Coral Expeditions has opened an exciting range of new international itineraries for the 2026 and 2027 season, exploring Papua New Guinea, the Spice Islands, Melanesia, the South Pacific and New Zealand. Its fleet of three purpose-built Australian-flagged and crewed expedition ships will explore neighboring territories in an expanded program designed to connect guests deeply with the people and places of these remote realms.
The headline of Coral Expeditions’ program is a significant increase in capacity to discover Papua New Guinea. Four new itineraries venture further into these remote territories than the line has in the past two decades of cruising in the region. The new itineraries offer a blend of the region’s landscapes, its cultures and traditions witnessed in village visits and strong links to modern Australian history through conflict, trade and politics. These new release voyages will depart throughout October to November in 2026.
Papua New Guinea and Melanesia
- The 10-night “Beyond Frontiers of Papua New Guinea” (Rabaul to Port Moresby, October 28, 2026; and October 2, 2027) onboard the 120-guest Coral Adventurer
- The 14-night “Passage Through the Melanesian Arc” (Port Moresby to Port Vila, November 12, 2026; and October 19, 2027) onboard Coral Adventurer
- The 12-night “Papua New Guinea Discoverer” (Madang to Cairns, October 13, 2026) aboard 72-guest Coral Discoverer
- The 12-night “Frontier Lands of Papua New Guinea” (Cairns to Rabaul, October 16, 2026; and September 22, 2027) aboard Coral Adventurer
Following the new Papua New Guinea season, Coral Expeditions returns to New Zealand for annual sailings through December and January, offering cultural journeys along the east coast, as well as immersive explorations of the South Island, into the Sounds and Fiordland, and Stewart Island.
New Zealand
- The eight-night “New Zealand Sounds and Stewart Island” (roundtrip from Bluff, December 16, 2026) aboard Coral Adventurer
- The 10-night “South Island and Fiordlands of New Zealand” (Bluff to Wellington, December 24, 2026) aboard Coral Adventurer
Annual adventures through the Indonesian island chain are also included in the schedule, with a new series of 14- and 18-night itineraries set to explore ancient kingdoms and maritime traditions through the Flores, Ende, Komodo and Sulawesi territories with a focus on aquatic adventure and cultural immersion, as well as additional annual departures into the Raja Ampat, Spice Islands and the West Papua region where guests will swim with whale sharks, explore “gumdrop” islands and be enchanted by warrior welcome rituals in these special communities.
Spice Islands and the Indonesian Archipelagos
- The 18-night “Raja Ampat and Spice Islands” departs from Darwin and Sorong (from September 6, 2026, to September 3, 2027) aboard Coral Geographer and Coral Adventurer
- The 14-night “Island Empires & Ancient Mariners” departs from Darwin and Makassar (November 28, 2026; and December 12, 2026) onboard 120-guest Coral Geographer
“We’re proud that Coral Expeditions’ 2026/27 program firms up the line’s deep and lasting relationships with remote communities, as well as being a pivot to more capacity to explore the enriching and exotic places close to home for Australia,” said Jeff Gillies, chief commercial officer, Coral Expeditions.
For more information, call reservations on +61 7 4040 9999 email [email protected] or visit www.coralexpeditions.com.
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