Single
Travellers
• Genuine
single travellers only are entitled to sole use
of the room at the twin share rate.
• Guests travelling together on the same booking should book to share a
twin-bedded room. If two or more guests travelling together elect to have sole
use of a room a 25% single surcharge will apply on each single room occupied.
• A limited number of sole use rooms are available on each departure.
Every
cruise includes on-board
accommodation, all meals, morning and afternoon teas,
tea and coffee available at all times, use of snorkelling
equipment, masks, fins, flotation vests and wetsuits,
guided glass-bottom boat coral viewing and snorkelling
excursions, presentation 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. Breakfast,
lunch and dinner are all buffet style.
Prices
exclude pre
and post cruise transfers, shore excursions
and entrance fees in Cooktown, bar and ship
purchases, ship to shore telephone and facsimile
calls, costs associated with SCUBA diving
and Government EMC (approx $16.50 pp). NOTE:Fuel
Surcharge of $10.00 per
person per night (under 3 years free
of charge)
Rates,
additional charges and conditions are subject
to change, and to
currency fluctuation, without notice - Errors and Omissions Excepted
•Green
Island rainforest discovery walk
• Historic mainland Cooktown
• Two Isles wildlife nesting grounds
• Lizard Island clam gardens and trails
• Ribbon Reef coral gardens
Spectacular
Lizard Island, Cooktown, an historic coastal outpost
and deserted coral cays join rich rainforest and a
stunning ribbon reef as the unforgettable experiences
of this cruise.
Depart
Trinity Wharf Cairns
Departs
Returns
Boarding
from 1.00pm
2.00pm
Monday
9.00am
Friday
Sample
Itinerary
Monday -
Your first port of call is Green Island where you can
join the Marine Naturalist for an escorted walk, board
a glass bottom boat tour or relax with a cocktail at
the resort pool.
Tuesday -
Visit remote Cooktown where in 1770, Captain James
Cook, sought refuge by the river. A century later thousands
came in search of gold. Today’s visitors find
a quieter place with a rich history to explore. In
the afternoon we sail for Two Isles. This tiny cay
fringed by white coral-sand beaches is a sanctuary
for rare bird species and occasional sea turtles, and
perfect for snorkelling.
Wednesday -
Surrounded by exceptional fringing reefs, Lizard Island
is the jewel of the Barrier Reef. Meander across fringes
of white sand, don snorkelling gear to explore acres
of coral, step into a glass-bottomed boat and dawdle
over the giant clam gardens off Mrs Watson’s
Bay, or hit the trail up Cooks Look like a true explorer.
Thursday -
Snorkel in bright clear water over staghorn, fan, sea
whip, brain and boulder corals as giant potato cod,
rays, reef sharks and coral trout swim below. Aboard
our glass-bottomed boat, the marine naturalist illuminates
the extraordinary habitat of Ribbon Reef No.5 unfolding
before your eyes.
On
Friday morning we reach Cairns once more
Note:
Due to weather, tides or mechanical reasons the itinerary
may be subject to change without notice.
DESTINATION INFORMATION
The Great
Barrier Reef
In
recognition of its outstanding universal value,
the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 2,000 kms
along the Queensland Coast, was inscribed on the
World Heritage List on 26th October, 1981, under
the Unesco Convention concerning the protection
of the world cultural and natural heritage. The
purpose of the Convention is to ensure international
co-operation for the protection and care of the
world's outstanding and irreplaceable heritage.
Over 200 World Heritage sites are scattered around
the world including the Grand Canyon in the USA,
the Pyramid Fields of Egypt and the Taj Mahal in
India.
In the Australian Government's nomination of the Barrier Reef to the
World Heritage List it stated "The Great Barrier Reef is by far
the largest single collection of coral reefs in the World. Biologically
the Great Barrier Reef supports the most diverse ecosystems known to
man. Its enormous diversity is thought to reflect the maturity of an
ecosystem which has evolved over millions of years...."
Today the Great Barrier Marine Park, including over 2,500 individual
reefs and island national parks, is managed by the Queensland National
Parks and Wildlife service and is made available for the appreciation
and enjoyment of this and future generations from around the world.
THE REEFS
The
Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest collection
of living corals. Corals actually refer to a number
of similar marine animals, which form the main
structure of coral reefs. Each coral contains polyps
which bud in a variety of ways. This budding process
is responsible for the many shapes and textures
of corals. Coral reproduction, which occurs for
just a few short days each year in a spectacular
display of colour, is one of the most amazing spectacles
on the Barrier Reef.
Coral reefs are also havens for thousands of marine animals and plants,
in a vista of colour, shape and design. Over 1500 species of fish are
known to exist on the Barrier Reef including the world's smallest and
largest, giant clams sometimes up to a metre long and 200 kg in weight,
and 15 metre whale sharks (thankfully harmless plankton eaters) among
many.
THE RAINFOREST
The
Great Barrier Reef islands and coastline, encompassing
the world heritage Daintree Rainforest, boasts
an amazing variety of ecosystems. The sub tropical
vegetation varies from towering rainforest canopies,
to eucalypt forests, to dense mangrove mud flats
and coastal lowlands.
The Southern islands, lying between Cairns and Townsville, are the most
tropical of all the islands in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Entire
islands such as Hinchinbrook, (Australia's largest island national park)
have been declared flora and fauna havens - sanctuaries for Australia's
fascinating wildlife. Both Dunk and Fitzroy Islands offer dense tropical
rainforests, and a colourful variety of birdlife, nesting high in the
forest canopy.
North of Cairns, on the Far North Queensland coast, lies Mossman Gorge
and the magnificent Daintree Rainforest. One of the most beautiful coastal
locations on the reef is Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets
the waters of the Coral Sea.
EARLY EXPLORATION
The
hundreds of shipwrecks littering the Great Barrier
Reef attest to the hazard the Reef posed for coastal
navigators. Sixteenth Century Portuguese navigators
were the first to describe the treacherous waters
off north eastern Australia. A map from this period
marked the area as "COST DANGEREUSE".
Two centuries later, James Cook reached Australia during his epic voyage
of exploration. Cook described the maze of coral reefs as "Memorials
to Distress". His ship the "Endeavour" ran aground on
the Endeavour Reef in June 1770.
The first mapping survey of the Great Barrier Reef was conducted in 1802
by Matthew Flinders. Throughout the 1800's, survey of the Reef was slow
but eventually resulted in the opening of the Torres Strait Passage to
increased sail and later steamer traffic. In 1884 the Torres Strait Pilot
Service was officially established.
General Conditions
Per
person prices in Australian Dollars (AU$). Children 0-2 years free
of charge in existing bedding however not recommended. Special
prices, itineraries and conditions apply on selected special event
cruises. Cancellation charges apply. Prices exclude any levies
or surcharges such as credit card surcharges, Environmental Management
Charge or Onboard Charges such as fuel surcharges as applied from
time to time. All rates are inclusive of Australian Goods & Services
Tax (GST 10%) at the current legislated rate (July 2009) and may
be subject to variation by the Government of the day. Captain Cook
Cruises reserves the right to increase fares without prior notice,
however fully paid guests will be protected at their booked rate,
except for fuel surcharges, government taxes or other surcharges.
Fares may be subject to change due to fuel price fluctuations.
Single Travellers - as at April 2010
• Genuine single travellers only are entitled to sole use of the room at
the twin share rate.
• Guests travelling together on the same booking should book to share a
twin-bedded room. If two or more guests travelling together elect to have sole
use of a room a 25% single surcharge will apply on each single room occupied.
• A limited number of sole use rooms are available on each departure.
Cancellations & Refunds
All
cancellations are subject to an AU$50 administration fee per
person. Cancellation fees, less the administration fee, may be
applied to another cruise if completed within 12 months of original
booking.
Cancellations received inside 60 days of sailing will be subject to cancellation
charges at the following rates:
• within
30-59 days – $200pp deposit
• within 15-29 days – 70% of fare
• 14 days or less – 100% of fare
• no-shows at sailing – 100% of fare
Special cancellation and payment policies apply to groups of
15 or more.
It
is strongly recommended that passengers take out cancellation
and travel insurance from the time of deposit. It is your responsibility
to ensure you have the necessary passports and visas.
For your
comfort it may be necessary to amend itineraries or arrangements
due to weather or other operational needs. Captain Cook Cruises
reserves the right to vary fares, cabin allocation, itineraries,
vessels, schedules and conditions of cruise without notice.
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