Geelong
Friday, 16 January, 2015
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Cashed-up cruisers sailing in By PAUL MILLAR CASHED-UP tourists from America and Europe will cruise into Corio Bay next month on one of the most-highly rated liners in the world. Oceania Cruises confirmed to the Independent that the five-star rated Marina would arrive in the bay on 15 February and that the cruiser was sold out. The push to bring more cruise ships into the port is gaining momentum with the Seabourn Odyssey listed for a return visit on Tuesday and again a month later. The Marina, on its maiden voyage to Geelong, is a major coup for tourism operators as the fully-booked ship will be only two days into a 32-night cruise when it sails into Corio Bay. The luxury cruise ship will carry 1250 passengers and 800 crew while the Seabourn Odyssey has 450 passengers and 330 crew members. Communications director Craig Owens said Oceania was always considering alternative destinations. “Our port operations area is very keen to try new ports and Geelong was an easy decision for us to make and the officers and the crew are excited to be going there,� he said. The ship will anchor in the bay and passengers will be taken by tender to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, with tours arranged along the coast and in the city. Passengers will be ferried to winery tours on the Bellarine Peninsula with the visitors encouraged to buy locally and sample the produce with
their meals when back aboard the liner, described as one of the most sophisticated and elegant ships to debut in the past 50 years. “We offer luxury cruising without the pretention,� Mr Owens said. There was no pretention from Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons about the economic impact the visit would have on the region. “The average annual income of Americans that travel on boutique cruise ships is just under $1million,� he said. “This is a growth industry, more ships are being built every year and more people are going on cruises. It’s the biggest growth area in tourism and I am working very hard to get more cruise lines coming here.� Securing the visit by the Marina added weight to his push for a dedicated cruise ship pier, he said. Regional tourism boss Roger Grant echoed the mayor’s sentiments. “Clearly these sorts of ships bring in high-spending visitors,� he said. However, he said, a dedicated cruise terminal would see ships commit to more than an overnight stay and that is where the big money came into play. Fuelling ships, loading supplies and having visitors stay longer had to be the target, he said “You cannot achieve that unless you have a dedicated cruise pier here. We have a great opportunity here, let’s take a deep breath, forget about the politics and let’s do it,� he said.
METAL PETAL: Daniel McDonnell atop his creation at Geelong Flower Picture: Reg Ryan Farm.133047
Power flower proves an attention-grabber GEELONG Flower Farm wanted a standout sign that showed where it was and what it was selling. Local engineering contractor Daniel McDonnell met the challenge, letting his artistic side blossom by producing an eye-catching display on the
Bellarine Highway. “They wanted a different kind of landmark and that’s what we gave them,� the Steel Alive metal master said. Flower farm owner Glen Butteriss said not a day passed where somebody
did not comment on the creation, planted on site just before Christmas. “The locals say it is amazing and it’s blown them away and it works for us. People from outside Geelong were always asking where we were, now it’s easy to tell them,� Mr Butteriss said. LUXURY: An aerial view of the Marina. GTX Modern Engine 15W40 SKU OA00388
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