Cruising News Magazine Cruising News February 2019 | Page 16

New Flagship Coral Adventurer Launched
Coral Expeditions officially launched
their new vessel, Coral Adventurer, into
the ocean on 8 December 2018. The
float out ceremony, which involved
two days of relocating the vessel from
the yard onto the floating dock, was a
key milestone for Australia’s pioneering
cruise line, Coral Expeditions.
“Excitement was at a real high with
Coral Adventurer now officially in
the water and her delivery drawing
nearer,” says Mark Fifield, Group
General Manager Coral Expeditions.
“To date, the construction project has
involved expertise from across the
world with over 800 workers involved.
We were delighted to be joined by
over 200 shipyard staff who celebrated
this special moment with us, for whom
Coral Adventurer build has been
a labour of love over the past 11
months.”
With her build firmly on track and
on time, the 120-passenger Coral
Expeditions expects no delays
preparing their fourth vessel for her
sold-out maiden voyage in April 2019.
Sea trials have commenced with
handover in late March, followed by
shakedown cruises in April. Her official
launch will be celebrated in Singapore
on 23 April 2019 before she enters
service on her first 18-night departure
‘In the trail of Tasman’. The vessel will
then arrive for the first time in Australian
waters for an official welcome in
Darwin on 13 May 2019.
Ventures by Seabourn Experiences for 2019 Season in Alaska & British Columbia
Seabourn is ensuring that its 2019
season in Alaska & British Columbia
unfolds as an immersive experience
and stands out with an impressive
offering of optional Ventures by
Seabourn guided kayak, Zodiac,
catamaran and hiking tours led by
a highly accomplished, skilled, and
knowledgeable Seabourn expedition
team.
The already-assembled expedition
team includes experienced wilderness
experts, scientists, historians and
Zodiac operators. Ventures by
Seabourn excursions are available
for-charge, in select destinations,
and can be booked in advance by
guests. In addition, the expedition
team will couple with several local
tour operators to enhance hiking
excursions, bringing additional wealth
of local expertise and information on
the region to guests. team will not only join the guests on
Ventures outings, but will add to the
onboard experience of Seabourn
Sojourn with complimentary lectures
on their fields of expertise including
marine biology, geology, ornithology
and history. They’ll further be available
at every turn to point out wildlife, join
guests for dinner, and answer questions
around the ship about the wild and
pristine wonders that draw them – and
our guests – back year after year.”
“As every year, we are excited to
share our experienced and qualified
expedition team for the upcoming
2019 season in Alaska & British
Columbia. The strength of the group
lies in the combination of academic
passion, old-school experience, and
local knowledge that they bring to the
cruise schedule,” said Robin West, vice
president of Expedition Operations for
Seabourn. “This season’s expedition Also part of the Seabourn
Conversations program, the expedition
team members regularly interact with
guests throughout each sailing, sharing
keen insight and in-depth knowledge
about the history, ecology and culture
of the region. Their valuable insights are
offered both in complimentary formal
presentations on a variety of topics
and in more casual conversations over
meals or at leisure.
Relocation Itinerary from Asia to Australia
Dream Cruises has revealed details
of the much-anticipated relocation
itinerary for Explorer Dream. Prior
to her Australian and New Zealand
deployment, Explorer Dream will
make her way from Shanghai to
Sydney. The 21-night relocation
voyage will commence on 6 October
2019, cruising via nine ports – Hong
Kong, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City,
Singapore, Jakarta, Bali, Darwin, Cairns
and Gladstone.
The full 21-night voyage is now
available for bookings. Guests can
also embark in Hong Kong for nineteen
nights or in Singapore for fourteen
nights. Shorter segments are also
available, including five nights cruising
from Hong Kong to Singapore via
Vietnam or seven nights between
Singapore and Darwin via Indonesia.
Guests onboard will be among the first
to experience the newest member
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of the Dream Cruises fleet following a
USD50 million investment by Genting
Cruise Lines to transform the much-
loved Superstar Virgo into Explorer
Dream.
“We are extremely excited about
the impending launch of our newest
Dream ship which will embrace our
pioneering spirit by boldly sailing to
new horizons and destinations,” said
Mr Thatcher Brown, President of Dream
Cruises. “Our investment to enhance
Explorer Dream, the fastest cruise ship
in Asia Pacific, will blend an exotic
mix of Eastern and Western influences
where our guests can lounge in
Italian designed and themed spaces
while enjoying the latest world-class
entertainment and award-winning
cuisine.”