Cairns

Escape to the world’s oldest living Rainforest, the World Heritage listed Daintree, where one will indulge in a four-night emersion into this enchanting region. Experience true nature and culture during this combination of Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef and Australian Aboriginal culture on a program designed for a small number of guests (maximum 18). Your stay in the Rainforest is at Silky Oaks Lodge, renowned as one of Australia’s luxury resorts and the perfect hub for exploring the tropical North Queensland.

Note: Due to the nature of this program, it is not recommended for guests who require use of a wheelchair. Accessible accommodations are limited to one room at the lodge which must be requested in advance. Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.

DAY 1

Depart the ship in Cairns (later in the day), meet our local representative and proceed to your hotel. Check in and then watch the ship sail off into the distance. After dinner at a local restaurant, you can then either retire for the evening or take in the city by night. There are a multitude of waterfront bars and breweries, the Cairns Casino might be a fun stop and the night market is a short stroll away.

DAY 2

Following breakfast at your hotel, check-out and begin your adventure northwards to the world-famous Daintree Rainforest.

Meet your local guide and begin the scenic drive up the magnificent coastline. Stop for a refreshment in the northern beaches and then continue up the coast and into the middle of the rainforest and your accommodation at Silky Oaks Lodge. Set above the flowing Mossman River and among the canopy of the rainforest, you will surely feel enveloped by the sights and sounds of the natural theatre surrounding you.

Check in time at the lodge is at 3:00pm so you’ll have a chance to eat lunch overlooking the lush rainforest before checking in. You will also be free to explore the property. Self-guided walking maps will be provided on arrival allowing you the opportunity to explore some of the surrounding rainforest walks accessible only to inhouse guests.

On check in, your preferred dining time can be established, and a booking will be made in the property’s magnificent restaurant. Dinner and evening drinks are included during your stay.

Your Riverhouse Room is set high above the banks of the Mossman River and has a king bed, open plan lounge, spacious ensuite bathroom with shower, private outdoor deck with bath and shower, outdoor balcony with hammock, floor to ceiling glass windows and rainforest and river views.

Note: There will not be a guide staying with the group at the lodge; however, during your stay you will be assigned a Regent representative whose contact details will be provided to you with his/her name and number should you require anything that the lodge staff cannot assist with.

DAY 3

After a wonderful tropical breakfast overlooking the river and canopy, meet your guide for this morning’s adventure.

A short but scenic drive through sugarcane farms takes you to the neighboring town of Mossman, the home of Mossman Gorge and some of the traditional owners of this land.

Meet a representative from the cultural center and embark on a journey of walking and storytelling to showcase the natural beauty of the rainforest as well as the dream time stories and cultural insight into the region.

Following this magical experience return to your retreat and relax over lunch. The afternoon is at your leisure to take advantage the peaceful scenery or partake in one of the activities offered at the lodge.

Silky Oaks Lodge offers a range of complimentary lodge-based activities including guided yoga classes, self-guided walks and swimming in the Mossman River. Snorkels and fins, as well as river canoes and kayaks and electronic bikes are provided for guest use. The lodge also offers a daily set-schedule shuttle transfer to port Douglas. Note, some activities are shared with fellow guests and operate at scheduled times.

Dinner is included at the property’s restaurant.

DAY 4

After breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby and set out to explore the Great Barrier Reef in style.

Transfer to the town of Port Douglas where you will embark on an exclusive vessel just for our group. You will spend the day on the water with the opportunity to snorkel at the pristine Great Barrier Reef.

Lunch, snorkel gear, snacks and Lycra suits are all provided on the vessel along with a chilled box with some basic beverages to enjoy during the day.

Returning to the lodge, dinner and drinks are again enjoyed overlooking the rainforest.

Note: Guests should bring a towel. Scuba Diving is not available.

DAY 5

Depending on flight time, enjoy breakfast or a breakfast box will be provided. Depart on a coastal drive to the Cairns Airport where you will board a flight to Darwin.

Upon arrival in Darwin the group will be met after baggage claim and transferred to the port where you will re-embark the ship. Note: Guests are not escorted on the flight.

Land Program Step by Step:

Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

DAY 1

5:00pm Depart the ship and transfer to your accommodation in Cairns

5:30pm Check-in at the hotel and freshen up before dinner

6:30pm Meet your local escort, depart your hotel and walk to the Pier for dinner

7:00pm Dinner at Oche Restaurant or similar overlooking the trinity inlet

Overnight at the Pullman Hotel in downtown Cairns or similar hotel

DAY 2 – timings are dependent on actual flight times which can change right up to the time of departure

7:00am Enjoy breakfast at your hotel

9:00am Check out of the hotel

9:45am Meet your guide and drive north to Ellis Beach for a coffee break

10:30am Continue the drive north to your hotel in the rainforest

12:00pm Lunch at the lodge overlooking the rainforest canopy and the tranquil river below

3:00pm Check in and afternoon at leisure

TBA Drinks and dinner are included, dining times can be arranged with the management of the lodge to suit your preference

Overnight at Silky Oaks lodge

Note: Silky Oaks Lodge is located in the remote Rainforest. It is very secluded and there is nothing within walking distance from the property.

DAY 3

7:00am Breakfast at lodge

8:30am Meet you guide in the lobby and depart on a cultural tour to Mossman Gorge

9:00am Arrive to Mossman Gorge - Dreamtime aboriginal walking tour of the Rainforest

11:30am Depart Mossman Gorge

12:00pm Lunch at the lodge

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the lodge

TBA Drinks and dinner – set up your dinner time with the lodge Concierge

Overnight at Silky Oaks lodge

DAY 4

7:00am Breakfast at lodge

8:00am Meet you guide in the lobby for a transfer to the Great Barrier Reef vessel

8:30am Arrive in Port Douglas and board an exclusive RSSC chartered vessel

4:30pm Return to the port and transfer back to the lodge

TBA Drinks and dinner – set up your dinner time with the lodge Concierge

Overnight at Silky Oaks lodge

DAY 5 – timings are dependent on actual flight times which can change right up to the time of departure

6:00am Breakfast at the lodge

9:00am Meet you guide in the lobby for a transfer to the Cairns Airport

10:30am Arrive and check in for your flight to Darwin

12:00pm Flight to Darwin?(flight times TBA and subject to change)

3:00pm Arrive at the Darwin airport, meet your local escort after luggage claim

Lunch included either at the airport or in Darwin depending on final flight times

3:15pm Transfer to the pier

3.45pm Arrive at the port of Darwin and re-board the ship

Expected Weather:

Part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area, the Daintree climate is characterized by two distinct seasons: the dry season and the green season. The dry season occurs from April to November which sees warm days and cool nights with low humidity ranging in temperature from 19-30°C (66-86°F ).

What to Bring:

Dress is relaxed at Silky Oaks Lodge. Easy to wear, resort style clothing for daytime and smart casual attire for evening is recommended. Comfortable, solid footwear for rainforest walks is essential as is a hat and sunscreen. Also bring a bathing suit, your own snorkel gear if you do not wish to use what is provided on the reef tour, camera, underwear camera, chargers.

Local Currency:

Only Australian Dollars are accepted

Electricity:

Voltage in Australia is 230V 50Hz. The plugs in Australia have two flat metal pins shaped live a ‘V’ and some may contain a third flat pin in the center. We recommend bringing a universal travel adaptor for electric devices.

Luggage information

For the flight between Cairns and Darwin, standard luggage allowance is one piece of luggage weighing no more than 23kg / 50 lbs per bag. Guests can also bring one personal item and one standard carry on size piece that can fit in the overhead bin or under the seat (maximum 7 kg / 15 lbs). Anything additional to this will be payable by guests at the time of check in for the flight to Darwin.

Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)

1. Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.

2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type)

3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).

4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which the cruise line nor our local ground operator be responsible for.

5. Guests should bring with them on the flight any paperwork from their doctor and /or specific details that explain the type of device they are bringing on board. Each brand should have a website with paperwork that can be printed for flight.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

This program takes place within Australia

A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required

Please check with your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality for Australia.

VERY IMPORTANT

The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.

Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.

The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.

If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements.

Aircraft type (subject to change):

Flights will be on major carriers depending on the flight availability and routes closer to the operation date

These include Virgin Australia, Qantas or Jetstar

Hotel addresses:

Pullman International Cairns

17 Abbott St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia

Silky Oaks Lodge

Address: 423 Finlayvale Road, Mossman, Queensland 4873

Phone: +61 07 4098 1666

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.

Program Includes for guests:

•1 night at the Pullman International Hotel in Cairns including breakfast – City View Room

•1 dinner in Cairns

•3 nights at Silky Oak Lodge (Riverhouse Room)

•Tropical breakfast, lunches, signature evening drinks and snacks, four-course dinner menu with matched wines, selected in-suite bar, exclusive access to the Figtree Rapid trails, morning yoga and one return set-schedule shuttle to Port Douglas per day.

•Lunch on day’s 2-5

•WiFi at the lodge

•Excursions per the itinerary

•Economy class flight between Cairns and Darwin

Program Excludes for guests:

•Any additional tours not mentioned above

•Gratuities for drivers and guides

•Hotel incidentals

•Excess or overweight luggage fees above what is included on the flight to Darwin

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.

Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.