Hopes are afloat for busy cruise seasons and a boosted profile and economy in coming years after five vessels booked their berths with Maritime in recent weeks.
The Balmoral and Silver Shadow will drop anchor in Twofold Bay in 2011 and 2012 while the smaller Orion will moor alongside the wharf in November this year and again in 2011 and 2012.
Three visits from the Holland America Line’s Volendam, which brought around 1400 passengers to Eden last year after a scheduled visit to Bateman’s Bay was cancelled, have yet to be confirmed for November and December of this year.
Despite uncertainty about the big cruiser’s visit Eden Visitor Information Centre’s Ed Chenery said two passengers from the Volendam had called with enquiries for a hire car and tour.
An excited Cruise Eden Coordinator Gail Ward said the team has been working steadily all year on promoting Eden to cruise ship industry.
Following her report to the Chamber of Commerce on Monday night Mrs Ward said, “It is really good and at the moment we’re working on port guides and the guide for tour operators,” she said.
With support from the Chamber, Mrs Ward will attend a Cruise Conference in Brisbane in August.
“I’m hoping to make contacts there, more for the future rather than this year,” she said.
Cruise Eden now has a strong online presence on the Eden Visitor Information website www.visiteden.com.au.