Cruise ships in Brisbane 27th March - 2nd April 2017

Only 3 cruise ships in Brisbane this week, all calling at Portside.

Tuesday 28th March 2017: Pacific Dawn
Wednesday 29th March 2017: Pacific Aria
Saturday 1st April 2017: Pacific Dawn

From my photo archives

Pacific Aria Brisbane 2015

Cruise ships Brisbane 20th - 26th March 2017

Only 3 cruise ships in Brisbane this week.

At Fisherman Island...
Thursday 23rd March 2017: Celebrity Solstice
At Portside Hamilton...
Friday 24th March 2017: Azamara Journey
Saturday 25th March 2017: Pacific Dawn

From my photo archives

Pacific Jewel 2015, Portside Brisbane.

Shore tours for Port Douglas

I started compiling some ideas for spending our day in Port Douglas. We are here from 7am to 6pm, however it's a tender port so realistically I'm not looking at anything starting before 9am.

So far for a reef trip the Reef Sprinter looks great. A fast trip to the Low isles, snorkel and return. Looks good.

Another idea is a trip out to Mossman gorge. We were there 20 years ago but it looks like the area has been developed by the local indigenous group to a tourist area, walking tracks, lookouts etc. There a few buses that take you to the gorge and then return to pickup later.

Whether we could fit both the snorkel and the gorge in and make it back to the ship in time remains to be seen. I think we will mull over it a bit longer.

Other ideas include the Wildlife habitat and Hartley's crocodile adventure.
If we were at Port Douglas on a Sunday then the steam train from St Crispin's station to Marina Mirage would have been a nice option.
There is also a historical town walk taking in sites around the town.

For web links see below

• Mossman Gorge

• Port Douglas to Mossman Gorge by Excellence coaches

• Port Douglas to Mossman Gorge by Port Douglas buses

• Reef Sprinter, Port Douglas

• Reef Sprinter to Low Isles trip

• Wildlife Habitat

• Hartley's Crocodile Adventures

• Port Douglas taxi rates

• Bally Hooley steam train

• Historical walks

From my photo archives: Mossman Gorge 1998

Shore tours for Cairns

I started this post back last year, last looked at in December, and it's been sitting in draft format since then.

I thought I'd start making a list of shore tour possibilities for Cairns.

We have family in Cairns so I'm not sure if we can co-ordinate a family day or just organise a tour. With such a long time out I thought I'd compile a list of possibilities to make the decision easier closer to the time.

At this stage I think we will do a reef trip from Port Douglas, however the half day one with Skedaddle looks enticing. I'd like to do the Skyrail as my son was just 3 the last time we were in Cairns and he doesn't remember it. Other options is Green Island.

• Skyrail Cairns
• Green Island, Queensland
• Big Cat Green Island reef cruises
• Visit Cairns
• Skedaddle Cairns
• Cairns Tableland tours
• Cairns zoom and wildlife dome

So it's now "closer to the time" and it's time to nut out all the options....stay tuned for some decisions.

Cruise ships in Brisbane 13th - 19th March 2017

Only 3 cruise ships in Brisbane this week, all calling at Portside. Thursday sees the return of the Pacific Dawn from her makeover in Singapore. Welcome back.

Thursday 16th March 2017: Pacific Dawn
Friday 17th March 2017: Pacific Aria
Saturday 18th March 2017: Dawn Princess

From my photo archives

Passengers embarking the Dawn Princess at Pikemba on the north-side of the Brisbane river 2015.

Cruise ships Brisbane 6th - 12th March 2017

Only 3 ships scheduled this week for Portside Brisbane.

Monday 6th March 2017: Insignia
Wednesday 8th March 2017: Sirena
Friday 10th March 2017: Pacific Aria

Both Insignia and Sirena are ships belonging to Oceania Cruises, the world’s largest upper premium cruise line.