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Our reservation staff are available Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 5.30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Expedition Team Guest Lecturers Ship Crew
Throughout your cruise, you will delight in the attentive service of our professional Australian and New Zealand crew. Carefully selected for their engaging personalities, attention to detail and commitment to delivering the highest standards of service, our staff will ensure you receive a warm welcome aboard.
On each voyage, our Expedition Leaders bring guests the depth of experience required to put together daily programmes given prevailing weather and local conditions. They are complemented by an expert Guest Lecturer, with knowledge of disciplines ranging from anthropology, geology, history and flora and fauna of the region, offering layers of insight relevant to your itinerary and to support the depth of immersion in your travel experience.
Our Kimberley and Cape York, Arnhem Land and Torres Strait expeditions have a renowned Australian team of our own Expedition Leaders and regular Guest Lecturers who have a specialist understanding of the unique landscapes, flora and fauna and indigenous cultures of the region. Having guided expeditions in the region for over three decades we know the nooks and crannies others don’t. Our Tasmanian cruises feature a State Parks and Wildlife Ranger on-board, complimenting our Expedition Team in providing local expertise especially on guided nature walks and with bird and wildlife spotting.
Your cruise will be led by a dedicated Expedition Leader who will work closely with the Captain to determine our daily programme, ensuring that the best use is made of prevailing weather and tidal conditions. Your Expedition Leader will join all shore excursions and activities, provide daily recaps and briefings, and is always on hand to answer any questions. The expedition team uses our ships’ shallow draft, quick disembarkation capabilities, our special tender equipment such as the Xplorer vessel and Zodiacs, and our open deck spaces onboard to take you up close to the places we visit.
Marysia decided to pursue her love for the ocean by studying Marine Biology at James Cook University in Townsville. She was involved in various research projects with CSIRO and AIMS designed to understand how climate change will affect corals.
Jamie has been working with the company for 14 years now, he is very well known with majority of our guests that have travelled with us in the Kimberley and across the top of Australia on our Cape York and Arnhem Land expedition and as our qualified Marine Biologist on the Great Barrier Reef
David has spent the past 9 years working in some of Australia’s most renowned wilderness areas including 2 previous seasons with Coral Expeditions in Tasmania. He is passionate about the environment and conservation, and loves sharing his knowledge with our guests.
A naturalist with qualifications in zoology and teaching, Mark has the perfect background for his role as Expedition Leader, bringing excursions on water and land to life for our guests.
Daniela is an expedition guide for guests who come aboard the expedition ships of the Coral Expeditions fleet. She organise the itinerary including exciting activities such as snorkelling, hiking and kayaking.
Marysia decided to pursue her love for the ocean by studying Marine Biology at James Cook University in Townsville. She was involved in various research projects with CSIRO and AIMS designed to understand how climate change will affect corals.
Jamie has been working with the company for 14 years now, he is very well known with majority of our guests that have travelled with us in the Kimberley and across the top of Australia on our Cape York and Arnhem Land expedition and as our qualified Marine Biologist on the Great Barrier Reef
David has spent the past 9 years working in some of Australia’s most renowned wilderness areas including 2 previous seasons with Coral Expeditions in Tasmania. He is passionate about the environment and conservation, and loves sharing his knowledge with our guests.
A naturalist with qualifications in zoology and teaching, Mark has the perfect background for his role as Expedition Leader, bringing excursions on water and land to life for our guests.
Daniela is an expedition guide for guests who come aboard the expedition ships of the Coral Expeditions fleet. She organise the itinerary including exciting activities such as snorkelling, hiking and kayaking.
Coral Expeditions was one of the first cruise operators to employ interpretive guides on our cruises. This tradition continues today. Each trip includes a mix of our full-time guest lecturers who join the expedition team and special guest lecturers who are chosen for specific local knowledge.
Sandy is a Guest Lecturer (GL) with Coral Expeditions (CE). He began on the Kimberley cruises in 1998 and has averaged three Darwin-Broome return cruises each year since. He has also been a GL on Cairns to Darwin cruises, ‘Cape York and Arnhem Land’, on about ten occasions.
Ian Morris OAM — zoologist, educator, conservationist, and author—has worked with the Aboriginal traditional owners of Arnhem Land region since his early life as a secondary science teacher, after working on a number of projects across Australia with the UNSW School of Zoology.
Marine biologist Mike Sugden owned his first boat at the age of 14 paid for by paper rounds before school. In the 80’s Mike was a scuba instructor trainer and examiner. His lectures reveal his extensive research, experience and passion for the underwater world.
Dame Carol Kidu, (a teacher by profession) retired from Papua New Guinea Parliament in 2012 after 15 years in politics. She was the Minister for Community Development for 9 years and finished her political career as Leader of the Opposition.
After working for over seven years in Papua New Guinea, Chris worked and lived in the Kimberley for over forty years. During that time he has been involved as an expedition guide and guest lecturer, particularly on coastal cruises with Coral Expeditions, but also on inland trips.
Terry Done has been a regular Guest Lecturer with the company since 2004, doing several cruises per year on Kimberley and Tasmanian coasts. Terry is a long-time resident of Townsville, where he was a Research Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and where his two adult children were born.
For over thirty years American-born Linda Hoffman has trekked and sailed through Indonesia’s most remote regions and waters as a freelance travel writer, tour leader and guest lecturer.
Michael studied archaeology and anthropology at the ANU in the 1980’s and then trained as a teacher. He has worked in various educational and heritage roles, including as a teacher in Arnhemland, heritage specialist with BHP and the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service and as a lecturer in Cultural Resource Management at the Top End’s Batchelor Institute.
Jeffrey is a specialist in Indonesian cultures and history who has been visiting the archipelago as a traveller, sailor and researcher since 1975. He has published widely on its diverse maritime traditions and speaks Bahasa Indonesia.
Greg’s whole working life has been one of interaction with the natural world. His first job after school was collecting venomous snakes, and extracting their venom for use in the production of antivenoms. A sojourn as a film cameraman for a few years in the big city honed his photography skills but the song of the snake and the call of the coral were too insistent.
A new-comer to the team, Mateo hails from the ‘deep south’ of the South Island of New Zealand. A passionate conservationist and outdoorsman, Mateo brings a wealth of local knowledge about the native flora and fauna, and the natural environments we explore.
Birder and photographer, volunteer for Tas Parks, has spent a lot of time in Melaleuca and on Schouten Island. Teacher for the last 20 years, Finished last year. Taught Food processing, Tour guiding, Remote area navigation and Remote area survival skills. Keen bush walker and have actively involved in volunteering for various government agencies.
Anne O’Dea has over 30 years of experience in the natural and cultural resource management, training and public education. She has filled various positions in National Parks in Queensland and Northern Territory, including Fraser Island and jointly managed Kakadu National Parks, highlighted by work with humpback whales, dugong, sea turtles and small mammals.
Steve has over 30 years experience in natural and cultural resource management having worked in both marine and terrestrial protected areas. His passion for culture and the environment began in the Siassi Islands of Papua New Guinea – his childhood home, which led him to a career in National Parks across Australia.
NATURAL and HUMAN HISTORIAN – Howard has been captivated by the marine ecosystems and rich maritime history of the west coast of Australia for nearly four decades. The Houtman Abrolhos Islands has been of particular interest since his first visits in 1980. In the decades since, through his first-hand diving and exploring trips and delving into the research material and archives, he has built up a considerable knowledge of this amazing archipelago.
Marine biologist and oceanographer – heads up a turtle rescue foundation. Marine specialist with over 40 years experience as a presenter in several disciplines.
Kerry Howe grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, and soon fell in love with the sea. He has a PhD from the Australian National University and is internationally regarded for his 11 books on aspects of the prehistory, history and cultures of the Pacific region including Australia and New Zealand.
Writer, historian and painter, Alasdair is based in Sydney but thrives on any chance to get away from the city and indulge his fascination with wild places. He has been lucky enough to paint and write about areas as diverse as Antarctica, northern Australia and Borneo, with Antarctica being a persistent theme.
Sandy is a Guest Lecturer (GL) with Coral Expeditions (CE). He began on the Kimberley cruises in 1998 and has averaged three Darwin-Broome return cruises each year since. He has also been a GL on Cairns to Darwin cruises, ‘Cape York and Arnhem Land’, on about ten occasions.
Ian Morris OAM — zoologist, educator, conservationist, and author—has worked with the Aboriginal traditional owners of Arnhem Land region since his early life as a secondary science teacher, after working on a number of projects across Australia with the UNSW School of Zoology.
Marine biologist Mike Sugden owned his first boat at the age of 14 paid for by paper rounds before school. In the 80’s Mike was a scuba instructor trainer and examiner. His lectures reveal his extensive research, experience and passion for the underwater world.
Dame Carol Kidu, (a teacher by profession) retired from Papua New Guinea Parliament in 2012 after 15 years in politics. She was the Minister for Community Development for 9 years and finished her political career as Leader of the Opposition.
After working for over seven years in Papua New Guinea, Chris worked and lived in the Kimberley for over forty years. During that time he has been involved as an expedition guide and guest lecturer, particularly on coastal cruises with Coral Expeditions, but also on inland trips.
Terry Done has been a regular Guest Lecturer with the company since 2004, doing several cruises per year on Kimberley and Tasmanian coasts. Terry is a long-time resident of Townsville, where he was a Research Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and where his two adult children were born.
For over thirty years American-born Linda Hoffman has trekked and sailed through Indonesia’s most remote regions and waters as a freelance travel writer, tour leader and guest lecturer.
Michael studied archaeology and anthropology at the ANU in the 1980’s and then trained as a teacher. He has worked in various educational and heritage roles, including as a teacher in Arnhemland, heritage specialist with BHP and the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service and as a lecturer in Cultural Resource Management at the Top End’s Batchelor Institute.
Jeffrey is a specialist in Indonesian cultures and history who has been visiting the archipelago as a traveller, sailor and researcher since 1975. He has published widely on its diverse maritime traditions and speaks Bahasa Indonesia.
Greg’s whole working life has been one of interaction with the natural world. His first job after school was collecting venomous snakes, and extracting their venom for use in the production of antivenoms. A sojourn as a film cameraman for a few years in the big city honed his photography skills but the song of the snake and the call of the coral were too insistent.
A new-comer to the team, Mateo hails from the ‘deep south’ of the South Island of New Zealand. A passionate conservationist and outdoorsman, Mateo brings a wealth of local knowledge about the native flora and fauna, and the natural environments we explore.
Birder and photographer, volunteer for Tas Parks, has spent a lot of time in Melaleuca and on Schouten Island. Teacher for the last 20 years, Finished last year. Taught Food processing, Tour guiding, Remote area navigation and Remote area survival skills. Keen bush walker and have actively involved in volunteering for various government agencies.
Anne O’Dea has over 30 years of experience in the natural and cultural resource management, training and public education. She has filled various positions in National Parks in Queensland and Northern Territory, including Fraser Island and jointly managed Kakadu National Parks, highlighted by work with humpback whales, dugong, sea turtles and small mammals.
Steve has over 30 years experience in natural and cultural resource management having worked in both marine and terrestrial protected areas. His passion for culture and the environment began in the Siassi Islands of Papua New Guinea – his childhood home, which led him to a career in National Parks across Australia.
NATURAL and HUMAN HISTORIAN – Howard has been captivated by the marine ecosystems and rich maritime history of the west coast of Australia for nearly four decades. The Houtman Abrolhos Islands has been of particular interest since his first visits in 1980. In the decades since, through his first-hand diving and exploring trips and delving into the research material and archives, he has built up a considerable knowledge of this amazing archipelago.
Marine biologist and oceanographer – heads up a turtle rescue foundation. Marine specialist with over 40 years experience as a presenter in several disciplines.
Kerry Howe grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, and soon fell in love with the sea. He has a PhD from the Australian National University and is internationally regarded for his 11 books on aspects of the prehistory, history and cultures of the Pacific region including Australia and New Zealand.
Writer, historian and painter, Alasdair is based in Sydney but thrives on any chance to get away from the city and indulge his fascination with wild places. He has been lucky enough to paint and write about areas as diverse as Antarctica, northern Australia and Borneo, with Antarctica being a persistent theme.
Richard Aldridge’s Tribal Art Lecture Series will cover the art of New Guinea and the Maluku Islands, with insights gathered during 16 years he spent in some of the most remote areas on earth.
Internationally renowned Torres Straight artist, Brian Robinson will guide expedition guests through Cape York and Arnhem Land on a voyage combining the very best of Australia’s beautiful northern coastline with a unique opportunity to experience art and culture first hand.
Research scientist and environmental educator, Liz has worked at many locations around the world including the remote Indian Ocean outposts of Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island, Tasmania and it’s off-shore islands and the swamps of the USA.
Allan du Toit transferred to the active reserve as a Rear Admiral in early 2016 after 40 years combined full-time service in two Commonwealth navies.
Ian first went to work in Indonesia in 1968 as a young geologist, before going on to spend over 30 years, living, working and travelling in Indonesia and his three published books show his fascination with the diverse history and cultures of the archipelago.
Richard Aldridge’s Tribal Art Lecture Series will cover the art of New Guinea and the Maluku Islands, with insights gathered during 16 years he spent in some of the most remote areas on earth.
Internationally renowned Torres Straight artist, Brian Robinson will guide expedition guests through Cape York and Arnhem Land on a voyage combining the very best of Australia’s beautiful northern coastline with a unique opportunity to experience art and culture first hand.
Research scientist and environmental educator, Liz has worked at many locations around the world including the remote Indian Ocean outposts of Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island, Tasmania and it’s off-shore islands and the swamps of the USA.
Allan du Toit transferred to the active reserve as a Rear Admiral in early 2016 after 40 years combined full-time service in two Commonwealth navies.
Ian first went to work in Indonesia in 1968 as a young geologist, before going on to spend over 30 years, living, working and travelling in Indonesia and his three published books show his fascination with the diverse history and cultures of the archipelago.
Hospitality Team: Our experienced Pursers are on call 24 hours a day to ensure your cruise experience is as comfortable as possible. Visit the Purser’s desk to find out more about the services and facilities on board, purchase internet and telephone cards, check your on-board account and seek advice about your onward travel arrangements. The Purser’s hospitality staff will service your stateroom each morning, turn down your room in the evening and assist during meal service in the Dining Room.
From The Bridge:
Equipped with a Degree in Marine Biology and a love for the sea, Josh has been exploring the Great Barrier Reef with Coral Expeditions for over 10 years. Starting as a Trip Director, you now find Josh in the Bridge as Master. Pop into our Open Bridge for a chat with him as he navigates you through the Coral Sea.
“Seeing the ecstatic faces and hearing the pure joy in their voices as our passenger’s comment on what they have witnessed and learnt, is for me the most important, satisfying and unforgettable experience that the Great Barrier Reef can provide. I refer to this natural wonder as my “office” and as far as I am concerned I work in the very best office in the world!”
Having joined Coral Expeditions in 2011 as a cruise attendant, throughout her 9 years with us she has worked with many captains, deck officers and crew. “They have all taught me something that helps me to be the best at my role. Most recently, Captain Craig and JB have taught me the new skill of how to drive an azipull vessel.”
Equipped with a Degree in Marine Biology and a love for the sea, Josh has been exploring the Great Barrier Reef with Coral Expeditions for over 10 years. Starting as a Trip Director, you now find Josh in the Bridge as Master. Pop into our Open Bridge for a chat with him as he navigates you through the Coral Sea.
“Seeing the ecstatic faces and hearing the pure joy in their voices as our passenger’s comment on what they have witnessed and learnt, is for me the most important, satisfying and unforgettable experience that the Great Barrier Reef can provide. I refer to this natural wonder as my “office” and as far as I am concerned I work in the very best office in the world!”
Having joined Coral Expeditions in 2011 as a cruise attendant, throughout her 9 years with us she has worked with many captains, deck officers and crew. “They have all taught me something that helps me to be the best at my role. Most recently, Captain Craig and JB have taught me the new skill of how to drive an azipull vessel.”
Back on land, the team working from the office are working hard to make sure your entire experience runs smoothly from the time you first contact us.
Gary has a passion for marine history, mastering the art of sailing replica ships around the globe. Historic vessels such as Cook´s legendary Endeavour and Dutch ship Duyfken (originally built in 1595).
The Reservations Team is made up of five staff, who are Australian (with one Kiwi), and based out of our headquarters in Cairns. Sitting together in a block in the middle of our open plan office, they are the hub for jokes and snacks and keep the mood of the office bright and cheery.
The Product Team is made up of three staff and based out of our headquarters in Cairns.
Gary has a passion for marine history, mastering the art of sailing replica ships around the globe. Historic vessels such as Cook´s legendary Endeavour and Dutch ship Duyfken (originally built in 1595).
The Reservations Team is made up of five staff, who are Australian (with one Kiwi), and based out of our headquarters in Cairns. Sitting together in a block in the middle of our open plan office, they are the hub for jokes and snacks and keep the mood of the office bright and cheery.
The Product Team is made up of three staff and based out of our headquarters in Cairns.
Often we welcome special guests onboard as Guest Lecturers, Photographers and Hosts. Below are some of the past and future special guests.
We have a number of expeditions partnering with Australia Geographic, each with an amazing Australian Geographic journalist or photographer to share their knowledge.
We have a number of expeditions partnering with Australia Geographic, each with an amazing Australian Geographic journalist or photographer to share their knowledge.