is currently Australia-flagged and registered under MMSI 503000164.

History - construction and ownership

Coral Expeditions (formerly Coral Princess Cruises/fleet) was established in 1984 by Captain Tony Briggs. His first vessel was a converted World War II Fairmile-class submarine chaser, repurposed to carry 24 passengers on short overnight trips to the Great Barrier Reef from the company’s base in Cairns, Queensland.

On December 15, 2014, Tony Briggs, Founder and Managing Director of Coral Princess Cruises Pty Ltd, announced that Singapore-based Kallang Capital Holdings (part of PrimePartners Group Pte Ltd) had acquired a majority stake in the company.

All Coral Expeditions ships are Australia-flagged, Australia-based, and crewed entirely by Australians. The company’s operating regions include New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Kimberley and Northern Australia, Tasmania, and the South Pacific Islands. The fleet also includes the Coral Discoverer and two motorized catamarans—Coral Expeditions 1 (formerly "Coral Princess I") and Coral Expeditions 2 (formerly "Coral Princess II").

The Coral Geographer was purpose-built for ocean cruising to remote and shallow tropical destinations. She meets the highest maritime standards for redundancy, build quality, environmental compliance, and safety.

One of her standout features is a tendering system that allows efficient passenger embarkation and disembarkation within 20 minutes. Using hydraulic lifts, the ship’s two 65-passenger aluminum tenders ("Xplorer" boats) are raised out of the water, eliminating the need for gangways, ramps, or stairs during boarding operations.

The ship is also equipped with scientific research facilities and active stabilizers to reduce rolling in varying sea conditions.

Decks and Cabins

Coral Geographer staterooms (60 total) are all outside, with over 50% featuring private step-out balconies. Each stateroom includes an en-suite bathroom (toilet, shower, mirrored single-sink vanity) and ample storage. Sizes range from 17 m² (183 ft², Promenade Deck 4 with large windows) to 38 m² (405 ft², Bridge Deck Balcony Suites). Balcony cabins measure 22 m² (230 ft²). Promenade and Coral Deck staterooms (with portholes) are both 17 m².

The ship has 7 decks, of which 5 are passenger-accessible and 4 contain accommodations.

Suites feature outside-facing bathrooms with Horizon tubs (infinity bathtubs with floor-to-ceiling windows and sky views). Balcony Suites also have a separate lounge (L-shaped sofa, armchair with footstool), a sleeping area (2x King-size beds), a coffee machine, and a complimentary minibar (replenished daily). Each suite has an 8 m² (85 ft²) private step-out balcony.

All standard balconies measure 4 m² (40 ft²) and are furnished with two armchairs and one coffee table. Bridge Deck Suite balconies additionally offer a daybed and a two-seater lounge chair. Cabin amenities include a King-size bed (convertible to twin), bedside cabinets with reading lamps, wardrobe, mirrored vanity (writing desk with armchair), electronic safe (in the closet), and handmade artwork. Cabins do not have HDTVs.

The ship has 6 Bridge Deck Balcony Suites, 26 Explorer Deck Balcony cabins, 16 Promenade Deck staterooms (with windows), and 12 Coral Deck staterooms (with porthole windows). The Captain’s cabin and Expedition Team’s cabin are located forward-starboard on Deck 5. Crew quarters accommodate up to 48 personnel.

The vessel features 7 decks (5 passenger-accessible and 4 with staterooms).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The full-capacity (single-seating) dining room features a communal "wine table" topped with Australian stone. The restaurant offers buffet-style breakfast and lunch, along with multi-course table d’hôte dinners. Meals are prepared using Australian and locally sourced (itinerary-based) ingredients. Dietary requirements are accommodated with two weeks’ notice. The wine list highlights Australian varieties, while the bar also stocks spirits from Australia and New Zealand, including casks of aging Tasmanian single-malt whiskey.

The Galley (kitchen) is adjacent to the restaurant and has a small viewing window.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MS Coral Geographer features Queensland-themed interiors and more than 1000 m² of open-deck space, including a wraparound Promenade Deck. Two trademarked "Xplorer" tenders (seating 60 passengers each) are located aft and used for seamless ship-to-shore transfers. Additionally, six Zodiacs (large-capacity motorized inflatable boats) support shore landings and close coastal excursions.

The ship includes a reference library and a multimedia-equipped lecture lounge for port talks, briefings, and presentations by Coral Expeditions experts. A traditional “open bridge” policy allows guests to visit the Wheelhouse (Deck 6) and interact with officers. The Observation Lounge (Navigator Lounge) is part of the Navigation Bridge. Indoor and outdoor bars serve a variety of wines, beers, and other beverages. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship.

Located midship on the Vista Deck (top deck) is the spacious Xplorer Bar—an outdoor lounge with a large canopy-covered area offering the ship’s best panoramic views.

The Coral Geographer has 5 passenger-accessible decks (out of 7 total) and over 1000 m² (~10,800 ft²) of open-deck space, including the Promenade Deck (Deck 4). Complimentary tours of the Engine Room are also available. The ship features a small gym (Deck 5 midship) with panoramic windows and modern fitness equipment. A single midship elevator (portside) connects all decks.

Itineraries

MS Coral Geographer's itinerary program includes Asia-Pacific cruises to the Kimberley region, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and the South Pacific Islands.

Coral Expeditions specializes in cruises to remote islands and pristine reefs not accessible to large cruise ships or day-trippers. Great Barrier Reef itineraries depart from Darwin and Cairns, Queensland.

During her maiden season, Coral Geographer introduced the company’s new “Small Islands of the Indian Ocean” itinerary series. The program was to begin with a 25-day Inaugural Cruise (January 6, 2021) from Singapore to Victoria, Mahe Island (Seychelles), visiting ports in Sumatra, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Voyage 2 (15 days, Seychelles to Mauritius) included calls at Madagascar, Reunion, and Aldabra. Voyage 3 (25–30 days) sailed from Mauritius to Fremantle-Perth and was science-themed.

Due to COVID-related delays, Coral Geographer was delivered in March 2021. The 19-day Inaugural Cruise (themed “Across the Top of Australia”) departed March 31 and was sold out by January 2021. The itinerary included visits to uninhabited Australian territories such as Ashmore and Cartier Islands (Ashmore Reef), Scott and Seringapatam Reefs (Timor Sea), and the Kimberley's Adele and Lacepede Islands.

The 2024 program introduced new itineraries through the East Indies and Indonesia, visiting Komodo Island, Sulawesi, and Borneo.

• 14-night “In the Wake of the Makassans” (Darwin to Makassar, March 20, 2024) – visiting Tablolong Bay/Kupang, Alor Island, Ende/Kelimutu, Padar Island, Komodo Island, Tinabo Island, Sogori Island, Tana Beru.
• 20-night “Sulawesi Circumnavigation” (roundtrip from Makassar, April 3, 2024) – visiting Balabalagan Islands, Balikpapan/Samboja Lestari Rainforest, Samarinda/Pampang, Toli Toli, Saronde Islands, Bunaken Marine Park, Gorontalo, Togean Islands, Banggai Island, Labengki Island, Wakatobi National Park, Buton Island/Bau Bau, Tana Beru.
• 14-night “Into the Wilds of Borneo” (Makassar to Singapore, April 23, 2024) – visiting Sabaru Island, Banjarmasin, Camp Leakey/Sekonyer River, Karimata Islands, Pontianak, Kuching/Bako National Park, Anambas Islands.
• Prices started at USD 13,070 per person.

All voyages included the option for a charter flight from Darwin.