Luxury Small Ship Cruises
Our Destinations
Join us on board for the adventure of a lifetime.
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Australian Coast
Australia boasts more than 25,000 kilometers of spectacular coastline
Discover the still wild coast of Western Australia, the bucket list Rowley Shoals, the beautiful Sydney Harbour and surrounds, and the seafood rich waters of the Eyre Peninsula.
Get unparalleled access to one of the world's most admired shores on our adventure cruises.
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Kimberley Wilderness
Don’t just see the magnificent Kimberley Coast – Experience it!
The Kimberley region of North-Western Australia is a panorama of rugged mountains, spectacular gorges, and majestic waterfalls. The region attracts visitors from all over the world – but not everybody is fortunate enough to truly experience this ancient land. Purpose-built to go where bigger ships cannot, the stylish TRUE NORTH provides a level of access that is the envy of others. Experience the world’s most luxurious small ship cruises aboard TRUE NORTH and TRUE NORTH II.
Whilst others sail past – the TRUE NORTH can safely navigate the Kimberley’s many shallow bays and river systems providing our guests with intimate access to the region’s iconic natural features. And our activity-based itineraries include tactile experiences such as hiking, fishing, mud crabbing, picnics, natural history interpretation, seeing the ancient cultural rock art and exhilarating helicopter rides.
True North – setting the Kimberley benchmark for more than 35 years!
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Indonesia and West Papua
Experience remarkable culture, history, and nature aboard our small ship cruises
The Raja Ampats and nearby islands of the Indonesian Archipelago are a melting pot of culture, history and nature. The TRUE NORTH’s small ship expeditions offer unparalleled access to a region that is fast becoming one of the most talked-about destinations.
Meet traditional Indonesians on Banda Island and the Melanesian people of Gam and Waigeo. See the dragons on Komodo and swim with the whale sharks of Cenderawasih Bay. All whilst surrounded in comfort and style.
SEE WHAT OTHERS DON’T GET TO SEE!
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Papua New Guinea
The land of the unexpected
The TRUE NORTH first visited beautiful Papua New Guinea in 2005. Since then, we've continued to refine our itineraries to ensure that they're filled with only the best experiences.
No matter how many expeditions we go on, the highlight is always the overwhelming hospitality of those who are fortunate to call this untouched paradise home.
It's the ULTIMATE OPPORTUNITY FOR A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Cruise Ships
What are small ship cruises?
Small cruise ship offer a more intimate and personalised cruising experience with fewer passengers, allowing for more in-depth exploration of destinations.
How do small ship cruises differ from traditional cruises?
Unlike larger ships, small ship cruises often have a more relaxed atmosphere, offer unique itineraries, and allow closer access to ports and natural areas that larger cruises can't reach.
Can the ship really go where other ships cannot?
Many small ship operators claim that they can go where others cannot. However, in most instances the operator is comparing itself to much larger cruise ships. Whilst it is true that a ship built to carry 100 passengers will be able to come-in closer to an un-serviced coastline (when compared to a ship designed to carry 1000 passengers), that is often where the advantage ends. Only a true small ship can navigate shallow bays and wild rivers. The TRUE NORTH is not a repositioned asset – the ship is purpose-built and features an exceptionally shallow draft. No other ship in the same class currently offers the same level of access to our featured destinations.
Does the small ship mean it will be a small group?
Yes, it does.
It’s not until you experience a small ship cruise featuring 36 guests or less that you truly begin to appreciate the small group. On the True North guests choose their own adventure and pretty much everyone onboard goes in different directions doing different things… all day long! Having a small group offers many advantages, namely: a more intimate experience, higher quality service, and the ability to completely tailor your daily activities however you desire!
Is the small ship itinerary activity-based?
A distinct benefit of small ship cruising is being able to truly experience the destination via activity-based itineraries. However, ships catering for larger groups cannot easily offer destination specific activities. TRUE NORTH itineraries feature the opportunity to engage in tactile activities such as hiking, natural history appreciation, cultural interaction, fishing, snorkelling and SCUBA diving - all made possible with a smaller ship.
What amenities can I expect on a small ship cruise?
The TRUE NORTH is not your regular cruise ship. Our amenities rival those of a top-tier hotel.
Cabins come equipped with en suites, in-room entertainment, and free high-speed WiFi. Depending on your cabin choice, you'll have either large panoramic windows or portholes, and an amenities fridge. Communal spaces on the ship feature a sun deck, observation and ship lounges, an open-air bar, sports deck, and a dining area. Plus, we boast an onboard helicopter.
Can I get off small cruise ships?
A true small ship features the destination and, to adequately feature the destination guests need to be able to leave the ship often, without compromising their experience or comfort.
The TRUE NORTH carries 6 dedicated tenders and with a guest complement of just 36 – our adventure boats can go in different directions at the same time whilst accommodating not necessarily more than 6 guests per boat. And, we have deliberately chosen to operate 6 metre runabouts (in preference to rubber boats) to provide greater comfort, practicality and safety.
Our adventure boats feature ample seating and when they are not underway it is possible to stand-up and walk around. This is a definite advantage when engaging in activities such as fishing, snorkelling, diving and photography. Our adventure boats are also fully surveyed by the Australian marine authorities which means the wearing of life jackets is not required and, we also believe our adventure boats are a much safer option when operating in crocodile country.
And not forgetting that the TRUE NORTH also carries its own helicopter!
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