8 Day Cairns, Lizard Island & Townsville Cruise

Summary

"Become a lazy beachcomber or an inquisitive adventurer on your 7 night island-hopping voyage of discovery."

Itinerary

Coral Princess Information

An incredible underwater world will be revealed to you at our numerous exclusive reef sites. Our informative crew will always be on hand to provide assistance and information about the fascinating reef life and habitat. Join our Marine Biologist aboard the glass bottom boat or go snorkelling amongst the brilliant corals and teeming marine life on the fringing reefs of Lizard Island and our exclusive Pelorus Island.. Our experienced Dive Instructor will also be there to offer you the exhilarating experience of scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Make use of the resort facilties at Dunk Island or simply enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of these wonderful tropical islands and coastline.

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

4:00pm: Board your Cruise ship for a 5:00pm departure from Cairns. As we depart Cairns and cruise Trinity Bay, there is time to settle in and discover your 'home' for the next four nights. In the evening, join our crew and travelling companions on the top deck to enjoy a glass of champagne as we cruise northward, passing Double Island and the pretty beachside village of Palm Cove. Admire a spectacular sunset over the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Macalister Range.

Day 2

We have the morning to discover historical Cooktown. It was here that the famous explorer Captain James Cook took refuge during his voyage of discovery after claiming Australia as a British colony in 1770. You have the option to visit Cooktown's fascinating historical museum, featuring original artefacts from Cook's ship – Endeavour. See the original anchor and cannon, jettisoned overboard after Endeavour struck a reef and began taking on water. Cooktown is steeped in history with most stone buildings dating back almost a century. Enjoy time to discover Cooktown at your own pace. Perhaps visit the Botanic Gardens, where you may catch a glimpse of some native Australian wildlife including Kangaroos and Wallabies. This afternoon we visit one of the remote uninhabited islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Join our marine biologist for a glass bottom boat tour over the colourful coral gardens and discover some of the 1500 species of tropical fish that call the reef home. You may wish to enjoy our first snorkelling opportunity for an up-close view of the hundreds of varieties of coral growing on this section of reef. Our experienced crew will be on hand to provide assistance, advice and guided snorkelling tours for less experienced swimmers.

Day 3

This morning we awaken moored beside beautiful Lizard Island. The energetic may join our guides on a walk to 'Cook's Look' on the island's peak (hiking shoes or boots are recommended). It was from here, the highest lookout on this part of the reef, that Captain Cook was able to navigate a safe passage back through the treacherous waters after repairing the Endeavour near Cooktown over 200 years ago. A photographer's delight, the views from the lookout over the World Heritage-listed reef and surrounding tropical islands are magnificent. Lizard Island's fringing reef, in the shallow waters just meters off the beach, offers some fantastic snorkelling opportunities. Discover giant clams and a profusion of fish. Simply relax on the beach, join the Marine Biologist for a glass bottom boat tour, or for the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience, accompany our Dive Instructor on an unforgettable SCUBA dive. The choice is yours! This afternoon we cruise to Ribbon Reef No 9, a spectacular and seldom visited part of the reef where our activities will include more snorkelling opportunities and glass bottom boat tours with the Marine Biologist.

Day 4

The Great Barrier Reef is not actually one continuous reef, but a series of thousands of individual coral cays stretching over 1800 miles between the town of Bundaberg and the tip of Australia at Cape York. We spend today visiting two of the most spectacular sections of the reef, Ribbon Reef No 3 and Rachel Carson Reef. Explore the coral gardens and marine life with guided snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours. Our Marine Biologist will explain the natural history and evolution of the reef and help you discover the local wildlife, which includes sea turtles, giant clams, rays and over 200 different species of native birds.

Day 5

Enjoy the morning to discover Cairns at your leisure before returning to your vessel at 10:30am for an 11:00am departure. This afternoon we arrive at the outer Great Barrier Reef, anchoring off Thetford Reef and Sudbury Cay. Join our Marine Biologist for a glass bottom boat tour over the colourful coral gardens before gathering on the snorkel deck to participate in a fish feed. Discover some of the 1500 species of tropical fish that call the reef home, including Spangled Emperor, Giant Trevally and the Hump-Headed Maori Wrasse as they are hand fed by the Marine Biologist. In the evening, join our crew and travelling companions on the top deck as the sun spectacularly sets over the reef.

Day 6

This morning we enjoy ample time to discover Coates or Nathan Reef. This section of the reef offers some of the most colourful coral gardens found anywhere along the length of the reef, allowing us to view many of the 400 different species of coral living in this World Heritage-listed wonderland. Venture in to the warm tropical waters to explore the corals and marine life on a guided snorkelling tour and join the Marine Biologist for a glass bottom boat tour. For the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience, accompany our Dive Instructor on an unforgettable SCUBA dive. Later, discover some of the amazing creatures living on the reef with our Marine Biologist at the on-board display tank. Enjoy the rare opportunity for a close up look at sea cucumbers, colourful starfish and other marine life living on this part of the reef. This afternoon we visit Dunk Island Resort where there is time to relax by the resort's pool, enjoy a drink in the cocktail bar or join a guided rainforest walk discovering the island's unique flora and fauna. We may be lucky enough to see the brightly coloured blue-winged Ulysses Butterfly, impossible to miss against the ancient rainforest background. Keen birdwatchers should keep an eye out for many of the up to 100 species of native birds recorded on the island, including the Yellow-bellied Sunbird, Emerald Dove or Orange-footed Scrubfowl.

Day 7

Enjoy a delicious breakfast as we cruise further amongst the scenic Family Group of Islands, the only tropical islands on the Australian coast. Discover the towering island cliffs and mangroves of the Hinchinbrook Channel before arriving at Coral Princess Cruises' very own tropical island, Pelorus. We invite you to join us on the beach for a delicious beach BBQ, freshly prepared by the Captain. After lunch, explore the surrounding rainforest on a guided nature walk. Pelorus' fringing reef, in the shallow waters just meters off the beach, offers some fantastic snorkelling opportunities. Admire the colourful corals from the glass bottom boat with the Marine Biologist, accompany our Dive Instructor on an unforgettable SCUBA dive or simply relax on the long stretch of golden sandy beach, the choice is yours! This evening, relax with our crew and new-found friends on the top deck as we cruise through the spectacular Palm Islands before settling in for our final night cruising the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 8

This morning we cross Halifax Bay, passing close to Magnetic Island before arriving in Townsville at 10:00am. 

Onboard Accommodation

Resort style living at its best. Select from four types of accommodation - all spacious and elegantly appointed. The discerning traveller has a choice of Standard, Deluxe, Upper Deck Staterooms, while the more budget conscious may select a Cabin. A number of Staterooms have extra divans or Pullman berths, and others have connecting doors. All accommodation is spacious and air-conditioned with private ensuites and the choice of single or double beds. All rooms are serviced daily.

Onboard Facilities

Onboard amenities include what you would expect of a much larger cruise ship:

• Air-conditioned dining room
• Two modern air-conditioned lounges
• Sundeck and Spa Pool
• Comprehensive reference library featuring videos and books on the reef, islands and outback
• Phone and fax facilities
• Security Safe
• Fully stocked cocktail bar
• Comprehensive dive shop
• A range of souvenirs and personal items is available for purchase

Dining

All meals during the cruise are included. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are usually served the Dining Room located on the Main Deck and are buffet-style. Coffee and tea is available 24 hours. Standard hours are breakfast from 7:00-8:30am, lunch at 12:30pm and dinner at 7:30pm however meal times may vary according to the day's activities. Meal times will be advised in the onboard daily bulletins.

Excursion Boats and Zodiacs

The 'Explorer' is a specially designed aluminium excursion vessel used for the majority of our excursions. This vessel has high horsepower engines and will accommodate all passengers at one time. The 'Explorer' will be used for landings and for extensive exploration of rivers and tributaries. For your added convenience and comfort, the 'Explorer' is equipped with an awning and toilet.

We also carry two inflatable landing craft (Zodiacs). Designed for expedition work, these large and heavy-duty infla tables are extremely safe. Separate air compartments retain a large reserve of buoyancy even if the boats damaged. The flat bottom design permits these crafts to land directly onto the beaches. Expect nonetheless to wade through shallow water to reach the shore

Questions

What facilities do the cabins and staterooms provide?
All rooms are air conditioned, and equipped with ensuite, wardrobe, suitcase cupboard, speaker, large windows (some cabin categories have port holes), desk and hairdryer. Power points onboard are 240 volt for Australian plugs. There is a shaving outlet in each bathroom. All rooms are serviced daily.

Can we fit three adults into a cabin?
Cabins will only accommodate two adults maximum. Cabins are twin bedded or bunk bedded only. However, a child can be accommodated on a Pullman Bunk or Divan in a Stateroom only.

Can we push two twin beds together to make a double?
Beds are fixed. If a double bed is required please ensure that you book a Stateroom, Upper-Deck Stateroom or Deluxe Stateroom when making your reservation.

What size is the bed in a double stateroom?
Cabins feature a choice of twin beds or double beds.

Do we need to bring our own snorkelling or dive equipment?
If you wish, you may bring your own equipment with you, however included in the cost of your cruise is the use of full snorkelling and dive equipment. Please remember if you are a certified diver to bring your certification card and logbook with you. Snorkelling is free of charge. An introductory SCUBA experience is complimentary for first time divers. Additional expense is associated with SCUBA Diving.

Do we need to pre book activities or dives prior to boarding?
All activities while on your cruise can be arranged on board for your convenience.

Terms & Conditions

Reservations: To make a reservation you have to pay a deposit of 10% of the fare. The balance of the fare is due sixty (60) days prior to departure. 

Cancellation and Refund Policy: Notification of cancellation must be received in writing. At the time we receive your cancellation the following penalties will apply:

• Up to 60 days prior to departure - forfeit your deposit of 10% of the fare.
• 30 to 59 days prior to departure - forfeit 50% of the fare.
• 1 to 29 days prior to departure - forfeit 100% of the fare.

A $200.00 per person fee may be charged for any amendments not requiring a date change after booking is confirmed.

Share Policy: Accommodation on the Ship is based on twin share occupancy. If you are travelling alone and wish to share accommodation, a room mate will be assigned to your cabin whenever possible. When pairing room mates we always pair participants of the same sex.

Passenger Health and Responsibility: The passenger admits a full understanding of the nature and character of the Ship and the scope of the activities contemplated by the passenger during the Cruise (including those relating to off Ship activities such as excursions in the Ship's tenders, snorkelling and diving) and assures and undertakes to the carrier:

• that they are in good health and well able to undertake the Cruise and the contemplated activities;
• that they will effect travel insurance sufficient to cover any limitation of liability against them imposed by these Cruise Ticket Conditions should they wish to do so.
• that they accept the risk that they may suffer from sea sickness.
• that they have disclosed any physical or mental disability requiring special attention (including the use of a wheelchair) or treatment at the time when the reservation for the Cruise was made.
• that the passenger accepts that a medical certificate certifying fitness for travel may be required at the carrier's request and if any passenger has had surgery less than three (3) months prior to Sailing that passenger must submit a letter from a qualified physician stating that he or she is fit to travel and the carrier reserves the right to deny passage if a passenger requires care and attention which the carrier cannot adequately provide and this decision may be made by the carrier in its sole discretion.
• The carrier reserves the right to refuse or deny participation in activities or programmes either aBoard the Ship or off Ship which are sponsored or promoted by the carrier to any passenger who has a past or present medical condition that may present risks if the passenger participates in those activities and any decision in this respect may be made by the carrier in its sole discretion.
• Any charges incurred by passengers for medical reasons including but not limited to physicians, surgeons, hospitals, off Ship accommodation, medication, diagnostic facilities, air ambulance evacuation or ground ambulance shall be the sole responsibility of the passenger.
• for the safety and comfort of passengers smoking is not permitted in the Ship except on open deck spaces outside all air-conditioned and sealed areas of the Ship.
• and the passenger agrees to indemnify the carrier from and against all claims, costs, charges, fines or penalties arising as a result of any claim made against the carrier in this respect.

Further Information

What's Included

Accommodation in spacious Air-conditioned Staterooms serviced daily, All meals, morning and afternoon teas, Post mixed soft drinks on board, 24 hour tea/coffee station, Services of expedition staff and guest lecturers including: Slideshow and film presentations, Lectures and briefings, Guided expedition touring and walks, Use of comprehensive resource library and video resources, Use of snorkeling equipment including masks and snorkels .

Not Included

Pre and post flights and transfers, personal charges such as telephone, facsimile charges, laundry, bar charges, travel insurance. .

Airfare Note

Add $130 per person to the published fare, to cover cost of air ticket Townsville to Cairns,If required..