Top Deck Club – Great Barrier Reef floating hotel
Stay aboard Cairns premier Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard – Reef Encounter. Enjoy the luxury VIP package with our ‘Top Deck Club’.
Starting your trip in Cairns, You meet your Top Deck Club valet, who is there to make sure that everything you need is at your fingertips. Once onboard Reef Encounter, your valet will show you to your room and make sure that we know about any dietary requirements you may have.
Surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef’s crystal clear waters, this is one of Australia’s most celebrated holidays escape. See the reef at its very best – day and night!
We know that everyone has different Reef Encounter requirements; several packages suit all our aquatic guests. Starting with snorkelling and scuba diving from beginner to advanced.
Top Deck Club Great Barrier Reef Accommodation
- Stay in the best Top Deck Club cabins on the boat and relax with the added extras such as late check-out times and spacious en-suite cabins with ocean views.
- All rooms have Australian power outlets.
- Reef Encounter our boutique floating hotel Staterooms also have their own en-suite toilet & shower.
- Top Deck Club guests enjoy an evening turn-down service for their stateroom.
- Double bed or twin single bed staterooms are available.
Why choose a Top Deck Club liveaboard experience
Top Deck Club tour is tailored to your needs. Everybody’s Top Deck experience will be personalised.
Amongst other things, Top Deck Club includes a crew member just for you! A private in-water Guide for personal scuba dive tours or snorkelling tours. Late check-out times, deluxe 3-course evening meals under the stars and breakfast in bed.
…And so much more!
- Top Deck Club Dining
- A deluxe three-course evening meal, freshly prepared by the onboard Chef for each night of your stay. You may choose to dine privately under the stars or join the rest of the guests in the spacious dining saloon.
Breakfast is served to your stateroom.
- Enjoy an Australian continental or cooked breakfast served to you just the way you like it, or join the rest of the guests for a buffet-style breakfast served in the dining saloon.
- Complimentary sparkling wine and fruit platter upon arrival* (If you’re getting in the water, your complimentary sparkling wine will be served with your evening meal instead)
- Complimentary sunset cocktail
- Top Deck Club guests can also enjoy a selection of local press coffee, tea and juices.
- All meals are prepared fresh daily by an onboard Chef. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Fruit is available throughout the day. All dietary requirements will be catered for – please advise us of these when booking.
- A barbeque buffet breakfast is served on the outbound voyage.
- On your return voyage back to Cairns, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine and a cheese and fruit platter.
- Free luggage storage is available at their offices in Cairns City.
Facilities Onboard
- A fully air-conditioned 35-metre catamaran hotel, designed for the utmost stability and comfort at sea
- Large dining saloon
- TV and lounge area
- Outdoor, freshwater hot-tub
- Spacious sundeck with sun loungers
- Fully licenced bar
- Large, easy access dive and snorkel platforms
- Helicopter pad on the roof for low-flying scenic helicopter tours over the coral reef as your transfer to/from Reef Encounter (optional extra)
- Spacious, air-conditioned cabins – with spectacular ocean views
- Towels and toiletries provided (soap, shampoo)
- All cabins have Australian power outlets.
- Reef Encounter stateroom is one of the few Great Barrier Reef accommodations with ensuite facilities. All staterooms have their own en-suite toilet & shower.
- Double bed or twin-single bed cabins available
Great Barrier Reef Itinerary
Please note, this itinerary is based on a 3-day /2-night stay with Reef Encounter
First Day
Arrive
Unlimited in water sessions
7:30am
Board the transfer vessel 'Reef Experience' at Cairns Marlin Marina for breakfast, check-in and your journey to Reef Encounter
9:30am
Arrive onboard Reef Encounter for your 'Welcome & Safety Talk' before being shown to your room to settle in and relax
10:30am
Water Session: Time to snorkel for all guests before lunch
12:00
Lunch is served in the dining saloon
13.00
Water Briefings: Certified Diver Briefings / Try Scuba Diving Briefings / Snorkel Adventure Briefings
13.30
Water Session: Scuba dive or snorkel time
15:00
Reef Encounter moves to another spectacular outer barrier reef location
15:30
Water Session: Scuba dive or snorkel time. Glass bottom boat tour available upon request
Summer
18:00
Dinner is served in the dining saloon
18:45
Night Dive Briefings
19:00
Night dive commences for all those scuba diving
Winter
17:30
Night Dive Briefings
18:00
Night dive commences for all those scuba diving
19:15
Dinner is served in the dining saloon
20:00
Dessert is served in the dining saloon
Full Day
On the Reef
Unlimited in water sessions
6:00am
Wake-up call for the early morning dive and snorkel session
6:30am
Water Session: Sunrise scuba dive or snorkel time. Glass bottom boat tour available upon request
7:30am
Breakfast is served in the dining saloon
8:00am
Reef Encounter moves to another spectacular outer barrier reef location
8:30am
Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time
10:30am
Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time
12:00
Lunch is served in the dining saloon
13:30
Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time
15:00
Reef Encounter moves to another spectacular outer barrier reef location
15:30
Water Session: Scuba dive or snorkel time. Glass bottom boat tour available upon request
Summer
18:00
Dinner is served in the dining saloon
18:45
Night Dive Briefings
19:00
Night dive commences for all those scuba diving
Winter
17:30
Night Dive Briefings
18:00
Night dive commences for all those scuba diving
19:15
Dinner is served in the dining saloon
20:00
Dessert is served in the dining saloon
Last Day
Return
Unlimited in water sessions
6:00am
Wake-up call for the early morning dive and snorkel session
6:30am
Water Session: Sunrise scuba dive or snorkel time. Glass bottom boat tour available upon request
7:30am
Breakfast is served in the dining saloon
8:00am
Room Checkout
Reef Encounter moves to another spectacular outer barrier reef location
8:30am
Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time
10:30am
Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time
12:00
Lunch is served in the dining saloon
13:30
Water Session: Snorkel only session available to passengers before departure
14:45
Departing passengers board the transfer vessel 'Reef Experience' for the journey back to Cairns. Complimentary wine, cheese and biscuits served on the return journey
15:00
Reef Encounter moves to another spectacular outer barrier reef location
16:30
Approximate arrival time to the Cairns Marlin Marina
*Please note, this itinerary does not apply to 'Great Barrier Reef Deal' bookings.
*Stateroom Check-In time is 10.00am with Check-Out time 8.00am on the morning of departure (access to a shared transfer/baggage room with bathroom is available along with all other boat facilities)
*Top Deck Club Check-in time is 10.00am with Check-Out time 2.00pm on the day of departure>
*This itinerary may vary due to weather conditions or other circumstances.
Highlights
- The opportunity to stay on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is a highlight that everyone should choose.
- Interact with thousands of brightly coloured fish and coral
- Delicious meals
- Night dive for those who are game there is plenty of action at night on the reef.
Included
Top Deck Club Packages Include
- Top Deck Club accommodation including ensuite
- Delicious chef-prepared meals
- personal valet
- dinner under the stars
- breakfast in bed
- sunset cocktails
- late checkout
- evening turndown service
- snorkel and scuba diving equipment
- Sleep on the Great Barrier Reef with Reef Encounter, Cairns best Great Barrier Reef liveaboard
- A personal crew member for the duration of your liveaboard tour. This guarantees a personalised reef holiday, styled your way!
- Late check-out times. Top Deck Club guests keep their private cabin until departing Reef Encounter
- Private guided in-water tours – Tailored specifically to your ability and comfort level to ensure you get the most out of your Great Barrier Reef liveaboard!
- Superior Comfort – See “Top Deck Club Great Barrier Reef Accommodation” below
- VIP Meals – See “Top Deck Club Dining” below
- A variety of spectacular outer Great Barrier Reef locations during your stay
- Glass bottom boat tour
- On the voyage to Reef Encounter, you will have the option to listen to an informative Marine Biology presentation about the coral reef and marine animals
- Free luggage storage facility available at their offices in the Cairns City
- Daily transfers to the liveaboard vessel via a fast catamaran boat mean you can depart for your Top Deck Club liveaboard tour on a date that suits you – and stay as long as you desire. (Scenic Great Barrier Reef helicopter transfers to or from your liveaboard tour are an optional extra).
Optional Extras
- introductory dive
- professional photographs
- scuba lessons
- barista coffee
- drinks
- snacks
- merchandise
What to bring
- Reef Encounter is a barefoot product.
- hat
- sunglasses
- light jacket
- camera
- socks
- casual resort wear
- For scuba divers
- certification card
- logbook
How to get there
Reef Encounter is positioned on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
How to get to Reef Encounter?
The first option if via our transfer vessel Reef Experience that departs Cairns daily at 8 am.
The second option is via a spectacular scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier and landing directly onboard Reef Encounter’s exclusive helipad.
Important Information
Important information for scuba divers
- This information is for all guests participating in scuba diving activities during your Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard Tour.
- Australia has some of the strictest scuba diving rules globally and the safest scuba diving record. Please make sure you understand the scuba diving laws in Queensland, Australia.
- Great Barrier Reef liveaboard boats are regulated by the Queensland Government Code of Practice and comply with all rules including the requirements for a dive medical, where applicable, as required by law.
- To avoid disappointment on your liveaboard tour – we strongly recommend that all passengers complete our dive medical questionnaire before booking as some medical conditions, age and/or medications may prevent you from scuba diving. It is always our mission to provide our passengers with the very best Great Barrier Reef tour.
- We are delighted to help you with any questions you may have. Please contact our office on +61 7 4037 2700 or email our helpful team today.
- Alternatively, you may like to consult your own Doctor for a Queensland Dive Medical using the Australian QLD Standard Form AS.4005.1
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Flying after Scuba Diving
- You should not fly or go to altitude for at least 18 hours after a scuba dive for a single no decompression scuba dive. For multiple dives, you should not fly for 24 hours after your last dive. If Skydiving or Hot Air Ballooning you must wait 24 hours after your dive. We recommend waiting a minimum of 24 hours whenever possible.
JenJF5678
5***I researched many Great Barrier Reef Liveaboards before deciding on Reef Encounter. If you want a liveaboard that is roomy, serves delicious food, and moves the ship each day so you can see more of the reef, THIS is the one for you. I urge you not to wait to book your trip as the reef is dying due to coral bleaching. If this is a dream, make it happen now!*** We spent the first part of our honeymoon diving with Reef Encounters. We went all out and paid extra for the Top Deck VIP Package. It was so well-worth it! The package included several perks such as incredibly roomy accommodations and a guide on all dives. Kiri was a great guide, who took us to the best parts of the reef while pointing out multiple camouflaged creatures. The ship moved twice a day so we were able to dive different parts of the reef. There was a professional photographer on board who took some wonderful shots of us diving with sea turtles! The food was incredible! I cannot say enough about it! It was like dining in a 5-star restaurant with beautifully presented deliciousness! This is not just for those who pay for the VIP package...everyone, including the crew, eats steak and lamb chops for dinner! This was our first liveaboard experience and, from what I've heard from friends and researched online, nothing will ever top it! For those thinking about going solo, DO IT! There were several solo divers on board who decided to dive together. You also have the option of hiring a guide. Happy diving! Room Tip: Top Deck VIP rooms are the best!
Joe F
5As good as it gets!! Everyone was so friendly and helpful as you ever hope. Our personal divemaster mike was off the charts 10 . He made the trip and especially the dives fantastic. The room was way nicer than expected. It was lovely. Food was a big surprise -- fabulous. Like 5 star dining. One of the best adventures we have ever experienced. Will always be remembered. Fantastic!
Erin
5We heard about Reef Encounter through Lonely Planet and booked because they have a Top Deck offering, and one night option vs a minimum of more than 1 night. Amazing! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Shiniee, our valet guide, was incredible and took such great care of us. She even got us to do a night dive despite our nerves - and it was so great! Wonderful room - loved the comfy bed and bathrobes. Good meals - thanks for the vegetarian options! I was so impressed by how well organized everything was. This was my first liveaboard trip and I really loved it. Thank you :) The hot tub was also a good touch!