| Cruise Whitsundays Fantasy

THE sale of Fantasea Cruises Whitsundays
tourism operation to Cruise Whitsundays (CW
14 Jun) will take place later than expected,
with the deal now set to be finalised on 16 Jul
2012, rather than the 29 Jun previously advised.
Speaking about the impending sale Cruise
Whitsundays said “Whilst we understand the
mixed feelings around the iconic brand
Fantasea disappearing from the Region, the
market is simply no longer big enough to
sustain two such large operations”.
Whilst full details of the sale have not yet
been released, Cruise Whitsundays will take
over Fantasea’s rights to service Hamilton
Island, the two Reefworld platforms on Hardy
Reef, the vessel Charmer, and the land and
marina holdings at Port of Airlie.
During the transition period Cruise
Whitsundays has said that it will offer all of
Fantasea’s Whitsundays key products such as
Whitehaven and Reef cruises “albeit in slightly
different form so taking care of existing client
bookings will not be an issue”.
Cruise Whitsundays also said that during the
transition period it will continue to operate
most of the company’s day cruises and ferry
services from Abel Point Marina “however
there will be some day cruise product and
ferries departing from Shute Harbour”.
“Taking care of existing client bookings will
not be an issue,” the company added.
The cruise line has also said that it will
honour the vouchers and prices for existing
ticketed bookings to ensure there is no
concern raised for visitors to the region.
MEANWHILE Cruise Whitsundays has also
purchased the Port of Airlie land and marina
space where it will develop a modern terminal
and “eventually consolidate the whole
operation” a process which it said will take at
least 18 months to complete.