Far North Queensland: 7-Night Great Barrier Reef P&O Cruise with All-Inclusive Meals & Entertainment
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Far North Queensland onboard the P&O’s Pacific Encounter on this picture-perfect seven-night cruise, departing Brisbane on 27 January 2024. Get up close and personal with the region’s boundless natural wonders, spending a full day in sun-drenched Airlie Beach and two days falling in love with Cairns, before dropping anchor at Willis Island. Between exploring the Whitsunday’s white-sand beaches and the underwater paradise of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, revel in exceptional hospitality onboard a ship loaded with enchanting dining, shopping and entertainment options.
Your journey takes you to: Brisbane – Airlie Beach – Cairns – Willis Island – Brisbane.
Dining
- Avalon Cafe
- Waterfront Restaurant
- Angelo’s
- Dragon Lady
- The Pantry
- 400 Gradi
- Luke’s Bar & Grill
- Gradi Pronto
- Luke’s Burger Bar
- Lilly’s
- Charlie’s Bar
- New Zealand Natural Ice Cream
- In-room dining
Bars
- Encounter Hotel
- Ocean Bar
- Altitude
- The Bonded Store
- Blue Room
- Casino Bar
- Oasis Bar
- Sky Bar
- Sunset Bar
- Pool Bar
Activities
- Byron Bay Beach Club
- The Lawn
- Sports Court
- Fitness Centre
- P&O Edge
- Casino
- Adults Only Comedy Club
- Twin Racer Waterslide
- Jackpot Bingo
- Karaoke
- Level Up Arcade
- Theatre
- Elemis at Sea Salon
- Medi-Spa Cosmetics Treatments
- Spa
- Pool Deck
- Pools
- Hot tubs
- Boutiques
Kids’ Clubs
- Turtle Cove
- Shark Shack
- HQ
- HQ+
Surcharges may apply to select facilities and services
Your cruise begins and ends in Brisbane.
Your cruise departs Brisbane International Cruise Terminal at 4pm on Day 1 and returns to Brisbane International Cruise Terminal at 6am on Day 8. Please ensure you arrive in time for boarding.
Roundtrip flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. Please do NOT book your flights until your cruise is confirmed.
When travelling within Australia, please check current state/territory border entry requirements to ensure you’re eligible to travel and have completed any required permits or passes.
Day 1: Depart Brisbane
Welcome to Brisbane. Prepare to fall in love with Australia’s sunshine capital and discover its incredible cluster of bustling inner-city hubs, including the vibrant Fortitude Valley, Kangaroo Point and South Bank. Spend the first part of the day at your leisure, perhaps enjoying brunch at the likes of The New Black, before heading to James Street for a spot of shopping in Fortitude Valley. Your cruise departs at approximately 4pm – be sure to make your way to the cruise terminal in advance of embarkation.
Accommodation: Pacific Encounter
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: At Sea
Enjoy a lazy day on board. Explore the Pacific Encounter’s wide range of entertainment and dining options, including upscale Italian cuisine at Angelo’s and a vast array of Asian delights at Dragon Lady. Alternatively, splurge at celebrity chef restaurants like Luke’s Bar & Grill by Luke Mangan and 400 Gradi by award-winning Melbourne chef, Johnny di Francesco (surcharges apply). Take in the evening’s entertainment with a cocktail in hand at the Oasis, the ship’s adults-only bar, or at The Lobby, the perfect spot to watch the stars as waves pass you by.
Accommodation: Pacific Encounter
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Airlie Beach
If you ache to snorkel, dive, swim, paddle or just laze on breathtaking white-sand beaches, this is the place to do it. Airlie Beach is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, home to spectacular coral displays and brightly coloured marine life. You could also soak up the sun on a stroll along Hamilton Island’s picturesque foreshore, explore the unique tropical environment of the Whitsunday coastline on a calm water cruise along the Proserpine River or take a trip out to the pristine Whitehaven Beach, consistently rated amongst the world’s most beautiful coastlines.
Accommodation: Pacific Encounter
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 & 5: Cairns
Bound by the glorious Coral Sea on one side and lush rainforest hinterland on the other, Cairns is a stunning cruise destination. Choose to ride the Skyrail high above the lush canopy and explore Kuranda Village before taking a spectacular train journey through the mountains. Consider a day trip to the tropical resort town of Port Douglas, with its laidback atmosphere, northern sophistication and prestigious restaurants. Don’t miss your chance to explore the colourful underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef on a snorkelling trip — or treat yourself to a stunning scenic reef flight and witness one of Australia’s most cherished natural treasures from the best seat in the house.
Accommodation: Pacific Encounter
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Willis Island
Willis Island is one of several atolls and cays that stretch across 780,000 square kilometres of Australia’s Coral Sea Islands Territory. Drop anchor around these small islands and islets, and enjoy time contemplating the tranquillity of the region from aboard the ship. While you won’t disembark, you’re still likely to see green turtles swimming or basking in the sun and an abundance of birdlife, from high-flying frigates to wedge-tailed shearwaters.
Accommodation: Pacific Encounter
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: At Sea
Discover more of the Pacific Encounter’s magic with another full day at sea. You may choose a heart-pumping challenge amongst family, friends and shipmates on the Twin Racer Waterslides or at the state-of-the-art fitness centre. Relaxation more your style? Take time to rejuvenate with a range of relaxing therapies at the onsite spa, and after the sunsets visit one of the many nightclubs to dance all thoughts of tomorrow’s end-of-voyage away.
Accommodation: Pacific Encounter
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Brisbane
Welcome back to Queensland’s sunshine capital. Arriving at the port at 6am, you’ll disembark following your final breakfast on board. Back on land, make your way home or to the airport for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast