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Indian Ocean Crossing (Coral Geographer)

Indian Ocean Crossing (Coral Geographer)

From AUD $9,980

Description

In times past, an Indian Ocean crossing was a sailor’s rite of passage, a truly daunting task on a wooden sailing vessel. Create your own legends on the new state of the art expedition ship Coral Geographer as she sails east in a southern arc from the ancient spice island of Zanzibar off the African coast and arrives on Australian shores for the first time at Fremantle. This is a classic 19-night ocean passage allowing you to settle into the rhythm of the sea and ship.

Featuring six suites with panoramic glass-enclosed baths, all outside staterooms and expansive deck areas shared with only 120 like-minded guests, you will enjoy tranquil comfort. Onboard is a highly qualified expedition crew supported by warm Australian hospitality.

This epic Indian Ocean crossing offers a rare opportunity to navigate one of the world’s great oceans in the wake of famed explorers like Dirk Hartog and Willem de Vlamingh. An extensive onboard program is offered, including Celestial Navigation lessons from Coral Expeditions’ Senior Master Capt. Gary Wilson, and an accompanying souvenir chart. Guest presenters and storytellers will be the only diversions as you share the waves with migratory seabirds and marine life.

If you are curious about the world and relish the adventure of an extended ocean crossing, join us onboard Coral Geographer for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Trip Name
Indian Ocean Crossing (Coral Geographer)
Days
20
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Passenger Capacity: 120 Built: 2020 Expedition capabilities > Two trademark Xplorer tenders seat all passengers and facilitate comfortable shore excursions > Six zodiacs for more intrepid exploration > Lecture lounge for daily expedition briefings and expert presentations > Small onboard library featuring books on destinations and wildlife > Shallow draft and advanced navigation and propulsion systems allowing access to locations closed to large cruise ships Marine immersion > Navigator lounge in the bridge > Over 1000 square metres of open deck space including a wrap-around promenade deck with panoramic views > Engine room tours and a high level of crew interaction with guests Food and wine features > Single seating dining with communal table serves buffet breakfast and lunch, and multi-course table d’hote dinners > Showcase galley with viewing window creating fresh small-batch cuisine featuring Australian and local produce > Multiple indoor and outdoor bars, including our Explorer bar on the sundeck for sunset drinks > Curated wine cellar featuring boutique wines and exceptional vintage Australian reds Guest comfort > All outside-facing guest cabins with en-suite bathrooms; the majority have a private balcony > Active stabilisers to dampen sea motion > Well-equipped gym > Passenger elevator > Wi-Fi available in all guest areas

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: DEPART ZANZIBAR (TANZANIA)
In the early evening we depart Zanzibar on our epic Indian Ocean crossing bound for Fremantle, West Australia.
Day 2 - DAYS 2 – 19: AT SEA
Spend 18 carefree days at leisure as we cross the Indian Ocean from west to east. As dusk falls each day, join your fellow travellers, the Captain and crew for evening drinks and enjoy the freshly prepared cuisine and warm company of our renowned Australian hospitality team. Take time to socialise with fellow passengers, catch up on bookreading or simply relax as the Indian Ocean slips by. You will share the waves with migratory seabirds and marine life along the way. Guest presenters, storytellers and an extensive onboard program with hands-on practical lessons will be on offer throughout the voyage, including an instructed program teaching traditional Celestial Navigation.In this age of GPS, autopilots and gyrocompasses, there is still a place for traditional navigation skills. Guests aboard Coral Geographer for her crossing of the Indian Ocean will be part of a unique experience – using only the instruments that were available to the navigators in Age of Exploration, they will learn the skills necessary to navigate across an ocean. Each guest will receive the following• Basic training sextant• Set of plotting instruments• Blank plotting charts• Indian Ocean chart• LogbookOver the first days of the voyage, guests will receive an introduction on the basic theory of navigation and instruction chart plotting, reading a compass and log, and taking astronomical sights. Using pro-forma tables and with the assistance of the professional navigators aboard, complex mathematical calculations are minimised, so that all participants can fully take part. Additional instruction will be available for anyone that desires a more indepthcourse or already has some navigational experience. Guests are encouraged to bring their own instruments if they wish. The programme is intended to be run without any access to modern instruments. Participants will regularly read the magnetic compass and the traditional towed log that will be streamed over the stern and record these readings in the logbook. Using these figures, a dead-reckoning position will be plotted on the plotting ship and corrected when possible by sun observations using the sextant and chronometer. A daily noon position will then betransferred to the Indian Ocean chart to track our progress. We will encourage no access to the modern bridge instruments (such as GPS, plotters or gyrocompasses) – and seek to compare our traditional results upon our arrival in Fremantle. The programme has been developed by Coral Expeditions Senior Master Gary Wilson, who has extensive experience instructing in traditional navigation methods. At the end of the voyage, you will have a unique record of your ocean crossing, recorded on the chart and in the logbook, and a set of instruments to take home.
Day 3 - DAY 20: ARRIVE FREMANTLE (AUSTRALIA)
We disembark at Fremantle at 9:00am.This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel.
Day 4 - Please Note:
This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition, we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel.This trip is suitable for passengers of all fitness levels, though reasonable mobility is required to enjoy all it has to offer. For shore excursions, our hydraulic lowering Xplorer tenders permit easy boarding without climbing any stairs. Where possible we split groups to suit easy and moderate walkers. Guests are welcome to opt-out of any excursion and relax onboard. As the itinerary covers remote regions, it is not suitable for passengers with serious medical conditions.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
23-12-2024AUD $0-
06-03-202125-03-2021AUD $9,980Coral Deck
06-03-202125-03-2021AUD $11,320Promenade Deck Stateroom
06-03-202125-03-2021AUD $13,330Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom
06-03-202125-03-2021AUD $14,970Coral Deck
06-03-202125-03-2021AUD $16,980Promenade Deck Stateroom Solo
06-03-202125-03-2021AUD $18,690Bridge Deck Balcony Suite
06-03-202125-03-2021AUD $19,995Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom Solo
23-12-2024AUD $0-

Inclusions

    • Depart from Zanzibar with its rich spice route trading heritage
    • Learn the craft of Celestial Navigation, plotting your route across the Indian Ocean in real time with hands on lessons
    • Enjoy true freedom and space on an epic passage across one of the world’s great oceans
    • Spot marine life throughout your voyage, and star-gaze far away from light pollution
    • Be aboard for welcome celebrations as our new ship arrives home to Australian waters in Fremantle

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