The Great Barrier Reef Scenic Cruise Days: Worth Skipping?

[icruised]

in our world cruise, between the ports of Cairns and Darwin, we have 3 days of cruising only days listed as:

- The Ribbon Reef Region (Scenic cruising only)
- The Far North Region (Scenic cruising only)
- The Torres Strait (Scenic cruising only)

 

We were considering getting off the ship at Cairns and spend extra days there, and rejoin in Darwin. The question is, is the scenic sailing through the reefs worth it to spend those days on the ship? Do you actually see anything, or these are just regular Sea days?

 

Thank you!

[beatleman]

12 hours ago, icruised said:

in our world cruise, between the ports of Cairns and Darwin, we have 3 days of cruising only days listed as:

- The Ribbon Reef Region (Scenic cruising only)
- The Far North Region (Scenic cruising only)
- The Torres Strait (Scenic cruising only)

 

We were considering getting off the ship at Cairns and spend extra days there, and rejoin in Darwin. The question is, is the scenic sailing through the reefs worth it to spend those days on the ship? Do you actually see anything, or these are just regular Sea days?

 

Thank you!

How are you going to travel to Darwin?

[yarramar]

Have 

14 hours ago, icruised said:

We were considering getting off the ship at Cairns and spend extra days there, and rejoin in Darwin. The question is, is the scenic sailing through the reefs worth it to spend those days on the ship? Do you actually see anything, or these are just regular Sea days?

Have you been given the OK by the cruise ship?

It may be a breach of your contract of passage.

[icruised]

yarramar, the cruise is ok with it, as long as we file proper paperwork with them ahead of time. Skipping ports on a world-cruise is not uncommon, so they have a standard form for it.

 

beatleman, we would fly.

 

We are considering skipping Darwin as well and fly directly to Bali where we could have a week until the ship arrives.

[yarramar]

10 hours ago, icruised said:

We are considering skipping Darwin as well and fly directly to Bali where we could have a week until the ship arrives

If you can do that, then go for it. I wouldn't skip Darwin, though. It is fascinating and the national parks near by are amazing and worthwhile visiting. From Darwin to Bali is a flight of less than 3 hours.

[CPT Trips]

On 11/10/2023 at 1:04 PM, icruised said:

yarramar, the cruise is ok with it, as long as we file proper paperwork with them ahead of time. Skipping ports on a world-cruise is not uncommon, so they have a standard form for it.

 

beatleman, we would fly.

 

We are considering skipping Darwin as well and fly directly to Bali where we could have a week until the ship arrives.

No, don’t skip Darwin . . . 
Can you overnight there, then fly to Bali?

We did a snorkel trip out to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns and it was fantastic. 

[MMDown Under]

On 11/10/2023 at 8:49 AM, icruised said:

in our world cruise, between the ports of Cairns and Darwin, we have 3 days of cruising only days listed as:

- The Ribbon Reef Region (Scenic cruising only)
- The Far North Region (Scenic cruising only)
- The Torres Strait (Scenic cruising only)

 

We were considering getting off the ship at Cairns and spend extra days there, and rejoin in Darwin. The question is, is the scenic sailing through the reefs worth it to s pilot pend those days on the ship? Do you actually see anything, or these are just regular Sea days?

 

Thank you!

If you are a snorkeller, the Ribbon Reefs were very popular with cuisers on our small ship from Cairns to Darwin.  It is a beautiful scenic cruise through the GBR. The scenery was a highlight of the cruise for me. The pilot through the reef often gives interesting talks,