Yes it was an experience to remember. Steve happy holidays.
For those who plan one day to visit the GBR here are a few things that may help things go easier for you. The best reef experience is had at the outer reefs which become closer to the mainland the further north you go. Even so they are a good hour and a half journey by high speed Catamaran. Because of the length of the journey you have to give yourself time as weather can be a factor. i was in Port Douglas for 7 days and 6 of those days the wind was blowing 40 knots not the type of weather for a long boat trip. Not to mention the fact that you would be very disappointed to go there spend all that time and not make it out.
The boats will go but visiblity is not as good and if you have family well we all know what seasick kids are like. Some of the smaller operaters wont take children at all in those conditions.