KIMBERLEY CRUISE VESSELS

Best Kimberley Cruise Ships For Luxury Travellers

"Luxury" is one of those over-used words that can carry all sorts of visions, depending upon what part of the world you are sitting in at the time.

A luxury cruise ship is no different. It could mean silver service and constant pampering. Or it could mean fluffy towels and caviar. Sedate excursions or wild adventures.

And this is where BlueSun Travel comes to the rescue. We are not only the most authoritative Kimberley expedition cruise experts in the world, we have had experience in both operations running a Kimberley vessel, as well as the more fun part marketing and selling them. The long and the short of it, you can't get any better team to talk to.

For the comfortable seeker and cruise ship aficionado these Kimberley cruise vessels sit atop the totem pole of luxury. 

• Le Jacques Cartier
• Le Soleal
• Paspaley Pearl
• Scenic Eclipse II
• Seabourn Pursuit
• Silver Cloud

Best Small Ship Expedition Cruises In The Kimberley

The answer to this question lies in the title: Small Ship.

All these ships focus on the experience, the experts, the immersive cruise, the ability to lick, kiss and touch the Kimberley without needing a silver platter to do so. But this does not mean a loss of comfort either. You won't be sitting in a hamock at night! It just means a more chilled and casual atmosphere.

You can keep the pearls and dinner jackets at home.

You won't need them in the Kimberley!

This category is not a crowded one, but it is a massively popular group, dominated by these "small ships":

• Coral Adventurer
• Coral Discoverer
• Coral Geographer
• Heritage Adventurer

Best Kimberley Charter Boats & Luxury Yachts

The second division of vessel categories are defined by charter boats.

Charter boats were the original pioneers of Kimberley cruise tourism, as far back as the early1990s. In those days, the Kimberley coast was very much unchartered. Skippers barely had maps, let alone GPS and satellite navigation. Local knowledge was everything, especially when you had to contend with 10 metre tidal movements, twice a day. You could literally be up a creek trying to catch a fish and he next moment, the water had disappeared and you were beached on mud!

Today's fleet of charter boats are as mixed and varied to look at, as they are in terms of style and pricing. Thankfully, most have en suite accommodation, though there are still a few stragglers with shared facilities.

Most, if not all charter boats do not have balconies either. Instead, you have large covered al fresco areas on the bow and stern of each vessel. Bedding is also a generous mix of queen beds, twin singles and often the odd solo/single traveller cabin.

Today, we have a wonderful group of charter boats and luxury yachts to choose from.

• Diversity II
• Diversity III
• Eclipse
• Eco Abrolhos
• Great Escape 
• Kimberley Pearl
• Kimberley Quest
• Kimberley Xplorer
• Lady M
• Ocean Dream
• Odyssey
• Paspaley Pearl
• Reef Prince
• True North
• True North II

Best Kimberley Cruises For Helicopter Experiences

Helicoper flights are a premium cruise experience, which is why only a few boats offer them. These include:

• Great Escape 
• Kimberley Quest
• Scenic Eclipse II
• True North
• True North II

Most of these vessels offer helicopter flight packages (20 minute flight time). These are generally booked and paid for onboard. 

Best Kimberley Cruises For Photography

Almost every moment in the Kimberley is a photographic one. From wildlife and sunsets, to aboriginal art, history, fishing, beach barbeques, waterfalls and water holes. As a rule of thumb, the smaller charter boats provide the better more immersive platform. They cruise into narrower waterways, land in more remote areas, explore hidden treasures. Having access to zodiacs or tenders makes a huge difference, that again favours the smaller vessels. When making a cruise enquiry, keep in mind:

• open decks
• passenger numbers
• expedition pacing
• light access
• helicopter doors-off flights

Best Kimberley Cruises For Older Travellers

Kimberley cruises are the perfect match for older travellers, though not every ship will fill tick every box. And this is where BlueSun Travel’s expertise truly matters. We know what ship suits this demographic better than almost every cruise company out there.

By default, Kimberley cruises suit an elderly audience. You won’t find screaming kids and water slides anywhere, on any ship, in the Kimberley. For starters, the season mostly operates during school term times (late March to early October) and the price keeps most families at bay. On top of this, you need a lot time on your hands. Most Kimberley cruises last around 10 nights. At an average cost of $1,000 per person, per night, this tends to dent the family budget…a lot…thus keeping the little ones at bay…out of sight and out of mind.

But with age comes requirements too. And this triangulates towards needing ships that have:

• Ensuite bathrooms
• Elevators
• Balconies
• Stability (gyro-stabilisers)
• Expert lecturers and guides on board
• Less-exhaustive excursions
• Tender loading platforms
• Access cabins for those less mobile
• Solo accommodation and programs
• All-inclusive fares

By virtue of these necessities, the small ships are the way to go. Most will satisfy these criteria, though the quality of amenities, dining and accommodation will vary enormously. This is where your consultant matters. To recap, these will suit will suit elderly cruise passengers:

• Coral Adventurer
• Coral Discoverer
• Coral Geographer
• Heritage Adventurer
• Le Jacques Cartier
• Le Soleal
• Scenic Eclipse II
• Seabourn Pursuit
• Silver Cloud