Fast Facts
Launched: 2005.
Tonnes: 1,779.
Cruising speed: 14 knots.
Number of passengers: 72 at double occupancy.
Crew: 20.
Staterooms: 32 across three decks.
Where she cruises: The Kimberley’s, Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Top of Australia.
Overview
Oceanic Discoverer is Coral Princess’s newest and arguably most modern ship. Boasting a shallow draft of just 63m, she can access some remote and off-the-beaten-track destinations for which the adventure line is famous, yet provides many of the facilities often only found on much bigger ships.
Who Should Go?
Couples, families with older children.
Things You Might Not Know
The ship was built at NQEA in Cairns, and is the only Australian passenger ship registered with full SOLAS compliance, allowing opportunities to explore a multitude of international voyages.
Staterooms
Oceanic Discoverer has five basic grades of stateroom, Bridge Deck, Promenade A and B, and Main A and B.
Bridge staterooms are on the highest level, and are 17-18 sqm in size, Promenade A are 16-17.5 sqm, Promenade B are 14-16 sqm, Main A are 18 sqm and Main B are 17.5-18.5 sqm. All can be configured as junior kings or twins, except for Promenade B which is junior king only.
All staterooms have ocean views, and facilities across all categories include en-suite bathrooms, a couch, storage space, a desk, luggage storage, and air conditioning. The decor is simple yet contemporary modern with light walls, carpet and uses earth tones with artwork adding a splash of colour.
Facilities and Entertainment
This is a ship purpose built for adventure cruising so entertainment tends to be low key and with a focus on educational lectures, and enlightening shore excursions. That said, Oceanic Discoverer has plenty to keep guest occupied while not exploring. It has a large sun deck perfect for taking in the scenery, a spa pool, a comprehensive reference library, two cocktail bars for meeting and swapping stories, and a boutique and dive shop.
An expedition ship at heart, though, she also carries two zodiac boats and a unique vessel called Xplorer, which can accommodate all guests at any one time and is used for landings and extensive exploration of rivers and waterways. There are also experts on board to advise and deliver lectures on various topics including the history of the region in which the ship is cruising. For anyone who can’t bear to be too cut off from the outside world, there is a guest computer with internet access.
Dining
Although an expedition ship, Coral Princess has ensured that on board cuisine is of the highest standard, varied and won’t disappoint. Breakfast and lunch are buffet affairs served in the Dining room, while dinner is a la carte from around 7.30pm each night although mealtimes do vary day-by-day according to the day’s activities. The style is largely international.
The Low Down
As expedition ships go, Oceanic Discoverer is modern ship allowing for a comfortable exploration of some remote and intriguing destinations. Spacious yet boutique in size, she will appeal to people with a love of adventure, but who want to travel in style.
More information
Visit www.coralpriness.com.au.
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