Island Escape Cruises: Kiwi-operator granted permit for Kimberley and Great Barrier Reef sailings
c: Island Escape Cruises
New Zealand Island Escape Cruises has received authorisation from Australian regulators to operate its planned Great Barrier Reef and Kimberley coastline itineraries in 2021.
The move provides potential cruise customers with the assurance that the operator will proceed with its local deployment, which includes the inaugural sailing of its brand new 32 guest yacht, Island Escape.
“After a long process we have received our permits to operate commercial cruises in both Great Barrier Reef and Kimberley,” the company said.
The inaugural voyage of Island Escape is scheduled for 4 July 2021, a 12-night roundtrip voyage from Broome.
The cruise line will then reposition to the Queensland coastline in September for a series of one-way 10-night sailings between Cairns and Darwin until November.
Island Escape Cruises also highlighted that the Australian permit means it is not necessary for Island Escape to visit another country on its cruises, a condition required for some of its competitors.
“We do not need to make [a] technical stop in another country as some of the other cruise lines have to,” the company said on Facebook.
Island Escape will feature five suite categories, including the Owner’s Suite and Horizon Suites with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows on the Horizon Deck, a helicopter and dual tenders for shore excursions.
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