3 Night Coral Princess Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Coral Princess Cruises operates a choice of 3, 4 or 7 day Great Barrier Reef Cruises. Small ship cruising is what Coral Princess does best - discover a paradise of uninhabited islands, remote and unique coral cays. Coral Princess provides not only a cruise holiday but an expedition cruise to the tropical wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

The 3 Night Cruise travels from Townsville to Cairns (and alternatively Cairns to Townsville) cruising amongst Palm Group of Islands, Hinchinbrook Channel and visit Dunk Island Resort.

Passengers can go snorkeling and coral viewing with a full day to discover Nathan Reef. Coral Princess also has its own exclusive destination called Pelorus Island. Here you can linger over the platform reefs and abundant marine life.

Coral Princess Cruises has exclusive reef moorings which mean you won't be surrounded by hundreds of other reef visitors. Coral Princess vessels accommodate approximately 50 guests ensuring a personal and intimate cruising experience.

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.

This cruise is no longer available from 31 May 2012.

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.

Dining

Provided in your cruise cost are three meals per day as well as morning and afternoon teas. Tea and coffee station is open 24 hours. All meals provided onboard are buffet style. The galley will meet any special dietary requirements, however two weeks notice must be given.

Itinerary

Day 1: Boarding at 12.30pm. Board your Coral Princess Cruises small ship at Breakwater Terminal for a 1.00pm departure. Departing Townsville, cross Halifax Bay, passing close to Magnetic Island before cruising amongst the spectacular Palm Group of Islands. There is time to settle in and discover your "home" for the next three nights. In the evening, join the crew and your travelling companions on the top deck as the sun spectacularly sets over the reef.

Day 2: This morning, awaken moored beside Coral Princess Cruises very own tropical island, Pelorus. Join everyone on the beach for a delicious beach BBQ, freshly prepared by the Captain. After breakfast, 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, allowing you to enjoy an up-close view of the colourful coral growing on this section of reef. The experienced crew will be on hand to provide assistance, advice and guided snorkelling tours for less experienced swimmers. Admire the many varieties of 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, the choice is yours! Cruising northward, discover the towering island cliffs and mangroves of the Hinchinbrook Channel and the Family Group of Islands. This afternoon visit Dunk Island Resort where there is time to relax by the resorts pool, enjoy a drink in the cocktail bar or join a guided rainforest walk discovering the islands unique flora and fauna. You 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 one of many species of native birds recorded on the island, including the Yellow-bellied Sunbird, Emerald Dove or Orange-footed Scrubfowl.

Day 3: Enjoy a full day to discover Nathan Reef. This section of the reef offers some of the most colourful coral gardens found anywhere along the length of the reef, allowing you 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 the 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 evening, relax with the crew and new-found friends on the top deck as you enjoy the final night cruising the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 4: Anchoring off Thetford Reef and Sudbury Cay you enjoy the final opportunity to snorkel over the reef. 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. Early this afternoon, cruise through Trinity Bay before arriving in tropical Cairns at 1.30pm for disembarkation at Trinity Wharf.

This itinerary is available in reverse - Cairns to Townsville.

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

Vessel Details

Coral Princess Cruises operates two vessels in the Great Barrier Reef region, the Coral Princess and the Coral Princess II.

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

Departures

3 Night Cairns to Townsville (CT3): Departs Cairns Saturday at 11.00am.

Cairns to Townsville: 14Apr12, 28Apr11, 12May12, 26May12

3 Night Townsville to Cairns (TC3): Departs Townsville Tuesday at 1.00pm.

Townsville to Cairns: 17Apr12, 01May12, 15May12, 29May12

Additional Information

Children: 0-3 years are free of charge
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
Operated By: Coral Princess Cruises