![]() “We think the market will, over time, start discriminating between true expedition cruising (small groups, strong expedition expertise, purpose-built vessels with long operational autonomy) and general cruise ships that are rebranded as ‘expedition’ opportunistically. This newly built ship represents a new generation of polar expeditions.”Ĭoral Expeditions’ Gillies is similarly confident that his company’s expedition offering will continue to stand out against the competition, especially from lines with larger ships. Van Gessel is not worried about the ever more crowded market that is emerging for polar expedition cruises, explaining: “Oceanwide is a pioneer and specialist in polar expedition cruises and Hondius will give us the opportunity to answer this increasing demand for polar voyages. Van Gessel says: “The yard could offer an answer to our specific demands and guarantee the required quality for the construction of this unique polar vessel.”. Oceanwide chose the Brodosplit shipyard for the construction of Hondius. A speedy zodiac embarkation is enhanced with two separate gangways and in addition, sheltered indoor-platforms for easy embarkation at waterline level.” “A powerful fleet of zodiacs will guarantee quality outings and swift landing operation for all passengers at the same time. “It is our philosophy to keep sea legs short and to focus on fast and effective access to shore and near-shore activities for all nature- and wildlife-minded passengers,” says Van Gessel. The ship was specially designed to support Oceanwide’s exploratory programme and shore excursions. Hondius will be an answer to the increasing demand for polar voyages and will join Oceanwide Expeditions’ fleet of ice-strengthened vessels, Plancius and Ortelius.” “The ship will be equipped with stabilisers, and very suitable for advanced, innovative exploratory quality voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. “Hondius will meet the highest Polar Class notation for ice-strengthened vessels,” says CEO Michael van Gessel. It has been a very professional and efficient relationship with the shipyard and a great collaboration in design that incorporates the shipbuilding experience and quality of the yard along with our three decades of experiencing operating expedition vessels.” Following shakedown cruising in April, Coral Adventurer will set sail from Singapore to Darwin in late April.Īt a time when competition is intense to capture the intrepid cruiser seeking adventures in sub-zero climes, Oceanwide Expeditions is doubling down with the claim that its new ship, Hondius, will be “the strongest ice-strengthened vessel in the Polar regions”. Our final choice was based on reliability and quality, and the ability to supervise given our location in Australia. Regarding the choice of Fincantieri subsidiary Vard’s Vietnam facility for the build, Gillies says: “We evaluated a range of shipbuilding options in Europe and Singapore. An innovative mechanical/hydraulic system lowers the Xplorers (each seating 60 guests and five expedition staff) to the embarkation deck on the rear of the Coral Adventurer for step-free boarding.” We have incorporated two Xplorer tenders into the design of the Coral Adventurer. “Instead, we have fast safari boats slung off the aft of the ship. ![]() The new ship will not use lifeboats to disembark guests and take them ashore, he explains. ![]() “All Coral Expeditions ships are designed and built by us to travel to remote lands and allow our guests rapid and easy exposure to cultures, people and wildlife.” “The build of Coral Adventurer is a pivotal time in the history of Coral Expeditions,” says Jeff Gillies, commercial director at Coral Expeditions. ![]() All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.Īdvanced expedition vessels for the tropical waters of Australia and the Asia Pacific are the speciality of Coral Expeditions, whose ship Coral Adventurer is being built in Vietnam. This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2019 issue of Spring/Summer 2019 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review.
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