It is now three weeks since I disembarked 29th April from my wonderful Kimberley Cruise aboard the Coral Princess and I would like to take this message to congratulate all at your company and especially the Crew on my cruise, I had the most amazing time and saw all the things that I have dreamed about for several years.

I can’t say enough about the crew from the Captain Craig down as all made everybody feel like one big family. Special mention must be made to Lea who each day worked so very hard at planning all activities and always there to lend a hand with never showing any form of stress no matter what the situation. Terry and Jamie for their knowledge, encouragement and humor along the way. Tavis who for such a young person with great responsibility carried out tasks all day long as well as safely taking us on the Explorer to our many great sites always with a lovely smile on his face.

As for the Coral Princess, I who wanted so much to see all these wonderful places but was very negative about boats, found myself feeling very safe the rooms very spacious and the food first class thanks to Damien and the girls.

Price wise I feel that it was great value for money all round and I will be recommending it to as many people as possible.

Thanks again for such an amazing time!

Lyn, Queensland

Melanesia and Papua New Guinea Cruises, March - April 2010

We’re back home from the most fantastic and wonderful cruise to Melanesia & PNG (March 8 - April 2) and we would like to tell you that we definitely made the right decision in combining the two cruises!

What an exciting world! And, we were spoiled - as always - by Coral Princess Cruises on the Oceanic Discoverer.

Compliments again to the whole team.

Walter, Switzerland

Kimberley Cruise, Oceanic Discoverer, April 2010

I have just been on your first Darwin Broome cruise on Oceanic Discoverer for the season and cannot thank you enough for giving me the best holiday I think I have ever had!!! I am busy recommending you to all my friends.

My cabin was fantastic and I will try and book the same one again for a future cruise. The friendly accommodating staff were superb and the food on board was absolutely excellent in terms of taste and variety.

The expeditions were well organised with great attention to health and safety and made that much more interesting with Ian and Sandy's input. What fabulous lecturers who made the Kimberley come alive.

Being on my own I had a great crowd of fellow passengers and we all got on so well and no-one could fault the experience your crew and company offered.

Thank you again and congratulations for making this such a special experience.

Mrs Knight, Queensland

Melanesia Cruise, November 2009

We have just returned to London after a round the world trip which had as its highlight your Melanesia cruise on the Oceanic Discoverer from 26 November to 10 December 2009.

We want to tell you how much we enjoyed our experience. The trip was everything we had hoped for and more. Your itinerary, planning and execution was excellent. We noticed the care and consideration given to us – and to all passengers - by crew members and expedition staff at all times and always with a smile. We were particularly appreciative of the way in which our special dietary requirements were provided for and we thought the cuisine and service was of the highest standard.

Although everyone on your team performed impeccably we would single out for special mention Jamie as a superb team leader, Damon and Hugh as enthralling lecturers each with an admirable grasp of their subjects, and Beat as an inspirational diving instructor who gave my wife Naomi – a very game retiree and grandmother - the confidence to dive again .

Captain Greg can be proud of his crew and your company delivered a great life experience which we will warmly recommend to our friends.

Best regards
Jeff and Naomi, United Kingdom

Kimberley Cruise, May 2009

Thanks for the CD of pictures from our recent Oceanic Discoverer Kimberley cruise. We can confirm that we had a fantastic time on a lovely ship with a great crew and good food. It’s hard to know where to start and stop, but it’s easy to say that the energetic, enthusiastic and amusing Sam (Expedition Leader) did an outstanding job for all passengers; he is a great leader, always cheerful and helpful, and a nice person.

We enjoyed too the theme of the cruise to follow the voyage of Phillip Parker King. It makes it much more than just a scenic trip when you can tie in some fascinating history. Interestingly we had one of Parker King’s descendants on the cruise and it was wonderful for her.

One thing that made a huge difference was the Xplorer. Everything was so easy and comfortable, especially with the roof protecting us from the sun - A big positive point of difference for Coral Princess Cruises.

We have recommended the trip to several people on the basis of all of the above.

Best Regards
John and Kay, New South Wales

Kimberley Cruise, May 2009

We sailed on the Coral Princess on the Darwin to Broome cruise that left Darwin on 22nd May. The staff on board from the Captain down were excellent in every sense. They could not have been more helpful or friendly, nothing was too much trouble and they made everyone feel welcome. So congratulations to your staff – this is not an easy feat. The cruise provided more than the brochure promised with spectacular scenery and congenial company. The explorer was a fundamental part of making everything attainable in the easiest possible way. Thank you again for a great cruise.

Regards
Trish and Robyn, New South Wales

Kimberley Cruise, May 2009

Thank you very much for your letter enclosing a copy of the CD-ROM from our cruise Darwin to Broome 8th May 2009. We had an absolutely marvellous experience and wish to congratulate you on the wonderful expedition. We have nothing but praise for the entire time we were in the hands of your company. The ship was excellent, the food superb, and the crew were just wonderful. Once again, thank you for a great holiday.

Barbara and Ken, New South Wales

Kimberley Cruise, May 2009

We would like to express how much we enjoyed our cruise with your company. We really appreciated the care and attention to detail of all the crew from the Captain, to every team member. The chef kept us all from fading away even though we were so busy seeing and learning about the magnificent part of Australia that we were exploring. The whole system went like clockwork.

I could start mentioning individuals, but why try..... they all made our holiday one of the best yet! Their cheerfulness and enthusiasms for everything they did for us gave every day a special glow. The knowledge of the guest lecturers was astounding and was a bonus to the whole expedition and we have been home for a week after continuing our journey to visit interstate families and I STILL haven't stopped talking.

Our thanks and congratulations for giving us such a special lifetime experience.

Regards
Godfrey and Wendy, Queensland

Great Barrier Reef, April 2009

This Great Barrier Reef cruise has been the best experience of my life! The highlight was doing SCUBA diving for the first time and what a great place to do it! Also the small number of passengers meant that we all soon knew one another so well, and the staff felt like family – they have all been very attentive to us. THANK YOU!

Joanne, United Kingdom.

Kimberley Cruise, September 2008

I’ve recently returned from a Kimberley cruise with Coral Princess Cruises on the Oceanic Discoverer sailing from Broome to Darwin over 12 days. It is a wonderful experience. The young crew are enthusiastic, fun, helpful and considerate and nothing is too much trouble. The food is terrific and the cabins large and comfortable. The daily tours are exciting and educational. The scenery along the Kimberley coast is spectacular. The owners of this company should be congratulated on their obvious care on how it is run to best benefit the clients.

Regards
Dorothy

Kimberley Cruise, July 2008

We have been reflecting on our great trip earlier this year and, having told all (bragged to!!) our friends of our experiences, wanted to share them with you.

Firstly, congratulations on reaching your 25 year milestone in the cruising business. It would be a fascinating journey for you both and we feel sure that you have made many people happy with your services.

Our Oceanic Discoverer trip could not be faulted. The crew, from the Captain through to the newest deckie were always most helpful, responsible, pleasant, co-operative and thoroughly courteous. The ship is clearly the result of your many years of experience particularly in meeting the needs of your guests and we rate the accommodation as amongst the best we have experienced. The open bridge policy worked a treat and we always felt comfortable and secure. It was a five star hotel experience albeit in bare feet with food and service above and beyond expectations. The cruise program was so well thought out and each excursion made into an adventure and a learning experience by the expedition leader and guest lecturers.

We look forward to the time when we might once again sail with Coral Princess Cruises.

Regards
Bob & Claire, Queensland

Kimberley Cruise, May 2008

My wife and I have just completed a most memorable and enjoyable trip on the Oceanic Discoverer.

We had looked forward to a trip of the Kimberley for more than a decade. As such we had many pre-conceived ideas of what we would see on this cruise.

Nothing had prepared us for this fantastic trip. Apart from the magnificent scenery, we were given a vast amount of information about all aspects of the Kimberley from historical, environmental and cultural aspects in an adventure styled manner.

In the first instance all the crew were friendly and inviting, and nothing was too much trouble. The catering was superb and all meals were first class.

The guest lecturers were brilliant, supplying and extremely interesting comments during the day, and often with after-dinner slide shows and lecturers in the evening.

I have been to many organized events in my time, but I have never seen a more well organized event than this cruise. Jamie Anderson (Expedition Leader) is a credit to your company, he made the trip for us. His ability to ensure that we were able to access all the major viewing points through his knowledge of the tides was exceptional. The manner in which he was able to direct the whole operation and to supply such interesting commentary for each expedition was brilliant. Above all he showed great passion for the environment and culture of the area.

All-in-all an absolutely wonderful trip, and we hope to go again in a few years.

Congratulations.
With thanks
Peter and Ann

Great Barrier Reef Cruise, March 2008

Dear Coral Princess Cruises

We would like to thank you so much for a spectacular three-night cruise through the Barrier Reef from Cairns to Townsville. Booked from the UK, on the basis of very little information and as part of an extensive tour of Australia, we didn't quite know what to expect. But the cruise exceeded our wildest dreams and became the most memorable highlight of our tour.

From the time we boarded the cruise to the moment we reluctantly had to leave it, everything was done to ensure our comfort and satisfaction. The relatively small size of the ship allowed a degree of personal attention which places Coral Princess in a class of its own, while the closely-knit and dedicated crew worked tirelessly to attend to our every need. The quality of food, which always seemed to be in abundant supply, was exceptional, and it seemed quite miraculous how the chef, from such a small galley, managed to consistently produce such sumptuous and varied meals. The cabins were spacious, clean and tidy, with windows cleaned frequently during the day. The morning 'newsletters' and regular announcements kept us up-to-date with events as they were about to happen, and the glass-bottomed boats offered superb views of the reef and its wildlife. Despite rather choppy seas there was plenty of opportunity for snorkelling and diving for those that wanted them.

In fact, everything was perfect.

We would like to congratulate you on such a superbly organised cruise which should stand as the model for other operators to follow.

With best wishes for the continued success of your company
Ray and Pat
Surrey, UK

Great Barrier Reef Cruise, December 2007

We have just returned from our 3 night trip aboard Coral Princess. It was absolutely delightful. We had a most enjoyable trip. We are bursting with good food and feel warmed by the good nature of all the crew.

Thank you for the opportunity of sailing with you.

Sincerely,
Kay and Andy
Queensland, Australia

Great Barrier Reef Cruise, November 2007

We took the 7 day cruise from Cairns to Lizard Island to Cairns and then to Townsville from November 20 - 27, 2007 and we wanted to send a glowing testimonial to Captain Gary and all of his crew who looked after us so well. Without exception, everyone was always cheerful, hardworking, and proactive in doing whatever they could to make our experience most enjoyable.

We found the entire cruise to be both fun and educational. Captain Gary took advantage of the wonderful weather to take us to wonderful reef sites and each snorkelling spot seemed better than the last. Brad, our marine biologist, went out of his way to tell us all about the different kinds of fish, coral, and reefs and we also enjoyed learning about the mangrove systems. Brooke, our purser, anticipated our every desire in a warm and friendly way.

The food was also spectacular throughout the cruise. We are recommending this experience and your cruise line to all our family and friends. Thank you for a fabulous week; it was the highlight of our memorable month in Australia as Captain Gary promised us it would be.

Sincerely
Liz & Mel
Vancouver, Canada

Great Barrier Reef Cruise, October 2007

My husband and I just came back from our cruise to Lizard Island (Cairns-Lizard Island-Cairns) last 30 Oct 2007. We really had a great time and we would like to commend Captain Gary and his crew (Stephen, Ben, Paul, Michelle, Simone, Brendan, Angus, Joanna, Vicki, Lauren, Eva and Damien... I hope I didn't miss anybody out) for a job well done! We took the cruise to celebrate our anniversary and you've made it a real memorable one. Not only was it memorable, it was also extraordinary because we (my husband and I) had our very first SCUBA diving experience on our anniversary day itself, 28 Oct... What a perfect timing! We couldn't have celebrated it any better.

Thank you so much and all the best to the staff and crew of Coral Princess Cruises.

Warm regards
Sam and Noemi
Australia

Great Barrier Reef Cruise, August 2007 

Although I filled out the customer service card enclosed in our cabin, I wanted to get this off to you as soon as I returned before the magic wore off.

My husband, 8 year old son, dear friends and myself spent a mere 5 days aboard your Coral Princess II with Skipper Misha at the helm.

We have been on over 12 cruises in our young lives and we have never experienced such an eclectically rewarding time!  The itinerary and preparation that Glen, Matt and Bob gave us were so tailored to our liking and provided us with the adventure we were looking for.  Beat, our dive instructor, handed my best friends and my husband, (avid divers,) underwater experiences they only dreamed of up until now!  And as for me, a most timid swimmer, Beat gave me the confidence to snorkel and held my hand while I took my first dive!!  I cried with fear as I donned my b.c. however, I cried with amazement and pride when I surfaced...a dream come true!

Brent, our chef, prepared scrumptious and unique meals unlike the ordinary food on cruise ships.  He and Ashley, Vicki, Chez and Simone always had smiles on their faces whether they were getting us a cold drink in the middle of the night or preparing tempting fresh salads during the day, or chatting it up with us after dinner.  I celebrated my birthday while on board, the crew decorated my cabin door and celebrated me all day, including Brent's yummy chocolate layer cake!!!

Dave, our engineer, was so much fun to talk to with his many interesting tales of his life at sea.  Brooke, was our purser....there couldn't have been a more kind, concerned, available and genuine guardian of the passengers on board. 

Together, these jewels of the Coral Princess Cruise staff, made our discovery of The Great Barrier Reef a truly magical and meaningful journey!!

Hoping to sail with Coral Princess again.

Yours Truly
J Hayden - USA

Oceanic Discoverer Kimberley Cruise, July 2007

We were aboard the Oceanic Discoverer travelling from Broome to Darwin from 02 July 2007 until 12 July 2007.

At the outset, we must say that it gives us great pleasure to make the following remarks. We had a feeling from the moment we boarded Oceanic Discoverer that this was going to be a most enjoyable experience given the warmth of the welcome by all the crew members. We were not to be disappointed.

Without exception each was always proactive in their desire to assist guests with nothing ever being too much trouble and with duties always performed with a naturally smiling face. All of us had previously done a substantial amount of cruising but never before had we encountered such a superb and sustained treatment from every member of a crew.

It was interesting to observe a very hands on Captain who was not averse to loading and unloading luggage and performing other duties not usually associated with those of a Captain. This type of leadership obviously has a flow on effect to other crew members.

This was particularly active cruise, with some of the activities not that easy for some of the more elderly guests. Nevertheless, the entire program ran like clockwork with every consideration given to those who were a little slower than others.

The six of us started planning for this cruise more than 15 months ago. We had a very good look at what was available before deciding somewhat sight unseen, to go with your company. We are so pleased we did.

Yours sincerely
Mr and Mrs Lees
Sydney

Coral Princess Kimberley Cruise, July 2007

My wife Merrilee and myself have recently had a most enjoyable voyage on Coral Princess (Darwin 6 July to Broome). The itinerary, vessel and staff/crew were first class.

In particular Captain Gary, Purser Michelle, Tour Director Adam and especially guest lecturers Craig and Greg really made the trip.

It was "standing room" only in the lounge for the briefings and the lectures. The itinerary reflected the expeditionary nature of the voyage. It was great to be able to access so many places in the Explorer which was very ably captained by Rob. At all times we felt quite safe under the careful supervision of the staff.

We very much appreciated the thoughtful champagne awaiting us in our cabin on arrival, acknowledging our previous trip with the Coral Princess.

All the best to yourselves and Coral Princess Cruises.

Kind Regards
Graham and Merrilee

Great Barrier Reef Cruise, March 2007

We would like to thank Captain Gary and his amazing crew for a wonderful Great Barrier Reef experience. Hats off to each of the crew for all their hard work and dedication to making our time so incredibly special. We would like to thank Tiffany for her attention to every detail, Damien for his awesome cooking and coaching, Brendan for his very fine understanding and interpretation of marine life and especially Sam for taking such good care of us underwater and making us feel safe and comfortable. We cannot say enough about your cruise and your crew and wish you every success in the years ahead. You offer a very unique and delightful way of experiencing the Great Barrier Reef. We look forward to coming down under in the future and exploring more of your beautiful and awe inspiring country.

Yours truly,
The Balcom Family - Wolfville, CANADA

Great Barrier Reef Cruise, August 2006

It has been a spectacular 3 days. I assure you we are slightly heavier coming off than we were coming on! We just completed the feedback/ survey and honestly, I hope it portrays how much my family and I have enjoyed the Coral Princess II, it's crew, the meals, the snorkelling, scuba diving. Everything was absolutely perfect, even the weather has been amazing. We especially enjoyed Pelorus Island, it has left us with the feeling we aren't done, we want more!

Thank you so much for this incredible experience.

Regards
Flemming and family (Canada)

Oceanic Discoverer Kimberley Cruise August 2006

My husband and I had such a marvelous time on the Oceanic Discoverer from Broome to Darwin last month, I had to say thank you. The ship is just right for this itinerary...very comfortable and roomy, a good library, excellent deck space,and best of all, that wonderful Xplorer boat. We loved the excursions it made possible. It is a perfect design, and the way it fits snugly against the mother ship when not in use made every launch and return a fascinating spectator experience. The meals were delicious, beds very comfortable, and excursions were organized very efficiently.

The staff was exceptional. Jessica, the purser, is a very warm, welcoming person with a winning smile and gracious manner. And she does everything, serving in the dining room and all manner of other tasks. I've never seen a person work so fast and efficiently, and make the work look like it's fun.

Craig, the excursion leader, is outstanding. His enthusiasm for each excursion was boundless. He is almost wide-eyed with wonder about the nature around him, he knows it well, yet finds beauty in each scene and each bit of wildlife he sees. And he's a marvelous photographer. The pictures he took of birds in flight, small crabs, huge rock formations, and all manner of sights were beautiful. He never seemed to get tired, was always friendly, and was full of interesting information.

And Allan Fox, our lecturer, is in a class by himself. We were fortunate to have had a naturalist of his experience and knowledge with us. He knows so much, and is so willing to share. He brought life to the stories of the aboriginal people, of the origins of the rock formations, upheavals of the earth....it is all the story of continuing life to him, and he helped us to see the living wonder of our surroundings.

Please send our special thanks to each of these three people if you can. They contributed so much to our pleasure in this very special excursion. My husband and I have been to Australia many times, and this was the one part of the country that we had not visited at all. We had thought of doing this for some time, and this year the timing was right for us. And the experience was better than we had ever dreamed it would be.

So, thank you, thank you all for contributing to our most enjoyable trip.

With warm regards
Carolyn (Reston, USA)