Great Barrier Reef Cruise - Gold Class VIP Lounge Package
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Personal flotation aids - life jackets and noodles
- Semi-Submersible Tour for each guest (weather permitting)
- Cruise onboard the fastest, most luxurious catamaran visiting two exclusive outer reef locations
- Mini-bar with complimentary snacks (chocolates, chips etc.)
- BBQ lunch prepared onboard with fresh fish, prawns, steak, salads (Veg, GF, DF & Vegan options)
- Private coffee machine with coffee and tea amenities
- 5 hours reef time with an included guided snorkel tour
- Exclusive access for up to 8 guests to the GOLD CLASS luxury lounge located on the second level
- $20 Admin/Fuel Levy
- A glass of wine, cheese and biscuits on return journey
- Dedicated concierge service for the day
- Complimentary lycra/sun suit and towel hire
- $20 per person onboard credit to use how you wish
- Scuba Diving - optional add-on up to 3 Introductory or Certified Dives - contact reservations
- Discounted Helicopter Flights - optional add-ons, contact reservations POA
- Return Transfers - optional add-on, contact reservations
Itinerary
Check-in at Reef Fleet Terminal between 7.15am - 7.45am. Once checked in, you can make your way down to the boat, Evolution. Be greeted by your dedicated concierge for the day, who will show you to your private VIP lounge and provide you with masks and snorkel. Enjoy arrival tea, coffee and muffins before departure as well as your own private tea and coffee machine and complimentary snacks. Complimentary towel hire and sunscreen are provided in your room as well.
Evolution departs Cairns at 8 am. You will have a private safety briefing from your concierge team member for the day inside your private lounge. After your safety briefing, cruise for 1 hour and 30 minutes, before you arrive at the first reef location. This will either be Saxon Reef or Norman Reef based on weather conditions and water clarity, to ensure the best experience for all activities. Enjoy snorkelling the Outer Reef. Included in the Gold Class package, you can experience snorkelling with one of our guides. They can show you all the best spots and marine life! Dial up the adventure and add a scuba dive (additional costs apply).
Enjoy a BBQ lunch onboard (special dietary requirements catered for). The spread features an Australian barbecue with fresh fish, steak, prawns, and a variety of salads, and breads.
Evolution arrives at the second reef location for more snorkelling and/or scuba diving (scuba diving is an additional cost). Marvel at the incredible richness and diversity of marine life as you snorkel at another Outer Reef location. If you prefer to stay dry, sit back and enjoy the views with our three deck spaces available for lounging. Dial up the adventure and choose the package with the 10-minute scenic helicopter flight to experience the Great Barrier Reef from above! Additional costs apply for the helicopter flight - please ask Reservations when booking.
As you return to the mainland after a full day in paradise, enjoy complimentary afternoon tea of cheese, biscuits and a glass of wine as you toast to a great day visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Evolution arrives back to Cairns at approximately 4.30pm.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
Traveler reviews
Do the VIP upgrade
We had a fabulous day and the VIP upgrade was worth every cent. The crew were fantastic and got the balance right delivering safety with a smile. Excellent product
Very nice trip
We recently spent several days in Cairns for the primary purpose of going snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef. We have snorkeled at many places around the world over the course of 30+ years. Accordingly, we booked 3 consecutive trips with 3 different companies. Altogether, we snorkeled 7 different spots on the reef. The weather was challenging on all three days with high wind and scattered showers. We were prepared for this and managed to complete the trips without getting sick. Our trip on the Evolution was the first. It was also our favorite. The boat is very nice, clean and well maintained. We booked the VIP package, which came with a separate lounge that was private and very comfortable. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks were included. We also had a dedicated crew member, Indi, who looked after us. She was great…..very friendly and took great care of us. Due to the weather, the currents were strong at both stops. The boat was parked so that we swam upstream to get away from the boat and the currents brought us back very easily. This is the proper way to do it. Even though the swim out was difficult, getting back was easy. The snorkeling at the first spot was OK. The coral was a little deep to see well, particularly in the unfavorable conditions. The second stop was much better. The coral was closer, there was a nice variety, and the visibility was better. The boat takes divers as well as snorkelers and they managed both groups pretty well although, since it is a large boat, there was some crowding in the back. Lunch service was very good. Since some people were in the water at different times, it wasn’t crowded. In addition to cold items, they grilled steak, fish, and prawns. It was quite a bit of food. The crew did a great job of handling the water activities as well as onboard service. They were very organized. Everyone was assigned a number for accountability and there was a dedicated “locker” storage area for each passenger. They were very meticulous in making sure everyone was safe and onboard before we departed. While we wish that the conditions were better, we thoroughly enjoyed the Evolution and especially Indi.
Excellent VIP treatment!
Wow, the cruise itself - the ship, the crew, the food, the knowledge was great BUT having the VIP room was amazing. Indi looked after us with snacks, drinks and some fun chats. She took us into the first reef for a private guided snorkel and that put me at ease being at the reef. We also did the submerged glass boat and that was super cool. Indi guided this tour and provided a lot of info as she is a marine biologist and diver it gave us a unique perspective. We were in great hands with Captain Tom and crew - super safe. Would have loved to do the helicopter but unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate. BOOK this vip tour, you will love it. Also the description is a bit off - the room holds 8 - you do not share with other people - just that it holds up to 8 people in your group.
Amazing experience!!
Absolutely incredible!!! The Captain and crew provided excellent customer service. We selected the gold package and Indi was our concierge for the day. She was remarkable. She took care of us with regard to the gold lounge as well as being our guide for snorkeling and the guide for the semi submersible. She was knowledgeable and professional. We felt very safe with her and the crew. Highly recommend tour!
Well worth it!
A wonderful experience and I would highly recommend the Gold Class upgrade. The catamaran holds around 130 people but the VIP treatment means you get your own private air conditioned room away from the crowd to relax in complete privacy. Soft sofas, well-stocked fridge, coffee machine and a tv to use. The staff make sure you skip the queues for everything and are superb. We enjoyed a private marine tour with Taylah and she was so friendly and knowledgable. Food was great - it’s the same as the rest of the guests receive but again the staff make sure you get the fresh cooked steaks. They even brought up some cheesecakes for afternoon tea on the way home for us. We couldn’t have hoped for better treatment and it really made our day so special.