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New cruise liner for Adelaide and regions

3 February 2009

A passenger liner that will offer cruises out of Adelaide - the 600-passenger Athena - has docked at Adelaide's Outer Harbor for the first time.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith, who has holidayed on the ship, says the Athena will entice a new breed of visitors to South Australia and provide an estimated $1.3 million boost to the economy.

The ship will cruise out of Adelaide to Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln, as well as embark on one-way cruises between Adelaide and Perth, visiting South Australian ports seven times this season.

"I announced in February last year that a major passenger ship, owned by Classic International Cruises, would be based at Outer Harbor for the first time from early 2009,' Minister Lomax-Smith says.

"I am delighted that this has become a reality with the arrival of the Athena to launch its maiden season in South Australia.

"It's terrific that Classic International Cruises is announcing plans to expand their cruise program for the 2009-10 season, adding another two services to and from Adelaide.

"This will bring more visitors to our State and, in particular, our regional areas."

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the announcement is a vote of confidence in South Australia as a leading cruise destination.

"This venture has the strong support of the South Australian Government because we see value in growing the 'Southern Ocean Cruising' concept for Adelaide and regional South Australia.

"In 2005-06, our last record year, 14 cruise ships brought 13,300 passengers and 6,600 crew to our shores, injecting up to $2.5 million into the State's economy.

"This season we are expecting 21 cruise ships carrying up to 23,000 passengers and 9,300 crew, outstripping our previous record year.

"The Athena will give tourists the chance to cruise the State's stunning coastlines as well as Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf.

"This is an exciting new product to add to South Australia's tourism industry; one that will offer visitors a unique way to see more of our State.

"The Athena will provide our regional ports with enormous benefits and will help us in our goal of reaching $6.3 billion in visitor expenditure by 2014."

Originally a transatlantic liner, the 16,200-ton Athena features a wrap-around promenade deck, traditional wooden deck chairs, a pool, fitness centre, five bars and lounges, a casino, library, boutiques, cinema and formal and casual restaurants.

Adelaide-based tourism operator, Proud Australia Group, will market and sell the cruise holiday packages, along with land-based tours to key South Australian tourism destinations such as the Flinders Ranges, the Murray River, wine regions and the Outback.

To enquire about the Athena cruises, contact Proud Australia Holidays National Cruise Booking Centre on (08) 8311 1196 or Toll Free on 1300 854 897.