I’m Jenny Flower and I have specialised in booking Kimberley cruises for over fifteen years. My team and I at Expedition Partners spend all our working day talking about Kimberley cruises. We know the vessels, their owners, their cabins and their itineraries. And, of course we know the prices for all the ships; sometimes just off the top of our heads. So on occasions we forget that people are just beginning their research into this magnificent destination and really just need a quick ballpark guide to the prices.
Jenny Flower
How much is a Kimberley cruise?
It is not a simple question unfortunately (I know you were probably expecting me to say that!). We work with over a dozen vessels operated by different companies with varying passenger numbers, numerous itineraries and of course different cabin types. And at least one operator is now dividing the Kimberley cruise season into two – high season (May, June and July) and low season (March, April, September).
So then; “how much is a Kimberley cruise?”
It is not a simple question unfortunately (I know you were probably expecting me to say that!). We work with over a dozen vessels operated by different companies with varying passenger numbers, numerous itineraries and of course different cabin types. And at least one operator is now dividing the Kimberley cruise season into two – high season (May, June and July) and low season (March, April, September). So the answer to ‘how much is a Kimberley cruise’ is dependent on a huge number of variable factors. The following is my attempt at a really general guide to the costs of a Kimberley cruise:
To start with, let’s address the elephant in the room; this is not a cheap destination! The prices for Kimberley cruises are not for the faint hearted. The reason why is the subject of a different blog which you can find here.
Big vessel versus smaller vessel
All the vessels we work with our small ships by any standard. We don’t book the huge cruise ships that can only look at the Kimberley coast from sea. Our interest is in immersive, genuine expedition travel where you leave the vessel twice a day to experience the Kimberley; literally get your feet wet.
Our ships range in size from 12 passengers to around 180. The most popular ships carry between 40 and 120 expedition passenger (my emphasis there).
A simple rule of thumb is the smaller the vessel (in terms of passengers) the more expensive the trip. It is simple economics that a Kimberley cruise on a vessel with 12, 20 or 30 passengers is going to be more expensive to operate (on a per person basis) than a ship with more than 100 passengers.
Note there are very significant differences between the different ship types and each has a specific appeal . Please read my free guide to Kimberley cruises for information on that or book a call and we can have an informal chat about the differences.
Cabin type
Naturally this is a big factor in the price. There can be quite a variation in price for the same cruise based on your accommodation but don’t forget that these are expedition cruises. There are very few ‘days at sea’ on these itineraries. On the contrary, the emphasis is about getting off the boat and seeing all that the Kimberley has to offer. You will want your cabin to be comfortable and most people want their own bathroom and a good size window. But you are not spending lots of time in your cabin.
En-suite bathrooms
With one exception, all our vessels have cabins with en suite bathrooms. The one exception is Odyssey Expeditions. We are big fans of Odyssey and would be happy to have a chat about the experience of cruising the Kimberley coast on that vessel but we find most travellers prefer their own bathroom.
Balconies
More and more we are being asked for cabins with balconies. Until a few years ago it was very unusual to have balconies available for Kimberley cruises but this is becoming more of a feature. The international ships usually have the best deal on balcony cabins but even some of the smaller, Australian registered vessels
Note that the smallest vessel that offers balcony cabins for expedition cruising along the Kimberley coast is the 72 passenger Coral Discoverer followed by its sister ships the Coral Geographer and Coral Adventurer which both take 120 passengers.
The larger international ships tend to have balconies priced lower than this but beware their dynamic pricing – see below. Cabins with balconies can start at $11,500 pp on these ships.
International vessels versus domestic vessels
Again this is covered in one of my previous blogs but the international vessels have a significant price advantage over the local vessels. I still prefer the Australian registered ships.
Dynamic pricing
This tends to be the preserve of the international ships who have a frustrating habit of constantly changing prices on all their departures. Those departures with higher demand go up in price.
Booking early is the number one way to get a good deal on a Kimberley cruise.
High season and shoulder season
Currently only one operator, Coral Expeditions, has its pricing formally divided into high season (May-September) and shoulder season (March & April) but others may follow.
May and June are extremely popular months for Kimberley cruises; by then the humidity should be good and there will be plenty of water to make those waterfalls spectacular! If these are the months that you wish to sail then you need to book quickly.
Singles
Most single travelers know that it can be hard to secure a good deal on a cruise. I have written a blog on the best options for single travelers after a Kimberley cruise.
So ‘how much is a Kimberley cruise?’ Well it depends on the factors above. As I said at the start of this article, the majority of my clients pay between $15000 and $20000 per person for genuine expedition cruises but for people booking ahead of time (and I mean for 2026 and 2027 now) there is still a reasonable supply of options between $12,000 and $15,000 especially if you are flexible.
What to do next
If you’d like more information, either researching on your own or by talking to a person who has been to the Kimberley and can give you first hand advice, here are four options:
Download your FREE copy of "Ultimate Guide to Kimberley Cruising”
Includes the top nine questions travellers ask and our honest answers to them, plus a pre-trip checklist.
It’s the perfect starting point for initial research.
Talk to the team
Kimberley cruises are not one size fits all — there are many different ships each offering their own special elements.
We would love to help you. You’re invited to book a FREE 30-Minute Kimberley Cruise Planning Session to have all you questions answered, without the “hard sell” everyone hates.
Research the latest specials that include free flights and free accommodation
With almost twenty years of experience in booking Kimberley cruises we have great relationships with many of the most popular cruise vessels. Why does that matter to you?
It means we have been able to negotiate some great free inclusions with several of the best cruise vessels including free flights, free tours, and free accommodation in Darwin or Broome.
Dig even deeper via our blog. Here are a few of the most popular posts:
What travellers say
“Their product knowledge is amazing”
“The cruise suited us perfectly”
“Interesting and diverse travel experiences”
About Jenny Flower
I’m an expert in small ship cruising in the Kimberley and have completed four cruises on different vessels along this spectacular coastline. Cruises in the Kimberley are not one size fits all. There are different ships and itineraries, each offering their own special elements.
If you would like to have a chat with me about Kimberley cruising at a time that suits you book in a call.
You might also enjoy
Blog
Travelogue: Sailing the Kimberley with Danielle, our Expedition Partner
I was buzzing with excitement for my very first small…
Blog
Kununurra – Gateway to the East Kimberley
I am are often asked if there is anything more…
Blog
The top seven activities on a Kimberley cruise
Recently I wrote a blog setting out my 7 top…