TOURISM TREBLE FOR FANTASEA ADVENTURE CRUISING

Fantasea Adventure Cruising took out the treble at the 2009 Tourism Whitsunday Awards, winning awards in the three categories the company contested.

Winner of the Best Tourism Attraction Award was Fantasea's Reefworld day tours to Hardy Reef Reefworld which features include a large underwater viewing observatory, secure diving areas, large sundeck and viewing area, change rooms, fresh water showers, children's swimming enclosures and extensive shaded areas.

Fantasea's Reefworld, featuring Australia's only Great Barrier Reef sleepover, was the winner of the Unique Accommodation Award.

The ultimate in Barrier Reef experiences, Reefsleep offers fully catered overnight accommodation on Hardy Reef, 51 nautical miles offshore.

The company also took out the award for Best Major Tour and/or Transport Operator, recognition of the level of service provided by Fantasea's fleet of high speed multi-hulled boats which plies between the Whitsunday islands.

Fantasea Adventure Cruising is a Queensland owned company, being part of the Riverside Marine group operated by the Campbell family in Brisbane.

(Pic Caption – Left to Right; Fantasea staff Tiffany Brett, John Dyson, Michelle Rynne, Michael Moran, Heather Thatcher, Jamie Ashton and Sarah Adams celebrate their tourism awards success. Please credit Whitsunday Times )

Fantasea Adventure Cruising offers a range of holiday experiences as diverse as the reef itself.

The Whitsundays are a group of 74 tropical islands in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef on the Queensland Coast, approximately 1000km north of Brisbane and 250km south of Townsville. Fantasea Adventure Cruising is based on the mainland at Shute Harbour, providing the main access point to the islands and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

From the rainbow colours of the coral and marine life on the Great Barrier Reef, the soft silica sand of Whitehaven Beach and the crystal clear waters of the Whitsundays, Fantasea Adventure Cruising offers travellers the most choices of discovering the beauty of the Whitsundays. With an extensive timetable, a wide choice of cruises and regular daily departures from Shute Harbour, Daydream Island Resort and Spa and Hamilton Island Marina and Airport, visitors can see it all.

Its day trips to Reefworld, Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsunday Islands aboard a large air-conditioned catamaran provide a lasting holiday memory for the whole family.

At Reefworld, the largest Australian-owned offshore facility on the Great Barrier Reef, visitors can experience the wonderful colour and beauty of the reef from the safety of a dive platform, from a semi-submersible submarine or an underwater observatory. With change rooms, fresh water showers, large open sun-decks and extensive shaded areas. Optional extras include scuba diving (PADI) for both first time and certified divers, guided snorkel tours with reef interpreters and helicopter scenic flights over world-famous Heart Reef. Club Seahorse, a free kid’s club, provides entertainment for young children and allows parents to enjoy some time together. Reefworld at Hardy Reef is a healthy platform reef which allows for sheltered and protected snorkelling and swimming conditions year round. The Great Barrier Reef full day cruise includes morning and afternoon tea, a daily lunch selection based on local produce including seafood, carved meats and salads.

From Reefsleep, located 51 nautical miles from the coast on Hardy Reef, a fortunate few can admire the intensity of the stars, witness the vibrancy of the reef at night and marvel at the spectacle of an orange-lit sunset. Two days and one night spent aboard the Reefworld platform provide a totally unique opportunity to unwind in the solitude and peaceful tranquillity of Reefsleep.

A maximum of six guests at any one time are accommodated in either a king room for two or bunk room for four with their own personal Fantasea host catering to their needs. A Reefsleep experience includes an alfresco dinner with wine under the stars, an early morning snorkel or dive, full breakfast and two buffet lunches

Voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world and a Whitsunday icon, the four hour Whitehaven Beach cruise enables visitors to wander along seven kilometres of pure white, glistening silica sand, enjoy the unspoiled, natural beauty of the beach and go swimming in its turquoise waters.

Fantasea Adventure Cruising has an extensive ferry schedule with regular services from Shute Harbour, Hamilton Island Marina, Hamilton Island Airport and Daydream Island Resort and Spa. Our schedule is designed to transport passengers to and from all arriving and departing flights from Hamilton Island Airport. Or hop on a ferry on the mainland and spend a day exploring the island resorts.

Fantasea Adventure Cruising is an advanced eco-certified operator offering a genuine eco-tourism experience. Eco tourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation. Fantasea Foundation is the marine research arm of Fantasea and is involved in monitoring reef health and the impact of Fantasea activities on the Great Barrier Reef and assists with monitoring the Marine Park for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Association (GBRMPA) and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).

Based at Newstead, Brisbane on the Brisbane River the MV Fantasea Ammari is an all inclusive boutique cruising experience available for corporate or private charter.

The 60 metre cruising catamaran offers 4 decks and 32 cabins for a maximum of 64 guests overnight or 200 guests for a day or evening function. The elegant Ammari offers cruising options on the Picturesque Brisbane River or to Moreton Bay which covers over 3,400 square kilometres. Moreton Bay is an ecologically significant marine park that offers some of the largest sand islands in the world, is home to over 70 pristine beaches, numerous freshwater springs, inland lakes, and many species of native Australian wildlife.

For enquiries contact Steve Neale, Sales & Marketing Manager on 61 7 4967 5430, email sneale@fantasea.com.au or Karen Maher, Sales Executive on 61 7 3852 0983, email karen.maher@riversidemarine.com.au.
Website www.fantasea.com.au

Friday Night Moonlight River Escape Aboard MV Fantasea Ammari

A fortnightly Friday night cruise aboard a 60m cruising catamaran now provides a tranquil, Friday night idyll allowing Brisbane residents and visitors to enjoy the lights of the city skyline.

The two and a half hour cruises aboard the boutique cruise ship MV Fantasea Ammari include a two course meal with beer, wine and soft drinks and are priced at AUD$120 per head.

Enabling guests to enjoy the tranquillity of the river and admire the city lights, the cruises leave Skyring Terrace at Newstead at 6.30pm and return at 9.00pm with a jazz band on board providing entertainment.

The menu of tempura fish, tandoori chicken breast and lamb and rosemary sausage kebabs with a choice of salads is complemented by a selection of Sirromet white, red and sparkling wines and a range of beers.

The 60 metre MV Fantasea Ammari, which has previously cruised the Mediterranean and the Whitsundays, boasts four decks including an expansive, open sun deck which allows guests to fully appreciate Brisbane at night from the river.

The ship can host 270 guests while cruising the river or 180 in Moreton Bay.

It has four star accommodation for 64 guests in 32 spacious, air conditioned cabins equipped with ensuite bathrooms, bar fridge and plasma television screens and can be chartered for corporate or private events.

The ship is part of the Fantasea Adventure Cruising fleet which is owned and operated by the Campbell Family under the company Riverside Marine with headquarters situated on the Brisbane River in Newstead.

For reservations or further information call 07 3426 2520 or email ammari.reservations@fantasea.com.au

Weekend sailings from Brisbane with luxury boutique cruise ship Fantasea Ammari

The boutique cruise ship MV Fantasea Ammari has added a new dimension to Brisbane getaways with a series of weekend itineraries highlighted by a three day Easter Escape.

The 60 metre, four deck cruising catamaran accommodates 64 passengers in 32 spacious, luxuriously equipped, air conditioned cabins complete with ensuite bathrooms and plasma television screens and has previously cruised the Mediterranean and the Whitsundays.

Now based in Brisbane, the ship will cruise Moreton Bay taking in Tangolooma, Stradbroke and the wrecks with itineraries that include a three day Easter Escape from April 10-12, Mother’s Day cruise options (May 2-3), a cruise over the Queen’s Birthday weekend (June 6-8) and Father’s Day weekend (September 5-6).

The Ammari will also become a luxury viewing platform for Brisbane’s Riverfire Festival, being anchored in the river during the September celebrations

The ship will be available for corporate charters and events and be a familiar sight at special events in the South East.

Ammari will cruise to Townsville for the V8 Supercars race in July, to Sydney Harbour for Christmas, the Boxing Day start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and New Year’s Eve cruises before returning to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions.

MV Fantasea Ammari CEO Angus Campbell said that the presence of the ship in Brisbane would enable people to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of Moreton Bay and surrounding areas as never before.

For reservations or further information call 07 3852 0945 or email ammari.reservations@fantasea.com.au

Low bookings prompt Fantasea Ammari withdrawal

Source: Seatrade Insider

Low forward bookings and increasing operating costs are behind the decision to withdraw the Great Barrier Reef cruise ship Fantasea Ammari from service on the eve of Australia’s peak holiday season.

Reservations manager Matt Raymant said the 68-passenger ship also needs some ‘unplanned basic maintenance’ and will go into drydock after its final voyage for the year on October 31.

Fantasea Ammari is the former Rivage St Martin that was built by the Austal shipyard in Western Australia. It was bought by family-owned Brisbane-based Riverside Marine from Ustica Lines in 2006 and has been operating three- and four-night cruises from Hamilton Island.

Raymant said that Riverside Marine, which also owns the day cruise operation Fantasea Cruises and the Reefworld pontoon, plans to launch new itineraries for Fantasea Ammari in the New Year.

‘We are looking at new destinations on the east coast of Australia,’ he said.

Cruise The Whitsundays And Stay Free At Hamilton Island

Fantasea Adventure Cruising has added two nights on Hamilton Island at no extra charge to its four night MV Fantasea Ammari cruise of the Whitsunday islands to create a seven day cruise-and-stay package.

The elegant 60 metre cruising catamaran departs Hamilton Island on varying itineraries which include visits to Whitehaven Beach, Blue Pearl Bay off Hayman Island, Whitsunday Island and Fantasea's Reefworld 'floating pontoon' on the outer Great Barrier Reef.

All cabins on the boutique cruise ship, which accommodates 64 passengers and 23 crew, are air conditioned with ensuite bathroom, flat screen TV and bar fridge.

Other Ammari features include a swimming pool, day spa and hair and beauty salon, gymnasium equipment, boutique, Sun Deck Bar, and a DVD and book library. Tariffs include all on-board meals and watersport activities.

Accommodation on Hamilton Island post-cruise is at the recently refurbished four star Reefview Hotel. Cost is Aud$2460 per person. The package is valid for bookings made by October 31 and is valid for travel until December 12.

For more information go to www.fantaseammari.com or book on (Aus only)1800 662 786.

New Departure and Rates for MV Fantasea Ammari

From Friday 21 March, the MV Fantasea Ammari will be offering a new four night cruise around the Whitsundays. Take a mini-break and spend four unforgettable nights cruising on the calm waters of the Whitsundays, snorkelling by day and dining under the stars by night. The perfect weather arrives in March with crystal clear days, warm waters and average daytime temperatures of 28C.

Departing Hamilton Island every Friday, the 32-cabin boutique cruise ship visits famous Whitehaven Beach, the Great Barrier Reef and many other beautiful sandy coves and pristine swimming beaches around the 74 islands.

Optional three night cruise including meals and many activities is $1995 twin share per person while the new four night cruise is $2460 per person twin share. Fly to Hamilton Island or Whitsunday Coast airports on Virgin or Jetstar, drive or QRail to Proserpine. For bookings visit www.fantaseaammari.com or call 1800 662 786.