Escape to the only luxury resort located directly on the Great Barrier Reef. Your stay at Lizard Island is guaranteed to be the experience of a lifetime as you indulge in gourmet cuisine, luxuriate in a well-appointed Oceanview Villa and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes, stunning beaches, its marine oasis and nature abound.
Special Note: 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. Children under 9 years of age are not catered to at Lizard Island.
Note: This program is unaccompanied. You will be assigned a local Regent representative for the duration of your program and provided with contact details once you begin the program should you require anything that the hotel staff cannot assist with.
DAY 1
Disembark the ship in Sydney and meet a local representative who will accompany you on the transfer to the domestic airport. They will assist with check in for your flight to Cairns.
Note: Prior to leaving the pier, any luggage not accompanying you to the island will be stored at the hotel in Sydney where you will be re-united with it on Day 4. Don’t forget to bring any valuables, medications and documents with you. Please pack accordingly before disembarking the ship.
NOTE: Soft sided, duffel type bags are they only type permitted due to the small aircraft to be used on the flight to the island.
Upon arrival in Cairns, meet another local representative who will be accompany you on a short transfer to a separate terminal which is used for you next flight - a scenic 1-hour jaunt to Lizard Island.
Lizard Island is truly one of a kind and nestled within a National Park that is enriched with beautiful and diverse Australian wildlife and bounded by stunning private beaches. And the best part, the Great Barrier Reef is right at your doorstep.
Since your room may not be ready upon arrival (check in time is at 3:00pm) you can enjoy lunch in the Salt Water Restaurant. Luggage can be stored and you can then start exploring the beautiful island and the gorgeous resort.
All meals are included during your stay along with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, wine, beer, spirits, picnic hampers and an in-room mini bar that is re-stocked daily. There are also a number of dining options you can discuss with the reception team on arrival.
Your Oceanview Villa is located along a ridge which overlooks the Coral Sea. You will have access to the renowned private beaches of the island via natural, meandering pathways. Each villa features a private deck with outdoor furniture and inside a king-size bed. There is a maximum of 2 guests per room. During your stay you will have access to your own private motorized dinghy, unlimited use of stand-up paddle boards and clear view sea kayaks, guided tours and walks and snorkel gear.
Optional activities for a fee may include research station tours, diving and snorkeling trips to local, inner or outer reefs, dive courses (limited), full or half day private diving, snorkeling, or game fishing on the MV Duyfken (Black Marlin season is from September to December), turtle or coral-viewing tours, sunset wine and cheese cruise. A complete list will be available at the hotel and reservations can be made directly with the activities staff at the hotel.
The resort has complimentary limited WI-FI in selected areas, limited foreign exchange, postal service, daily laundry service, a first aid clinic, library, boutique, freshwater swimming pool and the Essentia Day Spa (reservations required, additional cost)
DAY 2
After a delicious tropical breakfast, depart on a snorkel tour from the beach to what are arguably the very best sites on the Great Barrier Reef. All equipment is included or bring your own.
Upon your return enjoy lunch and then the afternoon at leisure to do as you please. Dinner is also at your very own convenience.
DAY 3
After breakfast, once again depart on a guided tour – this time with a local expert who will teach you about majestic Green Sea Turtles. Travel to a beach (either by small dinghy or by motor vehicle depending on the location of the turtles that day) where you will have the option to snorkel with the turtles.
Upon your return, the afternoon is yours at leisure to enjoy this paradise. Lunch and dinner are also at your convenience.
DAY 4
Following breakfast, it will be time to depart for the flight back to Cairns and then onwards to Sydney.
A local representative will be waiting for you once again in Cairns to assist with the short airport transfer.
Arriving in Sydney, you will be met and transferred to the Capella Hotel where the evening is at your leisure and dinner is on your own. You will also be reunited with any stored luggage.
DAY 5
Following breakfast and check out you will be met per the flight details provided for a transfer to the Sydney International Airport. For guests with late flights, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer time.
Land Program Details 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.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. 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.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1 – timing on this day will be dependent on actual flight times which could change up to the time of departure
TBA Disembark the ship, separate luggage and transfer to the Sydney airport
TBA Early morning flight to Cairns (flight details TBA and subject to change)
TBA Arrival in Cairns and change terminals with assistance of a local representative
11:00am Light aircraft flight from Cairns to Lizard Island (flight time subject to change)
12:00pm Arrive at Lizard Island and lunch in the Saltwater Restaurant
3:00pm Official check in time
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon to become acquainted with the resort and its spectacular scenery
6:30pm Dine in one of the available locations
Overnight at Lizard Island
DAY 2
From 7-10:30am Breakfast is served
8:30am Depart on a local snorkel tour
12:30pm Enjoy lunch at the resort
2:00pm Afternoon at your leisure to enjoy resort or do an optional tour
6:30pm Dine in one of the available locations
Overnight at Lizard Island
DAY 3
From 7-10:30am Breakfast is served
9:00am Depart on a guided turtle tour
11:00am Enjoy lunch at the resort
1:00pm Afternoon at your leisure to enjoy resort or do an optional tour
6:30pm Dine in one of the available locations
Overnight at Lizard Island
DAY 4
From 7-10:30am Breakfast is served
10:00am Check out
12:25pm Depart the island and fly to Cairns (flight details subject to change)
1:30pm Arrive in Cairns and change planes
4:35pm Flight from Cairns to Sydney (flight details TBA and subject to change)
7:30pm Arrive in Sydney and transfer to your hotel
9:00pm Check into Sydney Capella Hotel
Lunch and dinner on own
Overnight at the Sydney Capella or similar hotel
DAY 5
7:00am Breakfast served from 7am
11:00am Check out time at the hotel
TBA Transfer to the Sydney International Airport based on the flight details provided. For guests with late flights, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer time
Extra Nights:
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 11:00am (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 5 of your program.
Transfers:
•All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 11:00am. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather:
Tropical climate with a year-round temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit / 27 degrees Celsius and high humidity
What to Bring:
Walking shoes, beach shoes, sun protection, swimsuit, comfortable clothing suited for the tropics, camera, charger, hat
Local Currency:
Australian Dollars. Credit cards are widely accepted
Electricity
Australia is 230 volts. We recommend bringing a universal travel adaptor for electric devices.
Flight details between Cairns and Lizard Island (subject to change):
East Air operates the connecting flight between Cairns and Lizard Island twice daily. The scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef takes around 60 minutes.
Luggage information
Guests are restricted to one soft sided duffel type bag and one small carry-on item each. Soft sided suitcases are required due to the light aircraft journey between Cairns and Lizard Island. The weight limit is 25kg/ 55 lbs between both pieces IE - 21kg check-in luggage and 4kg carry-on applies (this is subject to loading restrictions).
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:
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.
If a visa is required:
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):
Generally an A320 Airbus would be used for the flight from Cairns to Sydney.
This is a popular flight route and could be flown with Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin airlines
A smaller 12-seat plane will be used for the flight between Cairns and Lizard Island
Hotel addresses:
Lizard Island resort
PMB 40, Lizard QLD 4868
Phone: +61 1800 837 204
Capella Hotel Sydney
24 Loftus Street, Sydney New South Wales 2000
Phone: +61 2 9071 5000
*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 hotels listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•3 nights at Lizard Island – Oceanview Villa
•1 night at the Capella Hotel in Sydney or similar hotel - City View Room
•Breakfast is included daily
•All meals are included on Lizard Island
•Drinks are included at the Island resort
•Economy class flights between Sydney, Cairns and Lizard Island – direct flights not guaranteed
•Excess luggage storage in Sydney while at Lizard Island
•Local representative to assist with checking in for flights
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Any optional touring during free time
•Gratuities for drivers and guides
•Hotel incidentals and spa services
•Excess or overweight luggage fees on flights
•Any meals not listed above
•Visa fees if required
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.
Please note: 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. Land 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. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Price: $9,799 per guest based on double occupancy.
Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.
