What is larger than the Great Wall of China and the only living thing on earth visible from space?  Answer:  The Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

This March, Crystal Cruises is introducing a new opportunity to explore this region's remarkable sea life, rainforests and wildlife via a three-night "Great Barrier Reef Escape" Extended Land Program available before and after four Crystal Symphony voyages beginning or ending in Sydney, Australia.  The program flies guests more than 1,200 miles from Sydney to Cairns to some of the most breathtaking locations on the Australian coast, including:

• The Great Barrier Reef – Guests can swim and snorkel, or view the abundant coral and sea life via the underwater theater or a semi-submersible vessel.  The reef comprises more than 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays developed over centuries of natural evolution.
  
• World Heritage Rain forestation Nature Park – Guests will explore lush tropical rainforest and visiting resident crocodiles, wombats, wallabies, snakes, dingoes and kangaroos.
  
• Kuranda Scenic Railway – From the rainforest back to Cairns, and traveling at 34 kilometers above sea level, the rail showcases the region's rainforests, plus steep ravines and cascading waterfalls and rivers.

"Australia's environmental culture is fundamental to its heritage and lifestyle," says John Stoll, director, land programs.  "With continuing comfort and ease, the escorted Great Barrier Reef program allows Crystal guests to more deeply explore one of the earth's most spectacular natural gifts." 

The three-night optional land program is offered post-cruise for Crystal Symphony's February 28, Los Angeles-Sydney cruise and March 30 Auckland-Sydney cruise; pre-cruise with the March 18 Sydney-Auckland and April 11 Sydney-Singapore voyages.  Accommodations at Sydney's Intercontinental and Cairns' Shangri-La hotels and air transportation from Sydney are included.

The "Great Barrier Reef Escape" land option, including flights, hotel accommodations, many meals, tours, transfers and more, starts at $3,699 per person, double occupancy.  Two-for-One cruise fares for applicable voyages start at $3,790 per person, double occupancy, and include up to $1,000 per person All Inclusive – As You Wish shipboard credits.  The March and April voyages also include complimentary airfare from more than 20 North America gateways.