Coral Princess Cruises unveils new Raja Ampat and Spice Islands itinerary for 2014

Australia and the South Pacific’s pioneer of small-ship expedition cruising Coral Princess Cruises has launched a new 12-night Raja Ampat and Spice Islands expedition as part of its 2014 international schedule. The itinerary, operated aboard their state-of-the-art flagship Oceanic Discoverer, is featured in the company’s newly released 2014-15 South Pacific brochure.

The inaugural expedition, which departs Biak, West Papua, on 14 October 2014, showcases the natural beauty and amazing wildlife of this remarkable, yet rarely-visited, region. Highlights include an exploration of Cenderawasih Bay, home to one of the world’s largest populations of whale shark, and five days cruising amongst the limestone-studded islands of Raja Ampat. Guests will have the opportunity to snorkel and SCUBA dive over Raja Ampat’s pristine coral reef system, considered by many to be the world’s premier snorkelling destination harbouring over 75% of the planet’s fish and coral species. The expedition continues through the fabled Spice Islands and Tanimbar Islands of Indonesia, before concluding in Darwin on 26 October.

Prices for the 12 Night Raja Ampat and Spice Islands voyage aboard Oceanic Discoverer start at $10,990 per person in a Main Deck (Category B) Stateroom. A charter flight is also available from Darwin to Biak at the commencement of the expedition.

Tony Briggs, Founder and Managing Director of Coral Princess Cruises, says that the new expedition “follows in the footsteps of many other pioneering voyages introduced by the company, including the very first expeditions along Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast in 1996”. Briggs added that Coral Princess’s high level of repeat clientele ensures that the company is always seeking out new destinations to satisfy their guests, and that the Raja Ampat and Spice Islands adventure would appeal to “even the most well-travelled adventurer who thinks they have seen and done it all”.

The new South Pacific brochure also includes a series of 10 & 12 night Papua New Guinea expeditions from Cairns and Rabaul, along with a comprehensive 25-night New Guinea Circle voyage from Cairns to Darwin, departing in March 2014. Two 13-night ‘Islands of the South Pacific’ itineraries through the Melanesian archipelagos of New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and PNG will also depart in March and November 2014.

Australian-owned Coral Princess Cruises pioneered small-ship expedition cruising in Australia in 1983 and operates a fleet of three small ships on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Kimberley Coast and Cape York & Arnhem Land. Further afield, there are expeditions to Papua New Guinea, West Papua & Indonesia, the South Pacific and New Zealand.

For further information and reservations contact Coral Princess Cruises on 1800 079 545 or visit www.coralprincess.com.au.