BEFORE YOU TRAVEL: PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION

We understand that as the excitement for your cruise builds, you might have questions for our team. The below should clear up any queries you may have. For any extra information, please contact our friendly reservations team on 1800 079 545 during business hours in Australia or email explore@coralexpeditions.com

Before you sail, you will also receive detailed SailSAFE and other pre-departure documents providing a range of information on your packing, your destination, and your ship.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel Insurance is not included in your cruise fare. You are required to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes (without limitation) coverage for the cost of your cruise, medical expenses, loss of luggage, cruise and land content and airfare charges that may occur due to cancellation, impossibility of performance or unexpected events including other frustration, disruption, loss of deposit or strikes.

Due to the remote nature of our expeditions at sea, you are also strongly encouraged to include remote area evacuation in your policy. If you do not have remote area evacuation insurance, you will be requested to provide us with a signed authorisation to charge a credit card for all costs associated with an evacuation. You will not be permitted to travel if you are unable to meet these mandatory requirements.

• Coral Expeditions has a policy that it is mandatory to have valid travel insurance to prevent any guest from the risk of financial crisis or harm because of various circumstances that can occur when travelling.
• Medicare does not cover medical remote evacuation from a ship. An evacuation may involve expenses of air and sea transfers through private operators and all expenses will need to be covered by the insurance or guest. Evidence of insurance or preauthorisation to charge is required to ensure no delays occur in response time during an event. It is also important to note that ship Doctors do not have Medicare as they are engaged only to deal with emergency management and oversee COVID SailSAFE processes.
• Coral Expeditions does not have any affiliations with nor does it endorse any specific insurance suppliers. The Australian Government Smart Traveller website is a helpful resource for many guests and information on insurance for travellers can be found here CHOICE travel insurance guide | Smartraveller. The site includes a regular review of travel providers in market.We advise guests to do research to ensure that policies suit their specific needs and that they understand the fine detail of policies. Some credit card providers and private health insurance providers are offering travel insurance policies as well.
• It is a requirement of our Cruise Ticket Conditions that guests provide details of the insurance policy and remote area coverage prior to travel. Our reservations team will record this policy number and details for our records. Coral Expeditions will accept no liability for inaccurate information provided and a failure by guests to have secured appropriate insurance can lead to avoidable administrative delays during emergency circumstances. It is common practice for evacuation suppliers to contact insurers for coverage before deploying a response. Please refer to the cruise ticket terms and conditions for details of our travel policy.

MEDICAL

As our itineraries cover remote regions, they are not suitable for those with serious medical conditions. Any ongoing medical issues should be disclosed to reservations staff at the time of booking.

• All voyages will carry a medical specialist on board. This will be either a Medical Doctor or a Registered Nurse. They will be on hand to attend to any emergency illness or medical issue experienced on the voyage. They will not be available for general or non-voyage specific health consultations.
• Our crew are medically trained as a requirement of their roles to meet Australian Maritime Safety Standards. Many issues can be well managed at sea and we also have remote support consult with specialist organisations like the Royal Flying Doctor and various state and territory health facilities.

Please refer to our SailSAFE Health & Safety for Guest & Crew for information regarding health practices and doctors on board.

WHAT TO PACK

• We recommend that you pack simply and lightly. Clothing that you can layer will prepare you for all kinds of weather. More specific information regarding clothing and the weather conditions in your destination are included in your Cruise Documentation which you will receive prior to your cruise.

LIFE ONBOARD

• All our ships are Australian flagged, therefore when doing a domestic cruise our ships do not leave domestic waters.
• If you want to SCUBA dive while on your expedition please refer to our Snorkelling & Scuba Diving Information
• Laundry services are available onboard; however, the service is limited. Laundry bags and forms are stored in your wardrobe for collection by your cruise attendants. Charges for this service will be posted to your onboard account. As the service is for laundering only, please ask the hospitality staff if you require an iron and ironing board.
• Prior written permission to fly Remotely Piloted Aircrafts (Drones) from or near a Coral Expeditions vessel (includes tenders and explorer vessels) for photography or other uses, must be obtained by the General Manager. Please speak with our reservations team to discuss.
• Upon embarkation, we will automatically open your personal shipboard account. We operate a chit system and for your security, ask that you sign each chit as you order from our bar, shop, or make any other onboard purchases. At the end of the voyage your account may be settled in Australian dollars cash, and by American Express; Visa; MasterCard or Diners Club. On International cruises, it is often not possible to obtain cash at the villages and towns we visit. We suggest you bring enough local currency with you for the duration of your cruise.

INTERNATIONAL

• Please ensure your passport has 6 months’ validity from the time the expedition commences plus two free pages. It is the responsibility of all guests to ensure they meet visa requirements prior to travel. At least 4-6 weeks prior to departure, guests should contact the relevant country’s local Embassy / High Commission / Consulate with entry/exit details to confirm visa requirements based on their nationality. Entry and exit dates/points will be noted on your cruise itinerary.
• We strongly recommend consulting your medical advisor prior to your International cruise. You should be up to date with routine vaccinations. Refer to the Centre of Disease Control website for up-to-date vaccination requirements (these requirements are subject to change).