Oceanic Discoverer - Coral Princess Cruises

Fast Facts

Vessel: Oceanic Discoverer

Cruise Line: Coral Princess Cruises

Star rating: not rated

Tonnage: 1,838

Max Passenger Capacity: 72

Entered Service: May 2005

Facilities: Three passenger decks; 38 staterooms; no balconies, nor televisions; one restaurant, separate lounge room with comfortable sofas and chairs; two bars; large sundeck and spa pool, internet booth and reference library.

Oceanic Discoverer's 7-night New Caledonia and Vanuatu cruise departs Noumea November 24, December 1 and 8, 2007.

Five-night Bay of Islands cruises depart Auckland or Paihia between Dec 21 2007 and Feb 16 2008.

Oceanic Discoverer

Coral Princess Cruises offers several exciting itineraries in New Caledonia and New Zealand.

Judging by the explosion of operators in expedition-style cruising, the genre is rapidly becoming the cruise du jour. And there's not much that founders of Coral Princess Cruises, Tony and Vicki Briggs don't know about it.

They pioneered soft adventure cruises in North Queensland and the Kimberley with Coral Princess I and Coral Princess II more than 20 years ago, and now their flagship, state-of-the-art Oceanic Discoverer delivers a range of itineraries to exotic, often remote destinations.

Specially commissioned to the Briggs' exacting standards, Oceanic Discoverer is Australian built, owned and flagged. She is the only Australian-registered passenger ship certified to operate on unrestricted international voyages. Her itineraries are alluring and extraordinarily creative, and as one passenger put it "they really do their homework", a quote I happily echo having just experienced two of their new itineraries: a seven-night cruise exploring far-flung islands of New Caledonia's Loyalty Group, and a five-night cruise of New Zealand's lyrically lovely Bay of Islands and surrounds.

As Tony Briggs says: "My dream has long been to share with others the great beauty, diverse cultures, dramatic landscapes and remote cultures of Australia, New Zealand, and to explore pristine islands, reefs and atolls of Melanesia and Papua New Guinea, in the same way as did the early adventurers - from the deck of a ship!"

Oceanic Discoverer was purpose-built in Cairns for expedition cruising. At 63 metres long, with a 13-metre beam and three-metre draught, she can slink up narrow gorges and into quiet coves, or moor off desert islands without disturbing the beauty and tranquility of the location.

At the same time, she is large enough to provide most of the luxuries and comfort of a larger cruise ship, so effectively has the available space been utilised. There are three passenger decks, Bridge, Promenade and Main, plus extensive outside teak deck areas for relaxation and recreation. The overall experience is of a private yacht.

All 38 staterooms impress with their size - significantly larger than many a cruise ship. I was most impressed with the attention to detail, such as press-button retractable wardrobe and drawer handles, (no sharp edges to bump into), a no-key policy (nothing to lose), instead a large magnetic sign with "privacy please", or "make up my room" placed on your door.

All staterooms have broad external views, queen or junior king size beds that can convert to singles; a desk, sofa, telephone, ample storage, good-sized bathrooms (showers only), and individually controlled air-conditioning. No televisions.

Guests share a common dining room, and all meals are served at a single sitting. Continental breakfast is available for early starters, followed by a hot breakfast. Lunch usually comprises two hot dishes, three or four salads, cold cuts, fruits and cheese.

Dinner comprises a choice of two entres, two mains and a lavish desert.

Overall, the standard is consistently good, sometimes inspired. Menus feature fresh regional seafood and produce, and are creatively presented in contemporary-modern style. Wines are mostly Australian or New Zealand.

Oceanic Discoverer's greatest triumph, is Xplorer, an amazing landing craft developed by Briggs. Xplorer is cradled aboard a unique electrically operated hydraulic platform at the stern of the vessel allowing passengers to board from the main deck before being lowered into the water. It's absolutely ideal for passengers with almost any level of fitness. Xplorer then whizzes off at a tidy pace in pursuit of intimate environmental encounters.

Once ashore, a drawbridge device is released so that expeditioners can step ashore usually without getting their feet wet. The exception is some of the coral islands of New Caledonia where wet landings are the norm and appropriate footwear for wading in coral-infested water is recommended.

After the triumphal return of the expeditioners from the day's shore excursions, and a freshen-up before dinner, conversation is highly animated as everyone reminisces over the day's activities, views screenings of the day's images, or, cocktail in hand, watches the sun's orb plummet into the ocean. Some saunter off for a chat with the boys on the bridge to chart our progress.

While there are no formal nights, most guests like to wear something dressier in the evenings. Definitely no jackets and ties. Mostly you'll be wearing bush-walking clobber, shorts and T-shirts, joggers or reef shoes. If you're a snorkeller or diver, all equipment is provided, and there is a fully licensed dive master on the cruises where these activities are possible. The company also thoughtfully provides sunscreen and insect repellant.

In New Caledonia, our first excursion was to the mysteriously lovely Ile des Pins where we skimmed across the Baie de Saint-Joseph in outrigger canoes, then swam and snorkelled in a natural aquarium of tropical fish.

Enchanting Lifou followed, with its picture-book-pretty churches perched on promontories or tucked amid coconut palms and scarlet flame trees.

The volcano on Vanuatu's island performed on cue. Surprisingly no-one baulked at scaling it, even though it was belching and spewing molten lava high into the sky.

Life was more tranquil on the lovely islands of Ouvea and Mare. We moored in private places where no large cruise ship ever can, and were welcomed with song, dance, garlands and smiling children.

The New Zealand cruise experience differed markedly. Sailing from Paihia, we headed for Cape Brett and the famous hole in the rock. Xplorer sped off into the great blue yonder and we were off. A highlight was a marvellous encounter with dolphins at play.

Then followed a succession of visits within magnificent Whangaroa Harbour, the local pub and inspection of some of the fantastic game-fish trophies. The township of Russell provided an intriguing look into New Zealand's early history. The local church has musket holes in its weatherboard exterior from Maori unrest in 1845. Nearby Roberton Island dazzled with its dramatic lookout, the waters surrounding the rugged Mokohinaus were a feeding frenzy of greedy muttonbirds, and Port Fitzroy on Great Barrier Island offered a placid anchorage. Last stop was the amazing endangered bird sanctuary of Tiritiri Matangi and the manicured elegance of Kawau's Mansion House, one-time residence of Governor George Edward Grey.

The most outstanding feature of an Oceanic Discoverer cruise and her Coral sisters is the excellence of their expeditionary programs and the clientele they attract. There's nothing better than sharing these experiences with like-minded guests.

All Coral Princess cruises are enriching, intellectually stimulating and clients feel a sense of privilege at having widened their horizons while learning some of the planet's intimate secrets which will remain embedded in their memory for a lifetime.

Highs: The sheer professionalism of the operation.

Lows: Some may wish for gym equipment and more evening entertainment.

Written by Maggy Oehlbeck - Issue 27 Autumn 2007