Great Barrier Reef

[forever$B123]

We have booked a 28 day Princess cruise around Australia in March 2018. I took a P&O cruise to Australia some 40 years ago and I thought we cruised by the Great Barrier Reef close enough to view the Reef. However, I know much has changed in 40 years.

 

If you have recently taken one of these Princess (around Australia) cruises, can you please answer our questions?

 

On the cruise we go from Alotau (Papua New Guinea) to Cairns Australia) to Brisbane, and it appears that we cruise past the Reef. However, do you know if we get close enough to see the Reef?

 

Princess offers an excursion to the reef, but my wife is not sure if she can handle (sea sickness on small boats) the 2 hour catamaran trip to the reef. Also, on other cruises from that stop in Airlie or Port Douglas (our cruise does not stop in those ports) the excursions indicate an underwater observatory and/or a semi-submersible boat (the excursion from Cairns does not). As my wife is not a good swimmer, she is concerned that all there is snorkeling and she might be confined to the catamaran. Can anyone provide some information on the Princess excursion from Cairns?

 

Also, Princess has several excursions on a Skyrail or Railway that indicate you will have views of the "Coral Sea". Are they referring to the Great Barrier Reef? I know nothing could compare to actually immersing yourself in the water above the Reef. However, would we still get a decent view of the Reef from one of these excursions or from the Princess ship?

 

Thanks so very much for your valued insight!!!

[CruiserBruce]

The cruise ships are required to stay in a specific channel. You will not be able to see the Reef.

 

The catamarans commonly used for reef access are large, high speed vessels. Motion is not really too noticeable.

[Cruise Junky]

I just got back from a week in Port Douglas we did the reef through a private company. The reef sits 30 miles off shore I doubt you'll see anything from the ship except some nice colored water. We were very lucky and had a calm day but still people weren't well. She'll probably need some kind of sea sick Medication just in case. As for the sky rail, you'll just look out over the ocean you won't really see anything. Kuranda was cool, we enjoyed that day but snorkeling the reef was beyond amazing and one of the coolest things we've done

Edited October 21, 2016 by Cruise Junky

[Cruise Junky]

Forgot to add. There's a really cool episode of Mighty Cruise Ships featuring Celebrity Solstice cruising the channel up there. You should be able to find it on YouTube

Edited October 21, 2016 by Cruise Junky

[skynight]

You can not see the Barrier Reef from the cruise ship. When we were there we took a large fast catamaran from Port Douglas to the reef. It takes a few hours to get there. There is some motion, but if you take sea sick pills you could be ok. You really can't sit outside during the trip, the boat is moving too fast and it is too windy. The visit is to a floating pontoon with a walk through under water. You can also snorkel in an enclosed area, but you have to wear a full body neoprene suit that was provided, no exposed skin, to protect yourself from the jelly fish.

 

At Cairns we took the Skyrail to Kuranda Village, bus ride back down. It was nice.

[CruiserBruce]

You can also snorkel in an enclosed area, but you have to wear a full body neoprene suit that was provided, no exposed skin, to protect yourself from the jelly fish.

 

 

This depends on the time of year. We were there in September...no required protective suit. I believe the "season" for jelly fish is generally Australia's mid summer...

Edited October 21, 2016 by CruiserBruce

[Viv0828]

We were at the Great Barrier Reef a number of years ago. While we were there they offered helicopter rides over the reef - for a rather large fee of course. We did one and it was amazing - highly recommend.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[BritinSoCal]

This depends on the time of year. We were there in September...no required protective suit. I believe the "season" for jelly fish is generally Australia's mid summer...

 

Generally stinger season is Nov through April / May, but if you were to take one of the snorkelling tours to the reef they'd advise and have the suitable gear on ship.

[Cruise Junky]

Generally stinger season is Nov through April / May, but if you were to take one of the snorkelling tours to the reef they'd advise and have the suitable gear on ship.

 

When we went out about 2 weeks ago they provided wet suits to the knees and elbows. They weren't required though, more for warmth. One large guy didn't wear his, I don't think they had one in his size.

[The Other Tom]

The Coral sea is not the same as the coral reef.

[By The Bay]

You might consider a shorter 45 minute catamaran ride to Green Island from Cairns. For activities on Green Island, see: http://greenisland.com.au/

[MJC]

I don't know who Princess is using for the excursion you are talking about, but there are other companies in Cairns who offer the submersible experience you mentioned:

 

http://www.cairnsvisitorcentre.com/quicksilver-great-barrier-reef-tour-46

 

In fact, this is the company our Princess excursion was with, though we left from Port Douglas not Cairns. I believe they operate from both ports.

 

For us it was a good two hours to the reef. The catamaran crosses the shipping channel so it tends to be a rough ride. On our return they were handing out seasick meds like candy. It is totally worth it though IMO.

 

Cruise ships have to stay in the shipping channel, which is a good distance from the reef in order to protect it.

 

I'm attaching two pictures from our excursion. One is of the catamaran to give you an idea of what they are like, and the other is a shot of the pontoon that all the activities at the reef were from.

[rurn0321]

We are also on the Round Australia in March 2018 but haven't decided about the Great Barrier Reef yet. Any info will be helpful. We love to snorkel so I'll have to do more research on tours not offered by Princess. I did start a roll call for the cruise. Are you on from Sydney or from Brisbane as that one is sold out?

[kruisey]

I don't know who Princess is using for the excursion you are talking about, but there are other companies in Cairns who offer the submersible experience you mentioned:

 

http://www.cairnsvisitorcentre.com/quicksilver-great-barrier-reef-tour-46

 

In fact, this is the company our Princess excursion was with, though we left from Port Douglas not Cairns. I believe they operate from both ports.

 

For us it was a good two hours to the reef. The catamaran crosses the shipping channel so it tends to be a rough ride. On our return they were handing out seasick meds like candy. It is totally worth it though IMO.

 

Cruise ships have to stay in the shipping channel, which is a good distance from the reef in order to protect it.

 

I'm attaching two pictures from our excursion. One is of the catamaran to give you an idea of what they are like, and the other is a shot of the pontoon that all the activities at the reef were from.

An experience not to be missed .No one on board was sick and when they put the sails up I actually steered the Catemaran for half an hour from Port Douglas:)

Edited October 22, 2016 by kruisey

[rurn0321]

One of the issues that I see is the fact that we don't dock until 10am and most of the tours go out earlier in the morning. We also leave at 7pm. Has anyone booked later tours that worked for that time restraint?

[BritinSoCal]

When we went out about 2 weeks ago they provided wet suits to the knees and elbows. They weren't required though, more for warmth. One large guy didn't wear his, I don't think they had one in his size.

 

float suits - helps prevent snorkelling virgins from sinking :D If the water's warm enough I generally don't use them as it's easier to dive down to the reef floor.

[Hlitner]

Love the reef, but the best way to truly see the reef is by diving or snorkeling! Would also be interesting to view large portions from a low flying plane or chopper. Cruise (and other commercial ships) are not permitted to cruise in the vicinity of the reef for good reason.

 

Just snorkeling on the reef is quite an experience. When we stay in Cairns (you could also do this from Port Douglas) we take a day excursion boat out to one of the huge (the size of a football field) floating platforms that are anchored over some parts of the reef. From those platforms (where they have running water, food, etc) one can easily get into the water and enjoy the reef with snorkel or SCUBA gear. One of the true wonders of the world...which unfortunately now has its share of ecological problems.

 

Hank

[Pushka]

Are you docking in Cairns or tendering? We were on QM2 and tendered. And the boat they provided to get to the reef wasn't a luxury one by any stretch and almost everyone was very seasick on the way to the pontoon, including many of the QM2 crew. They were ok on the way back to ship.

[Brisbane41]

You will not see any part of the reef from the ship.

 

I should also point out that where the cruise ships take you do not build up hopes of a good reef experience. It is all dead, dull and boring with nothing spectacular to see. I have been and was bitterly dissapointed. I found Mauritius, Barbados, Curacao, Apia, Noumea, Isle of Pines, Lifou and Norfolk Island to be far superior to the great barrier reef in all respects.

 

As for scenic cruising if the ship is leaving Australia and heading north through the Torres Straight and around the tip of Australia then there will be some interesting islands and scenic inlets and bays that you will cruise past.

[forever$B123]

We are also on the Round Australia in March 2018 but haven't decided about the Great Barrier Reef yet. Any info will be helpful. We love to snorkel so I'll have to do more research on tours not offered by Princess. I did start a roll call for the cruise. Are you on from Sydney or from Brisbane as that one is sold out?

 

Thanks and we'll sign on to the roll call

[snowskier]

Been to the Great Barrier many times. my step brother would not come close to agreeing with those that say "the cats are large no problem". He was a mess.

 

One time it was so rough we had to stop at the tourist trap (Green Island) and transfer folks to a larger more stable boat as the were so seasick.

 

It may be fine, it may be awful. Need to be realistic as no one on this board knows how rough the water will be, how easily your wife gets seasick. I don't get seasick but have seen how miserable people are when it hits them.

 

Be kind to your wife - her concerns are valid. Don't be in a position where you are saying - the people on cruise critic said it would be fine as she is suffering.

[sandyoftheseas]

My husband and I went on the Princess Cruise tour of the Great Barrier Reef in November 2012. We booked early per cruise for 2 Great Barrier Reef tours. One each day because that is one of the main reasons we went to Australia. We went on the high speed 2 hour catamaran that held about 200 people. The ride there was not bad but the ride back was rough even with sea sickness meds my husband was not feeling well as were many others who had to use the provided sea sickness bags. Once at the reef we put on our wet suits and got in the water with the other 200 people. The water was so stirred up you could not see much and the fish seemed to shy away I think because many people on this tour have never snorkeled before and were splashing a lot. We decided not to go back the second day. We asked at the tour desk if we could return the tickets they said no but, if we could find someone that wanted them then they would refund them. We stood by the tour desk for about 10 min and someone asked the tour desk if there was any last minute cancellations and we were able to get a refund and sell the tickets to this other cruiser. If I ever went back I would try to go on a private tour and if possible one that didn't take 2 hour by boat to get there.

[Cruise Junky]

My husband and I went on the Princess Cruise tour of the Great Barrier Reef in November 2012. We booked early per cruise for 2 Great Barrier Reef tours. One each day because that is one of the main reasons we went to Australia. We went on the high speed 2 hour catamaran that held about 200 people. The ride there was not bad but the ride back was rough even with sea sickness meds my husband was not feeling well as were many others who had to use the provided sea sickness bags. Once at the reef we put on our wet suits and got in the water with the other 200 people. The water was so stirred up you could not see much and the fish seemed to shy away I think because many people on this tour have never snorkeled before and were splashing a lot. We decided not to go back the second day. We asked at the tour desk if we could return the tickets they said no but, if we could find someone that wanted them then they would refund them. We stood by the tour desk for about 10 min and someone asked the tour desk if there was any last minute cancellations and we were able to get a refund and sell the tickets to this other cruiser. If I ever went back I would try to go on a private tour and if possible one that didn't take 2 hour by boat to get there.

 

 

That would be awful. We went with Wavelength out of Port Douglas and it was beyond amazing. I've never seen anything like it. The reef is one of the issues with doing it by cruise. You're pretty much stuck with ships tours.

[BritinSoCal]

That would be awful. We went with Wavelength out of Port Douglas and it was beyond amazing. I've never seen anything like it. The reef is one of the issues with doing it by cruise. You're pretty much stuck with ships tours.

 

Just like St. Petersburg, I's argue the GBR is best done with a specialist company and in a smallish group. We were in PD for a week last year and this gave us advantage of checking the weather forecast with Wavelength and selecting the optimum day for out trip.

 

Beyond awesome doesn't even describe it...