Virgin Voyages – Resilient Lady
Richard Branson’s award-winning cruise line Virgin Voyages is bringing its exclusively adult experiences, Michelin chef-curated menus and relaxing wellness centres down under for a fresh approach to sailing the West Coast. After returning from her inaugural season, Virgin Voyages’ newest Lady will set off on a 44-night repositioning from Athens to Australia in October 2024, offering sailors the option of 15 brand-new itineraries and nine new ports, including Western Australia’s sun-soaked cities of Broome (Rubibi) and Albany (Kinjarling). Marvel at 120 million year old dinosaur footprints where the outback meets the sea at Broome’s Gantheaume Point and stand above the might of the frothing ocean below at Albany’s The Gap before returning to the comfort of your elevated, boutique sea hotel in unadulterated coastal bliss.
Scenic Expeditions – Scenic Eclipse II
In the wake of the launch of the world’s first Discovery Yacht, Scenic Tours has finished construction on the brand-new and ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse II, built with decadent enhancements for immersive explorations to the remote destinations on Earth, including one of the world’s last true wilderness areas in the Kimberley region. Docking in April next year, guests on Scenic Eclipse II’s inaugural southern hemisphere sailing experience can enjoy new immersive dining experiences, an expansive onboard wellness offering featuring steam rooms, relaxation lounges, and temperature-controlled plunge pools, and a brand-new Sky Bar with indoor and outdoor seating to soak in the stunning views of the Kimberley’s gushing waterfalls and ancient landscapes. Scenic Eclipse II will also deliver two voyages between Busselton and Broome in 2025 on-board a 15-day cruise called Australian Odyssey: Western Australia and the Abrolhos Islands. It leaves from Broome on August 20, 2025, and from on September 3, 2025.
Coral Expeditions – Coral Adventurer
Coral Expeditions is introducing a brand new 10-night itinerary exploring the blooming wildflowers and wildlife-teeming coastline of Australia’s South West during the Spring of 2024. The new Whales and Trails of Western Australia voyage aboard the purpose-designed and recently built Coral Adventurer will follow the migratory trail of the humpback, southern wright, and blue whales along their migratory journey through the Indian and Southern oceans. Guests will have a unique opportunity to witness the whales as they nurse their calves in the serene blue waters of Point Ann, Albany (Winjarling), and Hamelin Bay. Sailing roundtrip from Fremantle (Walyalup), passengers will have the opportunity to learn about Western Australia’s 60,000 year old Aboriginal culture and traditions, witness more than 8,000 species of delicate orchids and wildflowers coming into bloom (80% of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world), and enjoy a signature winemakers dinner event at the historic Leeuwin Estate.
Seabourn – Seabourn Pursuit
Luxury cruise line Seabourn will make its first foray into Western Australia’s iconic Kimberley region between June and August next year with some of the first expedition voyages of Seabourn Pursuit, which finished construction this year. Carrying two custom-built submarines, kayaks, and a 24-person expert expedition team, the Pursuit will offer six 10-day voyages in the Kimberley region between Broome and Darwin in June, July, and August 2024. Guests can expect awe-inspiring wilderness adventures to the dramatic sandstone karsts of the World-Heritage listed Bungle Bungle Range, exploration of the highest waterfalls in Western Australia at the thundering King George Falls, and a once-in-a-lifetime viewing of the surging Horizontal Falls from Talbot Bay, lauded by Sir David Attenborough as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”.
Silversea Cruises – Silver Cloud
The Kimberley is set to welcome a new Silversea Cruise ship this year, with Silver Cloud moving up from the icy Antarctic waters to the sunny shores of Western Australia. Offering a series of ten-night voyages between Darwin and Broome (Rubibi), the ship’s program will also include visits to the Abrolhos Islands, Cape Peron, and more. As the western gateway to the Kimberley wilderness, stay on in Broome for a few days to traverse turquoise waters and red ochre rock, take a camel ride against a tangerine sunset on Broome’s snow-white Cable Beach (Walmanyjun), and uncover ancient dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point along the way. Silver Cloud promises a more intimate experience and will not carry more than 200 passengers for the 2024 Kimberley season and beyond, boasting a fleet of 26 Zodiacs and 28 expedition staff for shore excursions to hike the secluded islands of the Buchaneer Archipelago and soar over the thundering four-tiered Mitchell Falls by helicopter.
Eco Abrolhos Cruises – Eco Abrolhos
Cruise the magical waters of the Abrolhos Islands in WA’s Coral Coast onboard a new five-day Astro Tourism Cruise with Eco Abrolhos Cruises. Search for far-off galaxies, nebulas filled with gaseous clouds, super giant red stars and giant star clusters under the night sky onboard the vessel with Star Tracks Astro Events. With 17 fully air-conditioned cabins all with ensuites, guests will also enjoy complimentary meals and a range of tours including snorkelling, cray pot pulling, fishing, marine and wildlife spotting; and discover the history of the Batavia shipwreck. The new five-day tour departs October 17 to 22 this year, with guests departing on boat and flying back to Geraldton (Jambinu) from East Wallabi Island.
