Related coverage:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The first cruise ship of the season arrived in Eden on Saturday and by all accounts its international passengers were having the time of their lives.
The MS Maasdam, operated by Holland America, arrived at the Eden Wharf to a group of welcomers, interested locals and stalls.
While this cruise was travelling from Sydney, past Hobart and on to New Zealand some passengers had been crusing from Seattle in the USA.
One such couple, Rob and Sue Steele from near Toronto, Canada had spent 53 days on the ocean so far and had already done a loop around Australia.
“This looks like a terrific little town,” Mr Steele said when he arrived at the wharf.
The two planned on looking around Eden and checking out the bay before returning to the ship that evening.
Melody and Karl Gruenhagen of Birchwood, Wisconsin in the USA had hopped on a bus to look around Eden.
“It’s a wonderful town, it’s neat and tidy,” Ms Gruenhagen said.
“Everybody is so friendly, like we’ve found all over Australia,” Mr Gruenhagen said.
It was the first time to Australia for German citizens Ingrid and Fritz Becker, who live near Frankfurt.
They enjoyed going on cruises because they liked the options of exploring land or staying on the ship as well as having different activities on board.
“It’s very convenient as you don’t have to pack your suitcases every day!” Mr Becker said.
“But while you see a lot of the world, you don’t really see the countries,” Ms Becker said.
“You only have a glance at seeing cities or people.”
The cruise was Fred Piellusch’s 28th tour with Holland America and he estimated he had spent over 500 days on the water.
At the end of his bus tour, the resident of Saint Augustine, Florida in the USA could not praise the efforts of the red-shirted members of Cruise Eden enough.
“They’re helpful, cheerful and charming,” he said.
“Whoever organises all this needs to be congratulated.”
One of the highlights of the town to Mr Piellusch was the homemade marmalade he found at a fair on the day.
“No one makes homemade marmalade in America!” he said.