Coral Discoverer

Packing essentials vary depending on personal preferences. You may wish to use the following list of items as a guide. Most people dress casually on tour, however, you may want to wear something slightly more formal for Captain’s dinners and cocktail evenings. Consider the time of year you are travelling and the likelihood of fuctuating temperatures. We recommend layering your clothing so that you can be prepared for changes in weather conditions throughout the day. Pack clothing you are comfortable being active in to wear during shore excursions.

Expedition basics

• Small day pack to take on excursions for water or photography equipment and other supplies - preferably waterproof. Water resistant backpacks available for purchase on board.
• Preferred supplies to stay hydrated – hydrolyte powder or tablets for your water bottle or hydration pack.
• Sunhat with brim (available for purchase on board).
• Swimsuit and/or board shorts (for swimming opportunities).
• Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes, hiking boots if preferred.
• Wet landing shoes, such as reef walkers or Tevas for any potential wet landings.
• Comfortable pants, shorts, or ftness gear for walks.
• Long-sleeve shirt and rashie for sun protection.
• A waterproof windbreaker jacket and scarf for cool sea breezes or travelling on excursion vessels.
• Warm layers for outdoors.
• Sunscreen, lip balm and insect repellent and sunburn relief products – a supply is available on board; however you may wish to bring your own. We recommend and supply marine friendly SP50+ sunscreen on board which is non-toxic to marine life.
• Please note: wet landings can occur on shelly and pebbly beaches with sharp shells. Proper wet landing shoes are important, we don’t recommend wearing thongs.

On board

• Sandals or casual shoes for onboard use.
• Comfortable or smart-casual clothing.
• Light long-sleeved shirts to layer.
• Preferred personal hygiene products
• (additional to those amenities supplied on board) and any prescription medications for the length of voyage.

List of suggested items

• Binoculars.
• Neck Buff to soak in cool water before and after hikes.
• Hiking sticks for navigating uneven surfaces.
• Long-sleeve shirt or rashie for sun protection (available for purchase on board).
• Camera with battery charger and memory cards.
• Seasickness pills or bracelets if you are prone to seasickness (available to be dispensed on board at a cost).
• Rain jacket, lightweight (available for purchase on board).
• Earplugs and/or eye-shade for light sleepers.
• Plug adapters or voltage converters.
• Small collapsible umbrella for shade and sun protection (rain umbrellas are available on board for use).
• Underwater or waterproof camera for any water activities
• Stinger suit (we recommend bringing your own for comfort, as onboard supply is limited).
• Wetsuit or springsuit (We recommend bringing your own for comfort, as onboard supply is limited).
• Thermal swimwear suitable for colder climates.
• Preferred personal snorkel gear (personal choice).

Pack in carry-on

• Prescription medication.

Please ensure you advise either your Travel Agent or APT of any dietary requirements as soon as possible. Every effort is made to fulfill requests, but these cannot always be guaranteed. With the wide selection of menus and choice of dishes available, special dietary requirements will be met where possible. For strict dietary requirements, please check with your Travel Agent or APT concerning meals.

The currency on board is the Australian dollar. Guests will require a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express) to register your personal on board account. All purchases on board will be charged back to your onboard account.

We recommend you bring money (or a credit card) for incidentals such as refreshments or souvenirs not included in your package.

A strict no smoking policy is enforced throughout the interior of the ships, including in private balcony areas. A designated smoking area is provided on an outside deck. Please check with your Cruise Director or Expedition Team for further information. This policy also applies to e-cigarettes.

The official language used by APT staff worldwide is English. All onboard staff, crew and local guides speak fluent English. All guided tours, announcements and lectures will be presented in English.

Standard Wi-Fi is included onboard but cannot be guaranteed at all times due to the nature of satellite communications, which are subject to disruption from weather and obstructions. We advise you to download your favourite shows prior to embarkation. Internet access is best in public areas but not guaranteed in staterooms due to the ship’s steel structure. Mobile coverage is often not available during the cruise due to the remote location. It is recommended you use internet communications such as WhatsApp and Messenger to make calls and send messages using the complimentary internet provided onboard.

For passengers’ comfort, a limited laundry service is available to all guests. You will find laundry pricing, bags and slips inside your cabin. Charges for this service will be posted to your onboard account. As the service is for laundering only, ironing services are not provided. Mini ironing boards and irons are available from the Reception desk.

Excursion Vessels

Xplorer

The ship’s lightweight Xplorer vessels allows deeper exploration on shore excursions. The Xplorer is fast, sturdy, comfortable and developed to allow easy disembarkation onto remote shores. Passengers are able to walk straight onto the vessels from the deck. Xplorer is equipped with shelter and toilet facilities.

Zodiacs

Both ships carry inflatable landing craft (Zodiacs). Designed for expeditions, these large, heavy-duty inflatables are extremely safe and maneuverable. The flat bottom design permits these crafts to land directly onto beaches. Guests must be able to access the Zodiacs by stepping down several steps. Some assistance will be given by on-board crew and members of the Expedition Team, but passengers will not be lifted in and out of the Zodiacs. Please be aware your feet may become wet when disembarking on shore landings.

Kayaks

Both double and single kayaks are available for use at select points throughout your cruise.

Glass Bottom Coral Viewing Vessel

(Great Barrier Reef and Tasmania cruises only)

The Coral Discoverer carries a glass-bottom viewing vessel allowing an informative and out-of-water reef experience.

A good level of health and fitness is essential. You will be required to embark and disembark excursion vessels, partake walks, possibly in hot conditions and/or on uneven terrain, and navigate steps, steep terrain and slippery surfaces. Walking poles are great for stability. While our crew is always there to lend a steady hand, note that for safety reasons they are not able to lift guests in and out of Zodiacs. In preparation for your tour, we recommend taking walks at least three times across a variety of terrain which should include climbing steps, building up to hour-long walks in the weeks just before your tour begins. This will ensure you have the stamina and energy to see and appreciate all the sights on offer. Ensure your walking shoes fit properly and have been worn in prior to departure.

Please note: walking frames are not recommended for these tours or for those with serious medical conditions. Any ongoing medical issues should be discussed with reservations staff at the time of booking.

See Your GP

Your GP or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventative measures. We recommend you consult your GP or local travel clinic for detailed advice to ensure maximum pre-travel preparation. Please take a copy of your travel itinerary with you to assist your GP with the recommendations of appropriate medication.

Please note: the ship does not travel with a doctor or nurse on Australian domestic voyages so we recommend that you pack a small medical kit which includes your preferred pain killer, cold and flu medication, gastrointestinal medication and anti-motion sickness medication. Crew are medically trained as a requirement of their roles to meet Australian Maritime Safety Standards. The ships also have remote support from specialist organisations like the Royal Flying Doctor Service and various state and territory health facilities.

Colds and Flu

Viral respiratory infections are the most common infectious illnesses affecting travellers. Colds and flu are primarily spread by people coughing, so practice hygiene and respiratory courtesy – wash your hands often, cover your coughs and sneezes, use anti-bacterial wipes or hand sanitiser frequently, especially after shore excursions, prior to meals and throughout the day. Influenza can be commonly contracted while travelling. The flu vaccine protects against flu viruses expected to be prevalent during the current flu season. You should discuss this with your GP.

Avoiding Mosquito Bites

It is important to protect yourself from mosquito bites, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Precautionary measures include:

• Using a DEET-based insect repellent.
• Wear light coloured clothing. Research has shown that mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours. Light coloured clothing also has the advantage of keeping you cooler in the heat.
• Be sure to cover as much of your skin as possible. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, socks and shoes.
• Wear clothes made of tightly-woven fabric which mosquitoes are unable to penetrate. Wear loose-fitting clothing so that mosquitoes cannot bite through to your skin, ensuring the garments are not loose at sleeve and collar openings.
• Avoid wearing perfume or cologne as these are known to attract mosquitoes.

Gastro and Traveller’s Diarrhoea

Traveller’s diarrhoea is the second most common infectious illness affecting travellers. The illness can be due to a number of different bugs including viruses and bacteria. Viral gastroenteritis is generally spread by person-to-person contact, whereas bacterial gastroenteritis is generally spread from consuming contaminated food or water. Symptoms can include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. The incubation for the illness is variable depending on the cause. Symptoms are generally self-limiting, and treatment includes rest, rehydration, simple diet, anti-nausea and anti-diarrhoeal medications.

Antibiotics are generally reserved for use when symptoms are more severe or protracted, for example fever, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea or duration of symptoms for more than two days. Strict personal hygiene measures, particularly hand washing, helps protect you from getting sick and, of course, spreading the infection to others.

Sun Exposure and Dehydration

The weather will be variable on your tour and drinking wateris important to prevent dehydration. A hat and good sunscreen are important for preventing sunburn, even on overcast days.

Sea Sickness

As on any sea vessel, some marked motion may be anticipated in certain areas, dependent on weather and season. While most ships are fitted with stabilisers to reduce the roll, it is recommended that you bring anti-motion sickness medication or precautions just in case, even if you have never experienced motion sickness in the past. To minimise the effects of motion sickness, avoid alcohol, tobacco and confined spaces.

APT Health and Safety Protocol

APT has created a Health and Safety Protocol that all our Expedition Teams and Cruise Directors are required to adhere to. You may be requested to assist in reducing the spread of viruses if you are showing symptoms while on tour. If you are showing symptoms of a cold or a virus while on tour, you may be asked to wear a face mask, have meals in your cabin instead of the dining room, or remain in your cabin until the symptoms improve. Refer to our website for our most up-to-date protocols.