Small ship cruise line Coral Expeditions’ next new-build vessel will sail to destinations in the Indian Ocean for the first time in the line’s history.
The 120-passenger Coral Geographer is due for delivery in December 2020 and will sail its maiden voyage the following month.
The 25-night itinerary – Island Traditions to the Edge of Africa – departing on January 6, 2021, calls at Galle, Sri Lanka; Hanifaru Bay and Olhugiri, Maldives; and Aride, Seychelles.
Prices for the inaugural sailing lead in from AU$21,590 (£12,168).
Coral Geographer will be the sister ship to Coral Adventurer (pictured), the line’s first newbuild in 13 years which launched in May.
In May, the line also opened its UK office which is headed by Amy Sharpe, UK sales manager.
Sharpe has encouraged agents who are knowledgeable about expedition cruising to get in touch via email or on the phone.
She said: “Expedition cruising is a difficult switch-sell from a mass market product.
“We want to have a sensible conversation with them and for them to understand us.
“We do not want the agents to be a one-hit wonder. We are going to be here for a long time and we want them to be here for a long time too.”
Trailfinders and Audley Travel are two of Coral Expeditions’ long-standing partners.
On further new builds, Jeff Gillies, the line’s commercial director, said: “The company’s owners are interested in expanding the fleet.”
He added that the company is keen to add to the fleet “every two or three years”.