Cruising is back on

Coral Expeditions hoists flag for industry

A CAIRNS cruise company will lead the domestic industry’s COVID-19 recovery when it embarks on its first voyage since the pandemic forced the sector to its knees earlier this year.

Coral Expeditions, the small-ship operator that specialises in boutique itineraries, will be the first Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) company to restart operations in Australia when it launches a seven-night journey around the Great Barrier reef on October 14.

The itinerary will not only forge a path for the big cruise companies, international brands that are yet to determine how they can resume carrying passengers, but also inject confidence into Far North tourism.

Coral Expeditions’ commercial director Jeff Gillies says the Reef Restart – a program that includes week-long sailings aboard Coral Discoverer designed to be “highly experiential nature-based expeditions” – would also offer a much needed economic boost to the region.

“With our headquarters here in Cairns Coral Expeditions employs over 180 fulltime staff locally being a mix of deck crew, office staff, hospitality and expedition teams,” he said.

“Coral Expeditions injects $15 million in direct spend and more than $12 million through tourism benefit annually into the local economy.

“Our spend includes crew and staff payroll, marine chandlery and general ship stores, fuel, food and alcohol, port fees, hotel accommodation and medical services.

“We traditionally carry over 3000 guests per year through Cairns and they enjoy pre and post-cruise tourism experiences which benefit the local economy.”

CLIA Australasia managing director Joel Katz said it was too soon to say when international cruising could return to Australia.

“We envisage cruising will return in a carefully phased, regional approach beginning with local cruises and this will mean short domestic cruise itineraries first – for Australians only – to help protect Australia,” he said.

“With health measures in place cruises will initially operate on restricted intrastate or interstate itineraries and, at the appropriate time, this could be extended to involve a trans-Tasman bubble or carefully managed operations in the South Pacific.

“Queensland is well positioned for domestic cruising, given low levels of COVID-19 and an extensive network of local ports and destinations.”

When cruising does return, the passenger ships calling on Cairns will change.

Two vessels that were regular visitors to the Far North – Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess and Sea Princess – have been sold in recent weeks as part of parent company Carnival’s standard fleet-renewal program.