Hello everyone,<BR>There sounds like a very interesting island cruise option for four days exploring the GBR. Would love to hear from anyone who has done this or knows these two companies. Cheers!

We took the Coral Princess cruise. It was wonderful. Great crew, small group of travelers, wonderful locations for diving and snorkeling, excellent food, very good accommodations. The rooms are small, but quite comfortable. There was always plenty of hot water for showers. Very clean, very safe - good check in proceedures before departing from each mooring to make sure all divers were on board. We really enjoyed the crew/staff. Everyone does double/triple duty so you get to know them in every capacity. Lots of fun evenings fishing off the back of the boat with crew or playing games in the lounge. Everyone got to know everyone else. Naturalist on board was a big plus. Wonderful beach bar-b-que at one stop. Top notch experience. I would go again in an instant. One of the best ways to see the reef. More questions? email me: [email protected]

Thanks TC for the reply. Have heard varying reports from folks and I guess it all depends on the weather. Just curious what time of year you went?

We were there in April. Weather was wonderful the entire time.

Did you take the cruise that goes north to Lizard and the ribbon reef or the southerly which seems to be the most advertised run. Do you know which provides the best reef snorkling experience?

John, We did the 3 night, Cairns to Townsville cruise. It was just the right amount of time. We also spent a few nights at Silky Oaks Lodge with another day trip to the reef as part of a three week holiday in Australia. We visited Sydney, Adelaide and then the GBR area.