7 Night Coral Princess Great Barrier Reef Cruises

Let multi award-winning Coral Princess Cruises introduce to Australia's magnificent Great Barrier Reef. Coral Princess Cruises has over 25 years cruising experience and offers exclusive itineraries with a choice of 3, 4 and 7 Night Cruises of the Great Barrier Reef. See the very best of the Great Barrier Reef and tropical islands has to offer with this exclusive cruise holiday. Coral Princess Cruises has exclusive reef moorings that means you won't be surrounded by hundreds of other visitors on the reef. Coral Princess small ships accommodate a maximum of 50 guests ensuring an intimate and personalised cruising experience.

This 7 Night Great Barrier Reef Cruise departs from Cairns and travels to Townsville via Lizard Island and Dunk Island. This cruise also operates vice versa with departures from Townsville to Cairns. The Cairns departure travels northwards passed Palm Cove towards Cooktown then onwards to Lizard Island before cruising south with free time in Cairns. The cruise takes you to beautiful reefs teaming with fish life, opportunity for snorkeling or diving, glass bottom boats tours of the reef and talks with ship's very own Marine Biologist. Passengers have the chance to explore Dunk Island and visit Coral Princess Cruises own Pelorus Island for a beachside BBQ. All this before disembarking at Townsville. An unforgettable 7 nights on the Great Barrier Reef.

Coral Princess Cruises operates two different vessels on the Great Barrier Reef - Coral Princess operates six months of the year and Coral Princess II throughout the year. Passengers will not only experience the reef, rainforest and islands but can also relax on the sun deck, open-bridge or spa as your cruise takes through this beautiful tropical region

Itinerary

Day 1: Boarding at 4.00pm. Board your Coral Princess Cruises small ship for a 5.00pm departure from Cairns. Depart Cairns and cruise Trinity Bay, there is time to settle in and discover your "home" for the next 7 nights. In the evening, join the crew and travelling companions on the top deck to enjoy a glass of champagne as you 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: The morning is yours to discover historical Cooktown. It was here that the famous British 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 and 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 visit one of the remote uninhabited islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Join the onboard 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 your first snorkelling opportunity for an up-close view of the hundreds of varieties of coral growing on this section of reef. Experienced crew will be on hand to provide assistance, advice and guided snorkelling tours for less experienced swimmers.

Day 3: This morning awaken moored beside beautiful Lizard Island. The energetic may join our guides on a walk to "Cook's Look" on the island's peak. 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 metres 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 the Dive Instructor on an unforgettable SCUBA dive. The choice is yours! This afternoon cruise to Ribbon Reef No 9, a spectacular and seldom visited part of the reef where activities will include more snorkelling opportunities and glass bottom boat tours with the Marine Biologist.

Day 4: 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. The 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: This morning enjoy free time to discover tropical Cairns. Reboard your Coral Princess Cruises small ship for an 11:00am departure from Cairns. After a delicious lunch arrive at the outer Great Barrier Reef, anchoring off Thetford Reef and Sudbury Cay. Join the 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. Enjoy the opportunity to snorkel over the reef for an up-close view of the hundreds of varieties of coral growing on this section of reef. In the evening, join the 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 the 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 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 and 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. Join the crew 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 metres off the beach, offers some fantastic snorkelling opportunities. Admire the colourful corals from the glass bottom boat with the Marine Biologist, accompany the Dive Instructor on an unforgettable SCUBA dive or simply relax on the long stretch of golden sandy beach. This evening, relax with the crew and new-found friends on the top deck as you cruise through the spectacular Palm Islands before settling in for the final night cruising the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 8: This morning cross Halifax Bay, passing close to Magnetic Island before arriving in Townsville at 10.00am.

Accommodation

Coral Princess offers resort style cruising at its best. Passengers can select from four types of spacious and elegantly appointed accommodation.

All cabins feature: Air-conditioning Private ensuite bathroom Wardrobe Suitcase cupboard Speaker Large windows Desk Hairdryer 240 volt Power Point - Australian Plug Shaving outlet in bathroom

Cabin: Size is 10.5sqm. Bedding is either bunk beds or twin beds. Maximum room capacity is 2 adults.

Stateroom: Size is 14sqm. Bedding is either twin or double beds. Maximum room capacity is 3 adults.

Upper Deck Stateroom: Size is 14sqm. Bedding is either twin or double beds. Maximum room capacity is 2 adults.

Deluxe Stateroom: Size is 15sqm. Bedding is either twin or double beds. Maximum room capacity is 2 adults.

Deck plans for Coral Princess II [floorplan]

Dining

Throughout your Coral Princess adventure cruise you will savour three delicious, healthy meals per day as well as tempting morning and afternoon teas. Buffet style meals are served and a complimentary tea and coffee station is open 24 hours. A selection of Australian and New Zealand wines, beers and spirits are available at additional expense.

The galley will attempt to meet special dietary requirements, however a minimum of three weeks notice must be provided prior to departure to allow this service to be provided.

Departures

7 Night Cairns to Towsnville:
(CT7) Departs Cairns on Saturdays. Departs alternate Saturdays between 17March to 13October.

05Aug08 19Aug08 02Sep08 16Sep08 30Sep08 14Oct08 21Oct08 28Oct08 04Nov08 11Nov08 18Nov08 25Nov08 02Dec08 16Dec08 06Jan09 20Jan09 27Jan09 03Feb09 10Feb09 17Feb09 24Feb09 03Mar09 10Mar09 17Mar09 31Mar09 14Apr09 28Apr09 12May09 26May09 09Jun09 23Jun09 07Jul09 21Jul09 04Aug09 18Aug09 01Sep09 15Sep09 29Sep09 13Oct09 20Oct09 27Oct09 03Nov09 10Nov09 17Nov09 24Nov09 01Dec09 08Dec09 22Dec09 29Dec09 12Jan10 19Jan10 26Jan10 02Feb10 09Feb10 16Feb10 23Feb10 02Mar10 09Mar10 16Mar10 23Mar10 30Mar10

7 Night Townsville to Cairns :
(TC7) Departs Townsville on Tuesdays. Departs alternate Tuesdays between 24March to 06October.

29Jul08 12Aug08 26Aug08 09Sep08 23Sep08 07Oct08 14Oct08 21Oct08 28Oct08 04Nov08 11Nov08 18Nov08 25Nov08 09Dec08 13Jan09 20Jan09 27Jan09 03Feb09 10Feb09 17Feb09 24Feb09 03Mar09 10Mar09 17Mar09 24Mar09 07Apr09 21Apr09 05May09 19May09 02Jun09 16Jun09 30Jun09 14Jul09 28Jul09 11Aug09 25Aug09 08Sep09 22Sep09 16Oct09 13Oct09 20Oct09 27Oct09 03Nov09 10Nov09 17Nov09 24Nov09 01Dec09 08Dec09 15Dec09 29Dec09 05Jan10 12Jan10 19Jan10 26Jan10 02Feb10 09Feb10 16Feb10 23Feb10 02Mar10 09Mar10 16Mar10 23Mar10

Vessel Details

Coral Princess Cruises operates two vessels in the Great Barrier Reef region, the Coral Princess and the Coral Princess II. Coral Princess was commissioned in July 1988, it is based on the Barrier Reef for 6 months of the years and then undertakes cruise itineraries in The Kimberley region. Coral Princess Cruises expedition cruise program became so popular the Coral Princess II was brought into service in early 1996. The Coral Princess II operates on the Great Barrier Reef throughout the year.

Coral Princess II: Length 35 metres Beam 12 metres Speed 12 knots Draught 2.5 metres Tonnes 884 Cabins 24 Passengers 46 Crew 12

Coral Princess: Length 35 metres Beam 13 metres Speed 13 knots Draught 2.5 metres Tonnes 730 Cabins 27 Passengers 50 Crew 12

Facilities

Air-conditioned dining room Two modern air-conditioned lounges Sundeck and Spa Pool Pool towels 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

Inclusions

All meals, morning and afternoon teas Tea and coffee 24 hours a day Use of snorkeling equipment, masks and fins Guided glass bottom boat coral viewing and snorkeling excursions Presentations by Marine Biologists Access to islands, marine and national parks Use of comprehensive range of library and video resources An introductory scuba experience for first time divers

Additional Information

Children: 0-3 years are Free of Charge, Children aged 4-14 years are charged child rate, Passengers 15 years and over are charged the adult rate
Exclusions: Pre and Post flights and transfers, personal items such as telephone, facsimile charges, laundry, bar charges and travel insurance
Environmental Management Charge (EMC): is additional and payable on board
Cancellation fees: and conditions apply for cruises cancelled inside 60 days of travel