How much is a Kimberley Cruise?

There’s no point pretending otherwise. A genuine small ship expedition along the Kimberley coast is a significant investment.

These ships operate in one of the most remote parts of Australia. They carry expedition teams, tenders and equipment, and they’re designed to get you off the ship and exploring rather than simply sailing past the coastline. On a typical Kimberley expedition, you’ll be leaving the ship once or twice a day to explore by tender, walk to waterfalls, see ancient rock art and experience places that simply aren’t accessible by road.

That’s what you’re really coming to the Kimberley for.

But even within genuine expedition cruising, prices vary enormously.

Here are some of the reasons why.

We work with ships carrying anywhere from a small handful of passengers through to around 200.

And ship size can have a significant effect on price.

As a general rule, the fewer passengers onboard, the higher the cost per person is likely to be.

That’s simply economics.

A vessel carrying 20 or 30 passengers has to spread its operating costs across far fewer people than a vessel carrying 100 or more.

But smaller doesn’t automatically mean better.

Some Travellers love the intimacy of a very small ship. Others prefer a little more space, more facilities and the stability of a larger expedition vessel.

The important thing is finding the size and style that suits you.

This can make an enormous difference.

Two people can be travelling on exactly the same ship, on exactly the same departure, experiencing exactly the same Kimberley — and have paid very different prices.

The difference may simply be their cabin. Cabin size, location, windows, deck and, increasingly, balconies can all affect the fare.

One thing I often remind people is that this is an expedition cruise. You’re not coming to the Kimberley to spend all day in your cabin. You’ll generally be off the ship exploring once or twice a day, so think carefully about what’s genuinely important to you.

Do you need a large balcony? Would you prefer to spend more for a bigger cabin? Or would you rather choose a comfortable cabin with a good window and put the saving towards something else?

There isn’t a right answer.

This one comes up all the time.

“Can I have a balcony?”

The answer is yes — on some ships. Balconies have become much more common on Kimberley expedition vessels, particularly on some of the larger ships.

But you’ll generally pay more for one.

For some people, sitting on their private balcony with a cup of tea or glass of wine while the Kimberley passes by is an important part of the experience. For others, it’s simply not worth paying thousands of dollars extra for something they may not use very often.

Again, it comes back to what matters to you.

This is another area where prices can vary considerably.

The Kimberley now attracts both Australian-operated expedition vessels and larger international expedition ships.

The international ships can sometimes offer very competitive pricing because of their size, operating model and the way they price their cabins.

Personally, there are Australian ships that I particularly like for the Kimberley — but that doesn’t mean they’re automatically the right choice for everyone.

There are excellent reasons someone may choose an international vessel instead.

This is where comparing the actual experience rather than simply comparing the price becomes important.

This is a big one. Don’t compare Kimberley cruises based on the headline fare alone. Look at what you’re actually getting. Depending on the ship, your fare may include things such as:

• drinks
• excursions
• transfers
• pre- or post-cruise accommodation
• special dining
• Wi-Fi
• gratuities
• helicopter experiences or scenic flights

Something that looks considerably more expensive at first glance may include things you’d otherwise be paying for separately.

And sometimes the opposite is true. Always compare like with like.

For some Travellers, flying over the Kimberley by helicopter is one of the absolute highlights of the trip.

For others, it isn’t important at all.

Some ships have helicopters onboard or offer helicopter experiences as part of their Kimberley program. Others don’t.

And where helicopter experiences are available, what’s included — and what costs extra — can vary considerably.

If helicopters are high on your wish list, tell us.

If you have absolutely no intention of getting into one, tell us that too!

There’s little point paying a premium for features you’re not going to use.

You’re going to eat very well on most Kimberley cruises.

But there are differences.

Some vessels place considerably more emphasis on fine dining, premium wines, multiple dining venues and a higher level of onboard service.

Others are more relaxed and expedition-focused.

Neither approach is necessarily better.

I’ve had clients who absolutely love getting dressed for dinner and enjoying a beautiful meal and bottle of wine at the end of the day.

I’ve had others who would happily eat a sandwich as long as you get them back out looking for crocodiles the next morning!

Know which Traveller you are.

The time of year can affect the price too.

The Kimberley cruise season generally runs from around March through to September, and some operators now price different parts of the season differently.

March and April can offer some excellent value and have the advantage of being closer to the wet season, when there can be enormous amounts of water coming over the falls.

May and June are particularly popular and often book well in advance.

Later in the season brings its own advantages.

There isn’t necessarily one single best month to cruise the Kimberley. It depends on what you most want to experience.

This is becoming increasingly important.

Some operators — particularly international cruise lines — use dynamic pricing.

In simple terms:

As a departure fills, the price can go up.

A cabin you look at today may not necessarily be the same price in three months’ time.

It’s one of the reasons we generally recommend booking early once you’ve found the right cruise.

Not because we want to rush you into making a decision — but because the best cabins, dates and fares don’t always hang around.

Solo pricing deserves a conversation of its own.

Some ships are much more solo-friendly than others, and the dreaded single supplement can make a huge difference to the overall price.

There are also departures and operators that periodically offer reduced or no single supplements.

So if you’re travelling on your own, don’t assume you simply have to pay double.

Talk to us before you rule anything in or out.

No. Not necessarily.

And this is probably the most important thing I can tell you. I’ve been booking Kimberley cruises for more than 15 years and I don’t believe the most expensive ship is automatically the best ship. Nor do I believe the cheapest cruise is necessarily the best value.

The right Kimberley cruise is the one that gives you the experience you’re looking for.

If a private balcony is important to you, pay for the balcony. If you want a tiny ship with very few fellow passengers, expect to pay more for that experience. If food and wine are a big part of your holidays, take that into account.

And if your priority is simply to get off the ship, get your feet wet and see as much of the Kimberley as possible, tell us that.

As a broad starting point, most of our clients spend between $15,000 and $20,000 per person for their Kimberley cruise.

There are less expensive options, and there are ships and cabin categories where you can spend considerably more than $30,000 per person.

The trick isn’t deciding how much you can spend.

It’s understanding what you’re getting for the extra money and whether those things matter to you.

That’s when comparing Kimberley cruises becomes much easier.