Australian travellers have fallen in love with Kimberley Coast Cruising and this in turn is driving increased demand for land-based travel across the region, according to award winning luxury tour and cruise operator APT.
With the new APT Kimberley Coast Cruising 2016 brochure launching today, Rob Tandy, General Manager for the company’s Kimberley portfolio says, “We’ve seen huge interest in this program over the past two years and predict that our most popular dates will sell out in a matter of months. What is interesting to note is that guests are choosing to combine their cruises with our popular Kimberley land tours, spending longer in the region in order to explore it in much more depth. In response, we have increased our land inventory by 30 percent. With an impressive waitlist already in place, we are expecting our Kimberley Cruise and Land combos to be a hot seller for travel agents.”
To help agents secure early sales for the first time ever, APT is offering a ‘Fly Free’ SuperDeal to the region on all cruise and land tour combinations, representing a saving of up to $2,400 per couple. Cruise-only bookings qualify for a ‘Companion Fly Free’ offer. Availability is limited, terms and conditions apply and the offers are valid until 31 July 2015 or until sold out.
APT offers Kimberley Coast Cruising aboard two vessels, its own small ship, the MS Caledonian Sky and the Oceanic Discoverer. Both will operate full charters on the APT program in 2016, cruising the Kimberley coastline between Broome and Darwin. Both will be chaperoned by an APT Expedition Leader, an expedition team and onboard expert lecturers.
APT’s own small expedition ship the elegant 57-suite MS Caledonian Sky vessel has capacity for just 110 guests and its cabins are 25 percent larger than any other cruise ship in the region. As well as a Lido deck for al fresco dining, a sun deck, library, small gym and hairdressing salon, each suite enjoys ocean views, climate control, a mini fridge, sitting area, flat screen television and a telephone. A fleet of 10 Zodiacs enable guests to explore the coastline up close and in-depth.
APT also has exclusive charters on the purpose-built Oceanic Discoverer. Offering all the comforts of a larger cruiser, it has the more intimate feel of a smaller style ship. Hosting just 72 guests, the ship features a Promenade Deck, an Xplorer vessel for shore excursions, and a range of elegant staterooms that each feature ocean views, an ensuite and air conditioning.
APT’s Kimberley Coast Cruise itineraries are fully inclusive and cover all sightseeing, APT’s bespoke ‘Signature Experiences’, park and cruise fees, expert services of an APT Expedition Leader/Team, an all day drinks package on the MS Caledonian Sky or drinks with lunch and dinner on board the Oceanic Discoverer cruise, transfers to and from the ship, expert guest lecturers and all meals.
Accommodation on the land tours includes APT’s exclusive network of Wilderness Lodges which offer a touch of luxury in the outback. Also featured are a portfolio of stunning Stations, Hotels and Lodges, such as Home Valley Station and Cicada Lodge, alongside Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, Emma Gorge Resort in El Questro Wilderness Park, Drysdale River Station, and Hawk Dreaming Wilderness Lodge.
The lead in cruise is the 11-day Kimberley Coast Cruise which travels from Darwin via Selaru Island to Broome aboard the MS Caledonian Sky. Priced from $11,595 per person it comprises a ten night cruise from Darwin, taking in King George River and Falls, Jar Island, Mitchell Falls, Naturalist Island, Montgomery Reef, Buccaneer Archipelago and the Lacepede Islands before disembarking at Broome.
APT’s tailor-made sightseeing ‘Signature Experiences’ include a jet boat ride through Horizontal Falls admire the tallest falls in Western Australia at King George Falls and viewing rare Green Turtle breeding grounds at Lacepede Islands. APT’s Freedom of Choice Touring™ in Wyndham, offers guests a choice of sightseeing which includes Ord River Cruise, tour El Questro Wilderness Park, a flight to the Argyle Diamond Mine or the chance to explore the Bungle Bungle Range by air and land.
APT hosts more people in the Kimberley each year than any other tour and cruise operator and is widely recognised as being one of the region’s leading tourism providers. Awarded Best Tour Operator for three years running (2012, 2013 and 2014) at the NTIAs, APT was also voted Best Land Operator at Australia’s Northwest Awards in 2014 and won the Tourism Council of Western Australia’s Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award 2014.
APT’s Kimberley Coast Cruising 2016 brochure is available now.
For further information call APT on 1300 196 420, visit kimberleywilderness.com.au or see your local travel agent.