MV Coral Discoverer

MV Coral Discoverer cruise ship is an unique (mega tacht-like) expedition vessel operating on Oceania and Australia roundtrip itineraries leaving from Cairns (Queensland, Australia). Coral Discoverer cruise itineraries include the Australia's "Top End", Kimberley, also New Zealand, Melanesia (Oceania), Papua New Guinea, Indonesia.

Previously known as "Oceanic Discoverer" (until June 2015,), this 72-passenger ship is fully registered under SOLAS Convention (international maritime treaty for safety at sea). Launched in 2005, the vessel was the first Australian owned, flagged and staffed cruise passenger ship to attain certificate for full SOLAS compliance.

Coral Expeditions itineraries feature sailing around deserted islands and pristine reefs beyond the reach of day trippers and larger ships. The company's Great Barrier Reef (Coral Sea) cruise itineraries depart from the Queensland ports Darwin to Cairns, each offering a snapshot of the diverse ecosystem of the marine park.

The travel company Coral Expeditions (formerly Coral Princess Cruises) was established in 1984 by Captain Tony Briggs. His first ship was an ex-World War II Fairmile-class submarine chaser. The vessel was converted to carry up to 24 passengers on short overnight trips to the Great Barrier Reef from company's base in Cairns. All Coral Expeditions ships are Australia-flagged, Australia-based, and employ all-Australian crew. Coral Expeditions' regions of operation include New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Kimberley and Northern Australia, Tasmania and South Pacific Islands. The 3-ship fleet comprises Coral Discoverer, and the pair of motor catamarans (sister-ships by design) Coral Expeditions 1 (fka "Coral Princess I") and Coral Expeditions 2 (fka "Coral Princess II").

Cabins

The Coral Discoverer ship has 4 passenger decks with a total of 36 staterooms. All passenger staterooms were also refurbished and received substantial upgrade. Six Bridge Deck balcony cabins were added. Each of the other cabins also received a complete renovation, including soft furnishings, new artworks, updated bathroom fixtures.

Coral Discoverer offers 5 different cabin grades. Passengers accommodations range from Main Deck to Bridge Deck (each with french windows that open on a step-out private veranda). All staterooms are modernly furnished and feature individually controlled air-conditioning, original artworks, en-suite bathroom, iPod docking station, Australian brand toiletries, ample storage space, two twin beds (or a junior king bed). Cabin sizes vary between 15 m2 (161 ft2) and 20 m2 (215 ft2). Lower deck rooms are with porthole windows.

Shipboard facilities

Onboard facilities include open-seating dining room, al fresco dining deck, 2 cocktail bars, sun deck, lecture lounge, panoramic lounge. The vessel has its own tender boats, glass bottom tour boat, inflatable zodiacs (used for landings), sea kayaks and the "Xplorer" (shore excursion tender).

Following the full refurbishment in 2016, the ship's Sun Deck was transformed into a social gathering space and onboard community hub. It was converted into undercover deck area with round-shaped "Explorer Bar" and open-air sun deck with loungers and an outdoor exercise area with fitness equipment.

In 2018, Coral Expeditions had scheduled a 7-night “Coastal Treks of Tasmania” themed cruise itinerary (departure January 15) along Tasmania Island’s coastline. During the voyage, special guests of the ship were Alison and Angus Moore, Their onboard lectures were themed on Tasmania's flora and fauna.

Also in 2018, a 16-night itinerary was themed on World War 2 (1939-1945). Departing December 3 (2018) from Cairns (Queensland Australia), the South Pacific Islands cruise visited New Caledonia, Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal), PNG, Vanuatu (Tanna Island). The onboard program was led by a skilled expedition team, with guest lecturer Peter Martin (maritime historian and mariner).