Why our guests travel with us again and again: The True North difference
Published on 08 Dec 2025
A lot of people who come on board end up coming back. Not because they missed something the first time, but because the whole thing just sticks with you.
One trip might take you deep into the Kimberley, winding through river systems with nobody else around. The next, you’re flying over reef-fringed islands or landing beside a waterfall for lunch.
The places change, the people do too, but something about the experience always hits the same. It gets under your skin in the best kind of way. And once you’ve had a taste, you’ll want to know what else is out there.
Not your average cruise
A luxury cruise with True North isn’t the kind where you spend your days shuffling to the buffet or waiting for the next stop with a few hundred other passengers.
It’s quite the opposite. There’s no waiting around, no fixed routine, and no herd to follow. The ship’s shallow draft lets us move through tight river systems and remote coastlines that bigger boats can’t get near.
Most mornings, you’re off the boat early, heading up creeks, dropping a line, or exploring rock art that’s been sitting quietly for tens of thousands of years. By afternoon, you might be diving off a reef, cruising with dolphins, or flying up a gorge.
No two days feel the same, which is what keeps it exciting.
The helicopter changes everything
The helicopter is permanently on board. And it’s not brought in for specific excursions. It’s part of the experience and is available throughout the entire trip.
Having it ready means we can reach places that would otherwise be completely out of reach. Depending on the day and the conditions, it might be used for:
- Landing beside remote waterfalls for a swim
- Accessing heli-fishing spots deep inland
- Viewing ancient rock art from the air
- Setting up heli-picnics in secluded locations
- Quick transfers to hiking trails and lookout points
It adds a layer of access and freedom that’s hard to match. With no crowds and no time wasted, it just gives you more ways to explore the region properly.
Small groups, big connections
On True North, there’s space for 36 guests. On True North II, it’s just 20.
Smaller numbers mean the pace is easier and the whole trip feels more personal. You’re not waiting in line or following a guide with a flag. You’ve got room to breathe, and the crew has time to do things properly. By day two, they’ve already figured out how you take your coffee and where you’d rather be, whether that’s on the water, up a gorge, or just quietly taking it all in.
You also start to notice the same thing with other guests. Familiar faces become familiar stories. You end up swapping photos, making plans, and sometimes even booking the next trip together.
World-class service, wild backdrops
Everything on board is well considered and run with care. That includes the cabins, the meals, and how the whole experience flows day-to-day.
Cabins are comfortable and well thought out, giving you the space to rest and reset between days that are often full and active. Meals are prepared by experienced chefs, built around fresh local ingredients, and matched to the pace of the trip. It’s modern Australian done properly with nothing over the top, just consistently good food that’s served at the right time.
The crew knows when to step in and when to step back. Service is smooth and steady without drawing attention to itself. It all works together so you can focus on the place you’re in, not the details behind the scenes.
Ever-changing destinations
Each trip is shaped by the season, the conditions, and what’s worth seeing at the time. That’s why no two are ever the same.
In the Kimberley, you’ll see cliffs that rise straight out of the sea, rivers full of crocs, and thundering waterfalls tucked deep in the landscape.. In Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, it’s a mix of remote coastlines, island villages, and culture that runs deep. The Coral Sea offers reef diving, glassy water, and stretches of coastline that feel completely off the radar. Along the South Australian coast, it’s wildlife, raw beaches, and big, open landscapes.
Some guests return to the same region more than once. Others pick a new one each time. Either way, it never feels like you’re retracing steps. And while there’s an itinerary, it’s flexible in nature. If something unexpected and worthwhile shows up (such as a whale sighting, a perfect waterfall, or a fishing spot that’s firing), we make room for it. In fact, we’re constantly tweaking our itineraries and creating brand-new ones each year, so even familiar destinations always have something fresh to discover.
See where True North can take you
There’s a reason so many of our guests return time and again – it’s the connections they make with our crew, the heart and soul of every voyage. Their warmth, expertise, and genuine care turn every journey into something unforgettable. Add to that the unmatched access our onboard helicopter provides – to places few ever see – and it’s easy to understand why we say, life’s different after True North.
If you’re considering luxury small ship cruises, take a look at our upcoming itineraries. You’ll find new destinations, fresh experiences, and plenty of reasons to return.
