Anyone done the edge up to Cairns?

[DevonianCruiser]

We’re planning on doing a month in Australia next December and have just seen this cruise. Two days in Cairns and a stop at Airlie Beach would give us an opportunity to see the Great Barrier Reef. 
 

It’s 11 nights from Sydney and just wondered if anyone’s done it and your thoughts please? 

[whitbob]

We have done this cruise on Solstice, it was Sydney to Port Douglas.  It was our first time to Australia, and the ports were amazing.   We have been back 2 more times, the last was this year on the Edge, so I can try to answer questions you have about the itinerary or the ship.

 

The GBR cruise was Sydney round trip, with stops in Airlie, Brisbane, Port Douglas and an overnight at Yorkey’s Knob, so we never saw Cairns.  I will mention that Yorkey’s Knob is close to Cairns, and easy to visit, but our one disappointment was we had researched Snorkel and Dive trips to the reef.  We had a small independent vendor we wanted to use, but by the time we anchored, and tendered to Yorkey’s Knob, then got to Cairns the boat would have already left for the reef.  It was the reverse issue the next day, the boats returned to Cairns too late to get back before sail away.   We did the ship tour to the reef.  It was well done and a beautiful day, but lining up to get in the water with 300 people was not what we were hoping for.  The cruise and experiences available in the ports were all excellent.  I only mention this if diving or snorkeling the reef is the reason you are going.  Take the time to research timing and your options in advance.

 

A month in Australia sounds wonderful.  Enjoy your trip whatever you decide about the cruise.