Luxury Cat Joins Reef Fleet
1
www.sundaytelegraph.com.au THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH escape April 15, 2007 3 + + PUB: ED: 1 2 3 4 Drop 2/12/95 2 5 6 7 8 15 25 50 75 98 dmin dmax PR OOF OK CORRECTION SIGNA TURE: ED AD PR OD 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 45678 C MY K CMYK 3 15-APR-2007 STL 3 15-APR-2007 STL www.sundaytelegraph.com.au/escape Luxury cat joins reef fleet Old salt Hume Campbell has his eyes fixed on new horizons, says Roderick Eime ‘‘I SEE her as a sort of floating beach house,’’ says Hume Camp- bell of his latest vessel, the sleep- aboard MV Ammari, ‘‘somewhere that guests can slow down quickly and relax.’’ Campbell, patriarch of the 80- year-old, Brisbane-based family company Riverside Marine Pty Ltd, has seen the company grow from humble coal barges and tugs to luxury leisure cruising. The laid-back side of this mari- time concern is Fantasea Advent- ure Cruising, purchased by River- side in mid-2006 for a reported $25 million. Fantasea’s activities include a fleet of air-conditioned, high- speed catamaran ferries plying the waters of the Whitsundays and the award-winning tourist attraction Reefworld, where visi- tors can stay overnight on the reef. Novel underwater accomm- odation is also planned. The catamaran MV Ammari began life in 2000 at the Fremantle yards of Austal Ships as the Riv- age St Martin, designed for bout- ique cruising in the Caribbean. Austal designs and builds some of the most advanced vessels to come out of Australia, including the luxurious True North and Greg Norman’s Aussie Rules, and the Navy’s Armidale-class patrol boats. During the Ammari’s official launch in March, its decks were awash with government minis- ters, tourism heavyweights and local business big-hitters. ‘‘The introduction of a new leis- ure cruise ship opens the Great Barrier Reef and the stunning Whitsunday islands up to more visitors, creating opportunities for these destinations to grow even further,’’ Queensland Tour- ism Minister Margaret Keech said at the launch. Every year, two million visitors travel to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living thing. While marvelling at the 2000 species of fish inhabiting its 2000km-long mass, they snorkel, dive and frolic in crystal-clear water and kick around $6 billion into Australia’s economy. Campbell avows support for the Reef’s preservation, and why wouldn’t he? Via the Fantasea Foundation, the eco-certified cruise company allocates more than $100,000 a year for monitor- ing and management of its own activities on the Reef. Those who make their way to the Whitsundays and Hamilton Island, the Ammari’s home port and base, are largely hedonistic, escapist holidaymakers drawn by preferred-travel-agent packages and last-minute deals. But the island’s owner, champ- ion yachtsman Bob Oatley, has well-developed plans for prem- ium resort developments that will bring the exceedingly well-heeled to Hamilton. But just where the Ammari falls into this plan isn’t immediately clear. The Ammari is a modern, well- presented and capable vessel crewed by Australians, but not currently ticketed for internat- ional voyages. It’s not in Orion’s class for absolute luxury, nor the Oceanic Discoverer’s league for expedit- ion ability, so without further modification and certification, it looks assigned for sedate duty in the Whitsundays and the sur- rounding marine park. Its sailing schedule is set until January, 2008 at least — and, if the marketing is any indication, will be closely aligned with the sales teams at several nearby island and mainland resorts such as Day- dream, Lindeman and Hayman. The straight-talking Campbell is no fly-by-nighter or corner- cutter, either. His character is defined by the two generations before him, stamped from the mould of stereotypical hard- working, can-do men of the sea. His first job in the company, he says, was cleaning toilets and making tea. He’s not looking for instant riches or some superfic- ial gratification: Campbell is an empire-builder. With the Australian expedition and soft adventure cruise market still in adolescence, it remains to be seen just how the Ammari will find its niche in the wider scheme of things. The 60m Ammari joins the likes of the Oceanic Discoverer (63m), the Reef Endeavour (73m), True North (50m) and the opulent Orion (103m) in an energetic mar- ket where the players are in deep. Will it, as Campbell believes, expand its influence beyond the Whitsundays to the outer islands and beyond, or will it consolidate its home turf with its staple, three-night, $1500 per person (and up) wine-and-frolic excursions and the occasional incentive group? Only time will tell. MV Ammari Length 60m, 68 passengers in 32 cabins Amenities: Kayaks, gym, snorkelling, spa, pool, three bars, dance floor. Tender: Jet-powered, high-speed, tender/runabout for transfers and excursions. Details: 1800 662 786, www.fantaseaammari.com Cruise: The Ammari offers one cruise a week, departing Hamilton Island and Daydream Island on Sundays, returning Wednesdays. Three-night cruise from $1485 per person, triple share, up to $2394 on a premium deck; includes meals, access to Fantasea Reefworld’s facilities (excluding diving and scenic flights), snorkel and gym gear. 2 Night Sydney Harbour Cruise From $ 378 * pp twin share Murray River 3, 4 & 7 NIGHTS From $ 543 * pp twin share Fiji 3, 4 & 7 NIGHTS From $ 881 * pp twin share Normally $420 Normally $724 Normally $1101 Cape York 7 NIGHTS & Great Barrier Reef 3, 4 & 7 NIGHTS 3 Nights From $ 780 * pp twin share Normally $1200 *Valid for sale to 31May07. Prices are AUDpp twin share & include GST or Fijian VAT & HTT. Limited availability. Reef Fiji & Syd valid for travel 31Mar08 excl special event cruises. Murray valid for travel 01Jun07 to 31Aug07. Cape York valid for travel Oct07 to Nov07. Fiji onboard Bar & Spa credit is per cabin and FJ$150 (3 night) up to FJ$350 (7 night). Prices excl Fuel Surcharges (approx $10pp-$70pp) & Reef EMC (approx $13.50pp). Valid on new bookings only. Conditions apply. CCC14324-STL ✔ Unique & exciting destinations everyday ✔ Focus on the environment ✔ Expert local guides & crew ✔ All meals & most activities included ✔ Superior value for money ✔ Award winning quality & service ✔ Weekly Sailings www.captaincook.com.au See your travel agent or call 1800 005 325 FREE FJ$150 Bar & Spa Credit per cabin * Captain James Cook, 1770. “I had ambition... not only to go farther than anyone had been before, but as far as it was possible for man to go.” SAVE UP TO 35% * Discover ... BOOK ONLINE You’ll discover more with Captain Cook Cruises. Aboard our fleet of explorer-style small ships you will experience close encounters with extraordinary places, superb dining, entertainment, expert local guides and great company.
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Transcript of Luxury Cat Joins Reef Fleet
www.sundaytelegraph.com.au THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH escape April 15, 2007 3
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PUB:
ED:
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dmax
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:ED
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www.sundaytelegraph.com.au/escape
Luxury cat joins reef fleetOld salt HumeCampbell has his eyesfixed on new horizons,says Roderick Eime
‘‘I SEE her as a sort of floatingbeach house,’’ says Hume Camp-bell of his latest vessel, the sleep-aboardMVAmmari, ‘‘somewherethatguests can slowdownquicklyand relax.’’
Campbell, patriarch of the 80-year-old, Brisbane-based familycompany Riverside Marine PtyLtd, has seen the company growfromhumble coal barges and tugsto luxury leisure cruising.The laid-back side of this mari-
time concern isFantaseaAdvent-ureCruising,purchasedbyRiver-side in mid-2006 for a reported$25million.
Fantasea’s activities include afleet of air-conditioned, high-speed catamaran ferries plyingthe waters of the Whitsundaysand the award-winning touristattraction Reefworld, where visi-tors can stay overnight on thereef. Novel underwater accomm-odation is also planned.
The catamaran MV Ammaribegan life in 2000 at theFremantleyards of Austal Ships as the Riv-age St Martin, designed for bout-ique cruising in the Caribbean.Austal designs and builds some
of the most advanced vessels tocome out of Australia, includingthe luxurious True North andGregNorman’sAussieRules,andthe Navy’s Armidale-class patrolboats.During the Ammari’s official
launch in March, its decks wereawash with government minis-ters, tourism heavyweights andlocal business big-hitters.
‘‘The introduction of a new leis-ure cruise ship opens the GreatBarrier Reef and the stunningWhitsunday islands up to morevisitors, creating opportunitiesfor these destinations to groweven further,’’ Queensland Tour-ism Minister Margaret Keechsaid at the launch.
Every year, two million visitorstravel to the Great Barrier Reef,the world’s largest living thing.
While marvelling at the 2000species of fish inhabiting its2000km-long mass, they snorkel,dive and frolic in crystal-clearwater and kick around $6 billioninto Australia’s economy.
Campbell avows support forthe Reef’s preservation, and whywouldn’t he? Via the FantaseaFoundation, the eco-certified
cruise company allocates morethan $100,000 a year for monitor-ing and management of its ownactivities on the Reef.
Those who make their way tothe Whitsundays and HamiltonIsland, the Ammari’s home portand base, are largely hedonistic,escapist holidaymakers drawn bypreferred-travel-agent packagesand last-minute deals.
But the island’s owner, champ-ion yachtsman Bob Oatley, haswell-developed plans for prem-iumresort developments thatwillbring the exceedingly well-heeledto Hamilton. But just where theAmmari falls into this plan isn’timmediately clear.
The Ammari is a modern, well-presented and capable vesselcrewed by Australians, but notcurrently ticketed for internat-ional voyages.
It’s not in Orion’s class forabsolute luxury, nor the OceanicDiscoverer’s league for expedit-ion ability, so without furthermodification and certification, itlooks assigned for sedate duty inthe Whitsundays and the sur-rounding marine park.
Its sailing schedule is set untilJanuary, 2008 at least — and, if themarketing is any indication, willbe closely aligned with the salesteamsat severalnearby islandandmainland resorts such as Day-dream, Lindeman and Hayman.
The straight-talking Campbellis no fly-by-nighter or corner-cutter, either. His character isdefined by the two generationsbefore him, stamped from themould of stereotypical hard-working, can-do men of the sea.
His first job in the company, hesays, was cleaning toilets andmaking tea. He’s not looking forinstant riches or some superfic-ial gratification: Campbell is anempire-builder.
With the Australian expeditionand soft adventure cruisemarketstill in adolescence, it remains tobe seen just how the Ammari willfind its niche in thewider schemeof things.
The60mAmmari joins the likesof the Oceanic Discoverer (63m),the Reef Endeavour (73m), TrueNorth (50m) and the opulentOrion (103m) in an energeticmar-ket where the players are in deep.
Will it, as Campbell believes,expand its influence beyond theWhitsundays to the outer islandsand beyond, or will it consolidateits home turf with its staple,three-night, $1500 perperson (andup) wine-and-frolic excursionsand the occasional incentivegroup? Only time will tell.
MV AmmariLength 60m, 68 passengersin 32 cabins
Amenities: Kayaks, gym, snorkelling,spa, pool, three bars, dance floor.
Tender: Jet-powered, high-speed,tender/runabout for transfers andexcursions. Details: 1800 662 786,www.fantaseaammari.com
Cruise: The Ammari offers one cruisea week, departing Hamilton Islandand Daydream Island on Sundays,returning Wednesdays. Three-nightcruise from $1485 per person, tripleshare, up to $2394 on a premiumdeck; includes meals, access toFantasea Reefworld’s facilities(excluding diving and scenicflights), snorkel and gym gear.
MV AmmariLength 60m, 68 passengersin 32 cabins
Amenities: Kayaks, gym, snorkelling,spa, pool, three bars, dance floor.
Tender: Jet-powered, high-speed,tender/runabout for transfers andexcursions. Details: 1800 662 786,www.fantaseaammari.com
Cruise: The Ammari offers one cruisea week, departing Hamilton Islandand Daydream Island on Sundays,returning Wednesdays. Three-nightcruise from $1485 per person, tripleshare, up to $2394 on a premiumdeck; includes meals, access toFantasea Reefworld’s facilities(excluding diving and scenicflights), snorkel and gym gear.
2 Night Sydney Harbour Cruise
From$378*pp
twin share
Murray River 3, 4 & 7 NIGHTS
From$543*pp
twin share
Fiji 3, 4 & 7 NIGHTS
From$881*pp
twin share
Normally $420 Normally $724
Normally $1101
Cape York 7 NIGHTS
& Great Barrier Reef3, 4 & 7 NIGHTS
3 Nights From
$780*pptwin share
Normally $1200
*Valid for sale to 31May07. Prices are AUDpp twin share & include GST or Fijian VAT & HTT. Limited availability. Reef Fiji & Syd valid for travel 31Mar08 excl special event cruises. Murray valid for travel 01Jun07 to 31Aug07. Cape York valid for travel Oct07 to Nov07. Fiji onboard Bar & Spa credit is per cabin and FJ$150 (3 night) up to FJ$350 (7 night). Prices excl Fuel Surcharges (approx $10pp-$70pp) & Reef EMC (approx $13.50pp). Valid on new bookings only. Conditions apply.
CCC1
4324
-STL
✔ Unique & exciting destinations everyday
✔ Focus on the environment✔ Expert local guides & crew
✔ All meals & most activities included✔ Superior value for money✔ Award winning quality & service✔ Weekly Sailings
www.captaincook.com.au
See your travel agent or call
1800 005 325
FREE FJ$150 Bar & Spa Credit per cabin*
Captain James Cook, 1770.
“I had ambition... not only to go farther than anyone had been before, but as far
as it was possible for man to go.”
SAVEUP TO35%*
Discover ...
BOOK
ONLINE
You’ll discover more with Captain Cook Cruises.
Aboard our fl eet of explorer-style small ships you will experience close encounters with extraordinary places, superb dining, entertainment, expert local guides and great company.
![Snake Bytes · 3/6/2019 12:35:54 PM] As the fleet gathered on the lawn of Coral Reef Yacht Club after racing ...](https://static.fdocuments.in/doc/165x107/5f538bc7f4191846453f1299/snake-bytes-362019-123554-pm-as-the-fleet-gathered-on-the-lawn-of-coral-reef.jpg)
