Cruise Potential Gains Momentum for the Southern Great Barrier Reef

Posted on October 8th, 2024

Senior Executives from Royal Caribbean conducted a whirlwind tour of the Capricorn coast and Gladstone regions last week, specifically interested in the opportunities presented by Gladstone Port for future shore visits by the Quantam of the Seas (5,000 capacity cruise liner based in Brisbane). After networking at the Australian Cruise Association’s annual conference last month, Royal Caribbean’s Australian managing director Australasia Gavin Smith was convinced by Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll and GPC’s Andrew Davis that a delegation should visit the region as soon as possible.

As the Royal Caribbean includes the brands of Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises, Keppel Bay is perfect for the boutique cruise ships (Silversea which is based out of Monaco), while Gladstone Ports Corporation can cater for any size cruise ship vessel, with its improved docking facilities and significant investment in the stunning East Shores and the soon to be opened Auckland Hill lookout.

A condensed itinerary hosted by Capricorn Enterprise and Gladstone Promotion/Development (GAPDL) included a visit to Mount Archer’s Nurim Skywalk, Capricorn Caves, Rockhampton city and Capricorn Coast scenic loop tour (with brief stops at Yeppoon Lagoon and Keppel Bay Marina), Gladstone Port, East Shores, Wards Brewery, Tondoon Botanic Gardens, Town of 1770 including 1770 LARC! Tours.

Our guests from Sydney were extremely impressed with what our Southern Great Barrier Reef destination has to offer and are very keen to see the Quantam dock in Gladstone Port in the not so distant future!

Recently appointed contractor, Gemma Axford to the Australian Cruise Association (ACA) also briefly visited our destination in September, driving up from northern NSW to inspect the Gladstone Port, then visiting with her family to the Capricorn Caves, Yeppoon Lagoon, staying at Seaspray Units and Great Keppel Island Hideaway for 1 night each. This quick itinerary was also suggested by Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll at the ACA conference to combine with an already planned trip to Bundaberg as part of Gemma’s contract work with GetAboutAble.