Cairns is a beautiful city, that's often referred to as the gateway to Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
Featured Cruises to Cairns, Australia
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Cairns, Australia
Often referred to as the gateway to the tropical north and Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, Cairns is a port city in Queensland (Australia), one of the country's four largest cruise ports. It's filled with great dining venues and bars and has a rainforest, beautiful beaches, and gorges.
The Cairns port has easy access to the city's center, the Northern Beaches, the Barron Gorge National Park, the Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, the Esplanade, and impressive shore excursions. A cruise to Cairns may be a fantastic option for those who love visiting handicraft markets, exploring art galleries, swimming in the Lagoon, and doing other exciting outdoor activities.
Several cruise lines, including many luxury brands, offer voyages that either visit or depart from Cairns, where you can spend a day at the Great Barrier Reef, snorkel, scuba dive, and ride a catamaran or semi-submarine, among other adventures. You can discover underwater wonders and breathtaking coral wildlife and enjoy rainforest scenery, creating unforgettable memories for a lifetime. The ideal time to visit Cairns is between June and October.
American Discount Vacations is proud to offer the best deals possible on all cruises from Cairns, Australia. Backed by our "Low Price Guarantee," and powered by our team of expert travel agents, we're sure to exceed your expectations when booking your next cruise departing from Cairns, Australia!
Destinations for Cruises to Cairns, Australia
The following cruise destinations can be visited on a cruise that includes Cairns, Australia. Select a destination to view the upcoming cruises that are available:
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Cruise Lines with Cruises to Cairns, Australia
The following cruise lines offer cruises sailing to Cairns, Australia. Select a cruise line to view the upcoming cruises that visit Cairns, Australia:
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Deluxe Cruise Lines
These cruise lines fit (quality and, usually, price-wise) somewhere in between Premium and Luxury cruise lines.
A country club casual atmosphere can be expected on these lines, as can be elegant accommodations and gourmet cuisine. These cruise lines are a great option for adults looking for a upscale, yet laid back, vacation.
Unique itineraries are often available on these cruise lines, as their small-to-mid-sized ships can visit ports of call that large ones can't get to.
The pricing on Azamara Club Cruises includes select beverages and pre-paid gratuities, while the pricing of Viking Ocean Cruises includes shore excursions and select beverages.
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Mainstream Cruise Lines
Value is a key feature of these popular cruise lines, as they offer lots of activities, entertainment and dining options, along with a variety of stateroom types. Some of the cruise lines in this category have ships with unique innovations like water slides, rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, surfing simulators, bowling alleys, and boardwalks.
Their ships are usually anywhere from mid-sized to very large "mega" ships, accommodating thousands of guests. These ships give the feel of being in a large resort.
Mainstream cruise lines are a great option for just about everyone (including multi-generation families, and first-time cruisers), and typically have great youth programs.
During the cruise, entertainment may include Broadway productions, Vegas-style shows, comedians, and music. Some of these lines have select formal nights during the cruise. Specialty restaurants are becoming more and more common (some which have a cover charge for this type enhanced dining experience). Buffets are usually available throughout the day, besides room service, and the main dining room(s).
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Premium Cruise Lines
These cruise lines enhance what mainstream cruise lines typically offer, by providing their guests with higher quality service and cuisine, along with more spacious public spaces and accommodations.
Depending on the cruise line, the ships in this class range in size from small to very large.
These cruise lines appeal to a more discerning traveler, and are typically more expensive than mainstream cruise lines, but more affordable than the luxury lines.
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Luxury Cruise Lines
When the finest cruise vacation is your top priority, this is the place to start.
On a luxury cruise line, guests experience highly personalized service, a more intimate (and usually formal) onboard experience, gourmet cuisine, well-appointed accommodations, and fantastic amenities. Many of these brands have smaller ships, allowing them to reach ports of call that the larger ships can't, which results in unique itineraries.
All of these brands feature a version of all-inclusive pricing, and some of them have ships with all-suite accommodations. Although these cruise lines are usually more expensive than the rest, they also provide their guests with so much more, resulting in a fantastic value when considering all that's included.
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Specialty Cruise Lines
These cruise lines offer a truly unique vacation experience, with a wide range of possible amenities and itineraries. Some are expedition cruise lines, others have sailing yachts or are coastal ships.
On these types of cruise lines, there's usually a focus on a specific destination or theme. Itineraries are usually very destination intensive, aided by the fact that they're able to reach many ports of call that larger ships can't.
Expedition cruise lines are a great fit for adventure-seeking travelers, featuring exciting destinations like the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica, and the Norwegian coast. During the cruise, there will usually be plenty of interesting lectures given by experts on the destination being visited. Often, shore excursions are included in the cost of the cruise. In fact, some of these cruise lines have all-inclusive pricing. There's a definite focus on the ship's surrounding scenery, as well as opportunities to view wildlife in their natural habitat. Small, but comfortable, ships are commonplace here, with anywhere from basic to very luxurious public spaces, cuisine, and accommodations (depending on the cruise line and ship).
Sailing Yachts, sail-assisted motor ships, offer a really unique vacation experience. Accommodations and cuisine on these intimate vessels can be anywhere from good to fantastic, depending on the cruise line. Destinations offered by these cruise lines may include the Caribbean, Europe, Panama Canal, Tahiti, and Costa Rica.
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River Cruise Lines
Becoming more and more popular, a river cruise is an immerse and destination-focused vacation experience, on a small and luxurious vessel.
River cruises sail through the inland waterways of some of the world's most interesting vacation destinations (i.e. Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America), and provide their guests with a greater opportunity to spend time visiting more unique ports of call than a traditional cruise typically would.
Because the destination is the star of a river cruise, (typically guided) shore excursions are included at no additional charge by many River cruise lines. There are usually many interesting lectures given during the cruise, by experts on the history and culture of the region being visited.
Among the famous rivers that one may take a river cruise on are the Rhine, Mississippi, Seine, Danube, Mekong, Nile, Yangtze, Amazon and Douro.
Azamara is a deluxe cruising experience that's geared towards discerning travelers yearning to travel, in luxury, to exotic and rare vacation destinations. On an Azamara cruise you'll experience extremely high levels of service, gourmet cuisine, and fantastic accommodations. With a country club casual dress code and open dining format, this premium product is a fabulous choice for many travelers. Special amenities that all guests booked on an Azamara cruise benefit from include pre-paid gratuities, bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas. Select standard spirits, international beers and wines are also included (available in the bars during regular opening hours, and not through room service). Guests that are booked in a suite get complimentary specialty dining included!
Carnival Cruise Line is one of the largest and most popular cruise lines in the world. Known for its festive-yet-casual atmosphere, Carnival offers a variety of on-board dining, entertainment and activity options to suit any mood or taste. Carnival's WaterWorks is a fabulous water park found onboard many of their ships. Among the many cruise destinations offered by Carnival are Alaska, the Bahamas, Canada, Caribbean, Europe and Mexico.
Until you personally experience the five-star service for which Celebrity Cruises is acclaimed, you won't know what it means to be treated not simply as a passenger, but as an honored guest. Fabulous service, great food and entertaining shows are all available onboard each Celebrity cruise ship. AquaClass accommodations, balcony staterooms with special spa amenities and access, are now available on most Celebrity ships. Canyon Ranch, one of the world’s leading spa and wellness brands, has partnered with Celebrity to bring you the indulgent Canyon Ranch SpaClub aboard ten of their state-of-the-art ships. Consistently rated as one of the best cruise lines in the world, you simply can't go wrong with Celebrity Cruises.
Costa Cruises enjoys the reputation of being Europe’s number one cruise line. This Italian company has a large fleet that sails Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America, Asia, Indian Ocean, Middle East, Baltic and Russia, and Transatlantic itineraries. Spa accommodations are available on several of the newer Costa ships, and there are a wide range of things to do as you Cruise Italian Style with them.
Crystal, previously known as Crystal Cruises, is one of the world's leaders in ultra-luxury cruising. Their all-inclusive fleet includes two renovated ocean-going ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Extraordinary service, abundant space, gourmet cuisine (comparable to the finest restaurants on land), and excellent itineraries are some highlights of an unforgettable Crystal cruise. Combining the included amenities (fine wine, premium spirits, gratuities, and much more) with their exceptional accommodations and service, Crystal is a fantastic value in the luxury cruising market.
Cunard's glorious ocean liners are floating palaces of art deco splendor and Edwardian excess, surrounding guests with every comfort and luxury. They are the quintessence of luxury travel. With Cunard, the journey may be even more magnificent that the destination. There are currently four vessels in the Cunard fleet: Queen Anne, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, and their flagship, Queen Mary 2. Regardless of which one you choose, you're going to be on a luxurious vessel with fabulous food, entertainment & service.
Award-winning Holland America Line has been among the leaders in cruising for over 140 years. This premium cruise line has a fleet of modern yet classic ships that combine to offer over 500 cruises a year, sailing in all seven continents! While on a Holland America cruise, guests can count on world-class entertainment, a variety of onboard activities to choose from, remarkable service, tastefully appointed accommodations, and fantastic dining. Select ships have special venues such as Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King's Blues Club, as well as gourmet restaurants like the Pinnacle Grill and Tamarind (a Pan-Asian venue that has been praised by Condé Nast Traveler as having cuisine "that rivals the top restaurants on land."). Other onboard venues include several bars and lounges (serving masterfully crafted cocktails), the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, a fitness center, swimming pools, and a casino that offers a variety of games. The Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine® magazine offers cooking demonst
For nearly 50 years, Lindblad Expeditions has been taking their guests on expedition style trips around the world. Through their alliance with National Geographic, they're able to provide a unique variety of special features on their cruises. For instance, all Lindblad expeditions are joined by National Geographic experts, and their guests may be able to use state-of-the-art equipment including bow cameras, ROVs, kayaks, undersea cameras, hydrophones, video-microscopes, crittercams. Some of the destinations offered by Lindblad Expeditions are the exotic Galapagos Islands, Egypt, Alaska, South America, Antarctica, the Mexican Riviera, and Europe.
An MSC cruise is "A World of Discovery" - it features all the caring, personal attention of an authentic Italian crew. MSC Italian Cruises' staff is on-hand to provide guests with the highest level of service. If an elegant and refined atmosphere fits your definition of timeless bliss, MSC Italian Cruises will transform your idea of cruising. Over the past few years MSC has drastically grown, introducing a slew of state-of-the-art vessels to their fleet (including the beautiful MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside).
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is proud to present Freestyle Cruising, aboard one of the youngest fleets of cruise ships in the world. Enjoy open seating dining, where you can dine whenever and with whomever you wish. Don't want to pack formal wear on your vacation? With the resort casual evening attire, you don't have to! All of the Norwegian ships feature a slew of specialty restaurants and entertainment venues. An NCL cruise is perfect for guests of all ages, and includes complimentary youth programs. Their award-winning entertainment options include Broadway-style production shows, world-class acrobats, and much more. The Haven by Norwegian™, available on select ships, is an exclusive enclave for suite guests staying in NCL's most luxurious accommodations. Some Norwegian cruise ships have Studio accommodations, designed and priced for solo travelers. NCL is the only major cruise line to offer year-round Hawaii cruises.
Formed in 2002 by luxury cruise industry veterans Joe Watters and Frank Del Rio, Oceania Cruises is one of the the world’s leading deluxe cruise lines. The finest cuisine at sea, award-winning itineraries and outstanding value define Oceania Cruises’ five-star product and have positioned the company as the cruise line of choice for travelers seeking a truly refined and casually elegant travel experience.
Experience a different and magical way of cruising. Ponant prides themselves in providing modest-sized yachts that will transport you where most larger ships cannot reach. Included on board are restaurants that prepare the finest in French-inspired cuisine, as well as a well-trained and discreet staff whose goal is to provide you with the best service possible. For those who enjoy the luxurious life, some of their ships have butler service (for guests staying in select suites). All this and so much more is offered, along with all the privacy you could ask for. Come experience cruising "A la Française", the tasteful style of this company.
Princess Cruises has taken cruising to a whole new level, with spacious and accommodating ships packed with amenities. You'll always find the freedom to chart your own course. The Princess fleet includes a variety ships, from mid-sized to large feature-filled vessels, and features a wonderful Personal Choice Dining® program where you can choose between Traditional (assigned) and Anytime (open) dining setups to enjoy their great service and cuisine.
The five small to mid-size ships in Regent Seven Seas' award-winning six-star fleet include: the intimate all-suite 490-guest Seven Seas Navigator; as well as the all-suite, all balcony 700-guest sister ships, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager, the recently introduced Seven Seas Explorer and upcoming ship Seven Seas Splendor. Regardless of which ship you choose, you're going to be on a luxurious vessel that's staffed with an ultra-attentive staff and gourmet all-inclusive setup, in which gratuities as well as select wines and spirits are included.
What type of traveler is Royal Caribbean right for? All types! Royal Caribbean is popular with families, seniors, couples, honeymooners, singles, and large groups (regardless of travel experience). Why? Because there's something for everyone on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Royal Caribbean has one of the largest fleets in the world, consisting of some of the most beautiful and modern ships in the cruising industry. Their ships are destinations within themselves! Possibilities aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship include Broadway-style shows, casinos that will make you think you're in Las Vegas, a variety of dining venues, great programs for children, as well as (depending on the ship), innovations like surfing simulators, sky-diving simulators, rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, and much more.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is a 5-star luxury cruise line, providing all-inclusive river and ocean journeys through Europe, Asia, Australia, and more. Scenic Luxury provides award-winning service and exceeds expectations of comfort and luxury with a small ship experience. Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has a diverse selection of dining and beverage options, as well as a selection of shore excursions for when you want to explore land. Wine, beer and soft drinks are included aboard their Space-Ships. Bottled water is provided in your room, and is replenished daily. Their onboard cuisine uses local, fresh ingredients, further immersing you into the destination being explored. WiFi and tipping is included, which are both otherwise significant expenses that you won't have to consider during your vacation.
Seabourn is one of the world's most luxurious cruise lines, offering state of the art amenities such as complimentary welcome champagne, open bars, complimentary gourmet dining and personalized service. Since its founding, Seabourn's ultra-luxury ships have consistently ranked among the very best vacation experiences in surveys, polls and the annual honors lists of international guidebooks and travel critics. New for Seabourn in May 2018 was Seabourn Ovation, sister ship to the innovative Seabourn Encore.
SeaDream is an innovative yachting company. Their two sleek and rakish SeaDream yachts are highly acclaimed by discerning travelers seeking a unique seagoing experience and by travel industry observers everywhere. SeaDream yachting is different from big ship cruising. Unlike cruises, yachting allows for a smaller and more personalized level of service not found anywhere else. You'll be pampered by their award-winning service and cuisine. You can be as active or as relaxed as you want to be while experiencing the ultimate in luxury, privacy and personalization.
Silversea's all-inclusive ultra-luxury vacations appeal to discriminating travelers accustomed to plush accommodations and attentive, individualized service. Distinguished by its award-winning, all-suite ships and impeccable service, Silversea's all-inclusive fares include round-trip airfare (from select gateways), a pre-cruise deluxe hotel stay, all beverages including select wines and spirits, gratuities, transfers, and a special shoreside event, The Silversea Experience, on select sailings.
With over 70 years of expertise in extraordinary remote destinations, Swan Hellenic offers a truly unique luxury cruise experience with its brand-new fleet of expedition ships. The company focuses on guests' preferences and needs, environmental safety, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures, proposing enriching cultural expeditions with unforgettable itineraries to Iceland, Norway, Antarctica, Lands of the Celts, Lands of the Vikings, and more.
Viking Ocean Cruises is the sister company of world-renowned Viking River Cruises. This line launched with one vessel, Viking Star, in 2015, with 3 sister ships to follow (in 2016-2017). Itineraries include 10- to 50-day adventures all over Europe. All staterooms on Viking Ocean cruises have a veranda, so you can enjoy the sights and smells of the open ocean at all times. With a concentration on ports with rich heritages and plenty of local experts to learn from, cruises on Viking Ocean Cruises cater to those yearning to learn as they vacation. There's a great value here, with meals, guided shore excursions, WiFi, select beverages, hotel accommodations during city portions of your Viking Ocean Cruises itinerary (if you purchase a cruise tour), as well as lectures and various live performances all being included in the pricing.
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Things to do near Cairns, Australia
These are just a few of the most popular tourist attractions in Cairns, along with a brief description:
♦ Esplanade
Visit the scenic foreshore, Esplanade, stretching for 1.55 miles in the heart of Cairns. It is free to enter its playgrounds, parklands, boardwalk, and recreational facilities and swim in the saltwater Lagoon, pumped from the Trinity Inlet. This safe swimming spot boasts beautiful sandy edges, shallow water for kids, shady trees for relaxation, and a perfect leisurely atmosphere.
♦ Cairns Aquarium
Located in the center of Cairns, the Aquarium lets you adorn the most magnificent water creatures and see the eco-systems you can only meet in Australia's Tropical North Queensland. It is a great place to see shark feeds or even dive with a shark, hear animal talks, and explore over 70 unique habitats, home to more than 16,000 critters.
♦ Botanic Gardens
If you are spending a day in Cairns, visit its Botanic Gardens and indulge in the tropical atmosphere (the entry is free). Enjoy the beautiful tropical horticulture and flora, take many photos, and relax in the breathtaking surroundings.
♦ Great Barrier Reef
Take a superyacht or catamaran in Cairns to visit the Great Barrier Reef, and spend an unforgettable day snorkeling and diving to get a closer look at the beautiful underworld with bright coral, mesmerizing fish, and turquoise water.
♦ Kuranda Rainforest
Touring the Kuranda Rainforest can be a fantastic one-day trip for those who visit Cairns. This rainforest is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage and can be a wonderful place to see. You can travel to Kuranda by the Kuranda Scenic Railway and return to the port city on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Fill your day with amazing adventures, from adorning butterflies to meeting dingoes and koalas, eating delicious lunch, and creating long-time memories.
♦ Rusty's Market
Enjoy a fantastic selection of fruit and vegetables at Rusty's Market, delicious loaves of bread and cakes in nearby cafes, and jewelry at craft fairs in Cairns.
Average Monthly Weather for Cairns, Australia
Temperature
Average monthly high and low temperatures. Values are in Fahrenheit (switch to Celsius):
The information above is provided for informational purposes only. Monthly statistics are based on the most recent instance of that month. Weather is subject to change and cannot be guaranteed. The data is provided by a third-party and we accept no liability regarding its accuracy.
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