Review - Carnival Luminosa - Great Barrier Reef

[Aus Traveller]

35 minutes ago, LPGA Golfer Gal said:

This is a great review. So excited to start reading Australia trips. We are on Splendor coming in June 2023. So disappointed to not have any options for dives on GBR. Do you happen to have any excursion details with what options you had at various stops. So panicked thinking about waiting to book on board. Thanks.

With your cruise just going to Airlie Beach and Cairns (in North Qld) the options for diving or snorkelling on the reef are limited. Cruises going to Port Douglas have more options available.

 

With most cruises that call into Airlie Beach, passengers can take a catamaran trip to the reef where there is a large pontoon permanently moored. Diving and snorkelling are available. This trip has to be booked through the cruise line because of the timing of the trip. The reef is well off-shore here and it is a long trip to reach the pontoon - worth it in my opinion.

 

From Cairns, I suggest a trip to Fitzroy Island. The cruise ship wharf is very close to where the boats leave for Fitzroy and Green Island.

[MMDown Under]

4 hours ago, LPGA Golfer Gal said:

This is a great review. So excited to start reading Australia trips. We are on Splendor coming in June 2023. So disappointed to not have any options for dives on GBR. Do you happen to have any excursion details with what options you had at various stops. So panicked thinking about waiting to book on board. Thanks.

Happy to provide recommendations for your consideration.  I have just done 4/12 cruise to GBF but used to holiday in the North annually. 

[aussielozzie18]

@LPGA Golfer Gal I will be posting shore tours details from each port but I would suggest you look into independent tours from Cairns.  Apparently you are not visiting Port Douglas?

[aussielozzie18]

2nd Port - Cairns.  Another lovely sail in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[aussielozzie18]

This was a docked port.  Our plans here were have a sleep in, walk around to the lagoon pool in Cairns for a swim and then go for a wander.

However, when I saw the forecast for the day was going to be a hot 35C, I thought doing something air conditioned in the late afternoon might be a good idea so I checked the shore tours and booked a sightseeing tour that still had availability and started at 3pm.

It’s a nice flat walk from the ship to the lagoon pool.

 

 

 

 

 

That helicopter and one other were taking off on short seeing flights constantly all day.

 

 

[aussielozzie18]

Thankfully once we got to the lagoon pool at 10am, there was a nice breeze as it was indeed a hot day.  However, the pool is closed for maintenance on Wednesdays until midday.  So we were forced to go for a wander.  We didn’t go far as we were feeling the heat, so stopped and had a nice brunch instead.

 

 

 

 

Can’t remember what drink I ordered but it was refreshing as was daughters dragonfruit smoothie. Brunch was delicious. Can recommend this cafe, a short walk from lagoon pool.

Edited December 16, 2022 by aussielozzie18

[NSWP]

Great pics Lozzie, iced coffee weather, how tall is that girl? Your daughter?

[aussielozzie18]

At midday the lagoon pool was open.  It was FREE, clean, lifeguards on duty, toilets nearby, and varying depths of water and despite being popular, plenty of space for everyone.  Plenty of nice grass too for relaxing in sun or shade. Bliss.  I was in the water for 1 1/2hrs.  Daughter hopped in and out during that time.

 

[aussielozzie18]

3 minutes ago, NSWP said:

Great pics Lozzie, iced coffee weather, how tall is that girl? Your daughter?

My son is 6’2’ and she looked to be taller than him.  No, a customer.  Not my daughter.

[MMDown Under]

33 minutes ago, aussielozzie18 said:

At midday the lagoon pool was open.  It was FREE, clean, lifeguards on duty, toilets nearby, and varying depths of water and despite being popular, plenty of space for everyone.  Plenty of nice grass too for relaxing in sun or shade. Bliss.  I was in the water for 1 1/2hrs.  Daughter hopped in and out during that time.

 

They hold free aqua aerobics daily in this lagoon, with loud music.  There are spotless BBQ facilities which are popular with families in the early evening.  There is a beautiful foreshore esplanade walk.  Lots of different birds on the mudflats, if they haven't returned 20,000 km to the Northern hemisphere.  

[MMDown Under]

43 minutes ago, aussielozzie18 said:

At midday the lagoon pool was open.  It was FREE, clean, lifeguards on duty, toilets nearby, and varying depths of water and despite being popular, plenty of space for everyone.  Plenty of nice grass too for relaxing in sun or shade. Bliss.  I was in the water for 1 1/2hrs.  Daughter hopped in and out during that time.

 

Re your photo of the boardwalk en route to the ship, there is an excellent seafood restaurant to have lunch - Dundees on the Waterfront (1 MARLIN PARADE CAIRNS CITY 4870)

Love your photos which captured what makes Cairns City attractive, 

[aussielozzie18]

12 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

Re your photo of the boardwalk en route to the ship, there is an excellent seafood restaurant to have lunch - Dundees on the Waterfront (1 MARLIN PARADE CAIRNS CITY 4870)

Love your photos which captured what makes Cairns City attractive, 

I think I have seen you recommend Dundees before because when we walked past it in the morning, I recognised the name.  When  we walked past again after lunch, the dishes people were eating at the outside tables looked delish.  
 

When we visit again, I plan to dine there.  Thanks.

Edited December 17, 2022 by aussielozzie18

[MMDown Under]

2 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

I think I have seen you recommend Dundees before because when we walked past it in the morning, I recognised the name.  When  we walked past again after lunch, the dishes people were eating at the outside tables looked delish.  
 

When we visit again, I plan to dine there.  Thanks.

I ate at three seafood restaurants on that visit pre cruise keeping covid clear and it was the best.  I sat outside.  

[aussielozzie18]

At 3pm, my “Cairns in Style” ship tour began.  This was a 3.25hr tour in a stretch Hummer with an open bar and  two scenic stops.

We had a friendly driver and a fun group of 12 on board.

Our first stop was Crystal Cascades.  The driver stayed at the entrance and we as a group walked to the first swimming spot.

 

 

We had to ourselves and the water was wonderfully refreshing on a hot day.

 

[aussielozzie18]

From there we drove to Palm Cove, enjoying a few bottles of champagne and cold beers on the way.  The driver tried to pump up the music but we as a group were getting on so well & chatting, we kept the volume low.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 17, 2022 by aussielozzie18

[aussielozzie18]

We had a pleasant 40 mins here. The driver said we couldn’t swim because a crocodile had been seen the day before but unless you had a stinger suit, you wouldn’t be able to go into the water anyway.  Enjoyed our late afternoon stroll though.

 

 

 

 

 

[aussielozzie18]

I think your enjoyment of this tour would depend on the people who were on this tour with you.  We had a fun group and I enjoyed our two stops so this was an excellent tour choice for me.

 

Beautiful evening sail away from Cairns port.

 

 

 

 

[MMDown Under]

15 minutes ago, aussielozzie18 said:

From there we drove to Palm Cove, enjoying a few bottles of champagne and cold beers on the way.  The driver tried to pump up the music but we as a group were getting on so well & chatting, we kept the volume low.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We saw the interesting vehicle drive past when we were having lunch at the Surf Life Savers Club. Looked fun!

[aussielozzie18]

Ship tours for Cairns.  Only 7 and the Kuranda ones sold out quickly.

 

 

 

[aussielozzie18]

2 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

We saw the interesting vehicle drive past when we were having lunch at the Surf Life Savers Club. Looked fun!

Hope you enjoyed your lunch.  We certainly were having fun.

[MMDown Under]

Just now, aussielozzie18 said:

Hope you enjoyed your lunch.  We certainly were having fun.

It is nice to make special memories of things you wouldn't do normally.  Bucket of cold prawns with a long lime and ginger!

[aussielozzie18]

That night we had frogs legs on the menu in the MDR.  The following night we had crocodile. I enjoyed both.

[aussielozzie18]

Just now, MMDown Under said:

It is nice to make special memories of things you wouldn't do normally.  Bucket of cold prawns with a long lime and ginger!

Nice!!

[aussielozzie18]

Carnival are still doing towel animals.  We got one every night. I quite liked the koala & turtle 

 

 

 

[aussielozzie18]

We were so fortunate with the weather on this trip.  We cruised into our last port, Port Douglas on another gorgeous day with calm seas.  Temps were 30-35C.