Santana has chartered the Coral Adventurer for Australia and Tasmania!
Established in 1983, Coral Expeditions is “Australia’s own cruise line.” While they had previously operated smaller coastal vessels, Coral caught Santana’s attention with the 2019 launch of Coral Adventurer, a full-on expedition ship with room for 120 cyclists and their bicycles!
Santana and the rest of the cruise world was captivated by the ship’s revolutionary tenders that comfortably take-on seated passengers before being lowered into the water. Better than normal tenders, Coral’s unique pair of Xplorer landing craft quickly reach shore and, if no pier is available, deploy a wide bow-ramp to provide “dry-foot” landings at beaches, bays, and inlets.
In addition to advanced stabilizers, Coral’s new expedition class cruise ship sports an ingenious wave piercing bow which cuts through the swells instead of climbing over them. Despite its petite dimensions, this unique vessel demonstrated the ability to cruise the seven seas as comfortably as a large ocean liner.
Santana’s participants have a pronounced affinity for ships with an open bridge policy. The Coral Adventurer takes crew interaction to a new level with a ship’s bridge that includes comfortable viewing seats to encourage you to stay a while.
Moreover, the entire crew is comprised of friendly Aussies that are eager to share their local knowledge and culture. The ship’s onboard expedition team provides lectures and a wealth of information about Australia’s peculiar plants and animals. As the Coral Adventurer is Australian flagged, it has permission to put cyclists and bikes ashore via its special Xplorer Landers virtually anywhere in Australia and Tasmania, rather than only at authorized international ports.
Although the 120-passenger ship is yacht-dimensioned, it has a wealth of public space, including separate lounge and dining rooms—each with enough seating to accommodate all passengers.
The chef is especially excited when the ship cruises Tasmania as this allows him to showcase fresh local ingredients. Not to be outdone, the sommelier loves sharing Tasmania’s award-winning chardonnays & pinot noirs.
All 60 staterooms have an exterior view, private bath, sound proofing, individual air conditioning, and king-width bedding that converts to a pair of full size twins. The smallest staterooms, at 182 square feet, are larger and nicer than those found on the typical cruise ship.
While not quite suites, balcony staterooms feature a larger floor plan with a private balcony.
Top-deck suites combine an even more spacious floor plan with a larger private balcony to provide the airy feel of a penthouse.
Coral Expeditions has won several awards from Cruise Critic and Tripadvisor, as well as advanced certifications for eco-tourism, green cruising, and sustainability.
Australia Cycling Cruise 2027
Week 2: Melbourne to Hobart
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the exact dates?
A: The Cruise Dates are February 9 to 18, 2027. Our 11-day cruise through this temperate part of the southern hemisphere occurs in February 2027. While most of the Northern Hemisphere is freezing, it’s late summer in the Southern Hemisphere. During our tour you can expect sunny days with daily temperatures ranging into the high 70s. Also the driest month of the year, you’ll experience ideal short sleeve cycling weather while your friends back home are snow.
Q: What’s the cost?
A: Due to Santana’s friendship with Coral Expeditions, our per-person pricing for this 10-day Australia Cycling Cruise starts at $7,999. Premium suite categories cost more. Booking early is easy and RISK FREE. Our reservations page shows pricing of available staterooms.
Q: What about tipping?
A: Santana’s team doesn’t accept tips. Included in our “total price fares” are a cruise extras fee, port taxes, and shipboard gratuities for the ships crew. The comprehensive “cruise extras” fee includes a long list of off-ship activities, tours, admissions, interpretive guides, site fees, non-rider touring coach, and ride support (gps route files and a pair of SOS vans driven by pro mechanics). Shipboard gratuities include wash & fold laundry and valet bike handling.
Q: Are there differences between the staterooms?
A: Certainly. The Coral Adventurer features deluxe bedding and spacious floor plans. The staterooms have a private bathroom with a double-vanity & double-sinks, air-conditioning with adjustable thermostat, and are soundproofed. All Coral Adventurer staterooms are located on the exterior, and offer exquisite views or balconies. Specifics about the stateroom categories can be located in the reservations menu.
Q: How are staterooms assigned?
A: In any sub-category all rooms are virtually identical. Using the reservation timestamp, those who reserve earliest get the conveniently located staterooms closest to the heart of the ship. If friends desire a pair of adjacent staterooms the timestamp of the first reservation determines the location of both rooms. Out of fairness to all our guests, we will not take requests for specific room numbers. Those who book early obtain prime positioning.
Q: Are rental bikes available? Are e-bike rentals available?
A: Yes. If you own a nice bike that fits, however, bringing it with you is relatively easy and inexpensive. More info on this in Bill’s Travel Tips. Lightweight road bike rentals are about $550 per-person for the duration of the cruise, and E-Bike rentals are about $200 more. Bike rentals include delivery on embark day and retrieval at the end of the final ride. More info on our “Welcome Aboard” page.
Q: How do we get to and from the tour?
A: Detailed info by March ’26. Those who arrive and leave on select days will receive FREE Airport transfers.
Q: How many miles each day?
A: In addition to our daily pair of zero-mile options (remaining on the ship or reaching prime attractions via Santana’s non-rider touring coach), every day has multiple cycling routes. Anyone who can ride 35 flat miles will be able to enjoy multiple days of easy cycling. Longer routes are available, and typically allow 60 or more miles. Our welcome aboard page has more info on mileage. At each morning’s breakfast you’ll get a map charting the day’s cycling routes and recommended stops. During a brief route talk you’ll hear about each route’s attractions. Santana’s vets have learned to love and rely on their handlebar-mounted GPS units. Available for less than $170, these touch-screen marvels prevent the age-old problem of getting lost or riding unplanned miles. Would you rather use your smartphone? Use the tips in our GPS Guide to make sure you’re ready to go. Santana supplies free electronic mapping and route files. Simply select the route and follow the highlighted map.
Q: What’s the next step?
A: A near-immediate sell-out of this event is anticipated. Early-in pricing is limited to the first few rooms in each category. Pricing listed on the Stateroom Reservations section is the current pricing. Refresh your browser to see any changes that may have occurred if you delay booking after loading this page. To lock-in availability and the lowest pricing on a RISK-FREE basis, reserve your space through our Online Reservations portal. Santana’s secure website is open 24 hours per day, accepts all major credit cards, and automatically adjusts for remaining stateroom availability. Reserving your spot is RISK-FREE. In each category the prime location staterooms will be assigned in the same order as the time stamp of your booking.
Q: What do you mean by RISK-FREE?
A: When you use your credit card and book through our website, we’ll give you 14 risk-free days to think it over and clear your schedule. If you change your mind, send an email to Cancellations@SantanaAdventures.com within two weeks to cancel the transaction and obtain a full refund. Here is a full listing of Santana Adventures’ Terms & Conditions.
Q: What if we change our minds after 14 days?
A: Because full-boat charters are binding, non-cancelable contracts, Jan and I will only enter into this charter based on your confirmed-through-payment commitment. In effect, we undertake a huge risk by guaranteeing full payment on your behalf. After entering into this obligation, we cannot afford for you to back out—for any reason. This is no different than the clear written policy that existed for all except one of Santana’s prior chartered-ship cruises (this charter will be our 109th!). While preparing for our 2009 Danube event I neglected to include the following proviso. That’s the year a group of friends, after verbally agreeing to pay in full and then stringing Jan along for many months, decided to cancel their plans. Lesson learned! Here it is (again) in writing:
Santana’s acceptance of your registration and non-refundable deposit for this event is subsequent to your agreement to pay the remaining balance in full. While Santana allows limited refunds on rallies and tours, Santana’s cruises are non-cancelable and non-transferable. When the possibility of paying yet not attending is unacceptable, Jan and I recommend Travel Guard trip insurance. For the past 25 years hundreds of our clients have relied on Travel Guard coverage without complaint. An informative application will be mailed with your invoice; and further information is available online. Here is a full listing of Santana Adventures’ Terms & Conditions.
Q: Have you ever relaxed your refund policy?
A: Jan and I have willingly resold a number of fully prepaid staterooms for a fee of $1,000 per stateroom—which is waived when vacating participants find someone to take their place. When there has been more than one pending resell request, those who paid-in-full earliest had their space resold next. Using this non-guaranteed method (which is grossly inferior to trip insurance) Jan and I have cheerfully refunded over $700,000 in otherwise non-refundable and non-transferable cruise fares. Here is a full listing of Santana Adventures’ Terms & Conditions.
Q: What’s the difference between a SAG-wagon and Santana’s SOS/treasure vans?
A: Most tour companies use SAG-wagons that haul luggage and “sweep” the route between overnight stops. The drivers refill water-bottles, fix flat tires, and retrieve riders who can’t manage the easiest route between the widely spaced hotels. The problem, of course, is that the roving vans tend to be annoying until you actually need help. At that point it’s common to wait for two or more hours until one shows up. Although SAG drivers can fix a flat, they don’t have the tools or know-how to handle serious mechanical problems. Instead, they drive you to a bike shop (which explains why SAG-wagons disappear for hours at a time). This tour’s SOS vans are driven by pro bike mechanics who bring tools and spares. When you phone our drivers with the coordinates from your GPS, they’ll arrive in a flash to get you back in the saddle. Because Santana expects participants to fill their own bottles, fix their own flats, and choose a ride they can finish, our SOS drivers are underworked, and have time to retrieve your shopping treasures.
Q: Are beverages included?
A: Normally extra, Santana’s Australia Cycling Cruise includes an assortment of Australian Beers and Wines with Lunch and Dinner. Additional alcohol is not included, but can be charged to your room. Soft drinks, coffee, espresso drinks, and juice are always complementary.
Q: Which meals are included?
A: During Santana’s earlier charters of Coral Expeditions, the culinary staff appreciated our appetites as much as we appreciated their multi-course gourmet meals. A 5-star chef will curate a new menu for each meal, and will always include a surprising selection of local fruits and produce, regional specialties, the freshest-possible seafood, vegetarian options, and grilled-to-order meats. A changing assortment of desserts and pastries are produced aboard each day. Breakfast and Lunch are served nouvo-buffet style, perfect for active cyclists. Dinners are served by knowledgeable and attentive waiters who can help you to make choices from each evening’s delightful menu of gourmet selections.
Q: Does the Coral Adventurer offer laundry service?
A: The Coral Adventurer does offer an optional laundry service for your cycling wear. Additionally, Coral Expeditions’ experts have always taken great care of our expensive cycling wear.
Q: Does the Coral Adventurer have WiFi?
A: Satellite based WiFi is available at extra cost.
Q: Will there be menu selections for vegetarians, vegans and picky eaters?
A: Yes to all of the above.
Q: Does the Coral Adventurer have Room Service?
A: Yes, all food served on board is complimentary, including 24-hour room service.
Q: Does the Coral Adventurer have Elevators?
A: Yes.
Q: What if we have more questions?
A: The quickest and easiest way to get help is to use Santana’s Contact Form. One of our team members will follow up with you as soon as possible.
Australia Cycling Cruise 2027
Week 2: Melbourne to Hobart
Stateroom Reservations
February 9 to 18, 2027
Deck Plan
