Cruise reps visit Keppel Bay
Posted on August 1st, 2024
Cruise company representatives from Carnival (including Seabourn Expeditions), Ponant and Scenic (based in Sydney and Melbourne) spent the past few days exploring Great Keppel Island and the Capricorn Coast prior to heading to Gladstone and the Town of 1770/Agnes to learn about potential new destinations for Cruise ship day visits.
Hosted by CEO Mary Carroll, this familiarisation tour six months in the making was thanks to our collaboration with the Australian Cruise Association (ACA), of which Capricorn Enterprise has been a Member for the past two years.
Sincere thanks to our Capricorn Coast operators who hosted experiences and accommodation including Capricorn Caves, GKI Hideaway, Funtastic Cruises, Keppel Konnections, Freedom Fast Cats, Waterline Restaurant/Keppel Bay Marina, High Valley Dawn Permaculture Farm, Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary, The Lookout Woodbury, Koorana Crocodile Farm.
Shore excursions by visiting cruise ships, particularly the expedition (smaller) vessels, is a new market opportunity for the Capricorn Coast region, with Capricorn Enterprise working hard to expose our experiences to both cruise companies and ground handling companies.
Our guests were impressed with the variety of experiences on offer, and the ‘village’ feel of Yeppoon with retail and hospitality on offer, however with jetty and associated infrastructure on Great Keppel Island, accessibility and product development would dramatically increase our options for conversion.
This work takes a couple of years to materialise, but we are hopeful of a cruise ship visit to Keppel Bay in early 2025.
Previous updates are linked here:
https://capricornenterprise.com.au/2024/03/shorex-australia-impressed-by-destination/
https://capricornenterprise.com.au/2023/11/cruise-shore-excursions-in-our-sights/
https://capricornenterprise.com.au/2023/09/cruise-potential-for-keppel-bay/
