7 Night Cruise - Cairns - Lizard Island - Cairns - Dunk Island - Townsville
	Highlights • Tropical Townsville • Historic mainland Cooktown • Dunk Island rainforest trails • Lizard Island clam gardens and trails • Rachel Carson Reef & Ribbon Reef
This ultimate combination of both the 3 Night & 4 Night cruises has it all. Experience islands canopied with rainforest and fringed with white beaches, stunning reef environments all aboard Coral Princess. Depart Townsville Departs Returns Cairns Trinity Wharf Boarding 30 minutes prior to departure Townsville Breakwater Terminal, (Sir Leslie Thiess Drive) Boarding 30 minutes prior to departure Tuesday 5.00pm* Tuesday 1.00pmˆ Cairns at 8.00am Tuesday Cairns 8.00am Tuesday Special cruise timetables operate on selected dates. * Cairns to Townsville alternate weeks 18 Mar - 14 Oct. Click Here for complete sailing schedule. ˆTownsville to Cairns alternate weeks 25 Mar - 07 Oct. Click Here for complete sailing schedule.
Sample Itinerary
	Day 1: 4:00pm: Board your small ship cruise for a 5:00pm departure from Cairns. Settle in and discover your ‘home’ for the next seven nights as we cruise Trinity Bay. In the evening, join our crew and travelling companions on the top deck to enjoy a glass of champagne
	Day 2: We have the morning to discover historical Cooktown. You have the option to visit Cooktown’s fascinating historical museum. 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.
	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. 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. This afternoon we cruise to Ribbon Reef No 9.
	Day 4: 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: TThis morning enjoy free time to discover tropical Cairns. Reboard your cruise for an 11:00am departure from Cairns. After a delicious lunch we arrive at the outer Great Barrier Reef, anchoring off Thetford Reef and Sudbury Cay.
	Day 6: This morning we enjoy ample time to discover Coates or Nathan Reef. 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.
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 your 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 metres off the beach, offers some fantastic snorkelling opportunities. 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.
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.

Honeymoon Packages:
Standard Honeymoon Bonus: Complimentary bottle of sparkling wine in room on arrival.

Special Honeymoon Package:
Surcharge of pp on Stateroom fare including complimentary upgrade from Stateroom to Top Deck Stateroom (subject to availability at time of sailing), chauffeur driven limousine transfer (one way) to or from Cairns airport to Trinity Wharf, bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, matching his & hers Reef Endeavour t-shirts on arrival.

Early Booking Saver (EBS) Availability & Discounts:
Book early to secure Early Booking Saver (EBS) fares which represent discounts of up to 20% on 2008/09 selected Brochure Fares. EBS fares are capacity controlled. Captain Cook Cruises has set aside cabins which are available at these discounted fares. Once these cabins are sold, fares may revert to a higher fare or the full Brochure Fare. Savings apply to cruise fares only - they do not apply to other fees/charges including but not limited to transfers, shore excursions, fuel surcharges, government taxes or other fees as applied from time to time.

Onboard Charges
The following onboard charges apply to all passengers. These charges are not included in your cruise fare and are payable at the conclusion of your cruise. All amounts are charged to your onboard cabin account, payable at the end of your cruise by credit card, cash or traveller’s cheque. Please note surcharges are subject to change.

Fuel Surcharge - Please confirm amount at time of check-in
Environmental Management Charge (EMC) of per adult (under 3 years free of charge)

General Conditions:
Per person prices in Australian Dollars (AU$). Special prices, itineraries and conditions apply on selected special event cruises. All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions of the Passenger Cruise Contract. 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%) or Fijian Value Added Tax (VAT 12.5%) at the current legislated rate (Sep 2005) 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.


Confirmation of Bookings:
Bookings are confirmed upon receipt of a deposit of per person, and acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Passenger Cruise Contract. Final payment of the cruise fare must be made at least 60 days before sailing otherwise bookings will be cancelled.

Cancellations & Refunds

All cancellations are subject to an 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:

CANCELLATION
within 30-59 days	pp deposit
within 15-29 days	50% 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.