SA: First cruise ship operating out of Adelaide set to arrive

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2009
SA: First cruise ship operating out of Adelaide set to arrive

ADELAIDE, Feb 1 AAP - The first cruise liner to be based in Adelaide, the Athena, will
arrive on Monday morning and is expected to boost the state's economy by $1.3 million.

Named after the Greek Goddess for wisdom, the 600-passenger liner will berth at Adelaide's
Outer Harbour cruise terminal at 7am (CDST) and will sail again at 10pm on a four night
return cruise to Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln.

Athena is the first cruise ship to offer return voyages from Adelaide, with two round
cruises offered during February plus two one-way cruises between Adelaide and Perth.

The seven visits to SA ports during Athena's maiden season this month will deliver more
than $1.3 million in economic benefits to the State through passenger and crew spending
on hotels, flights, port fees, security, fuel and hospitality, said Grant Hunter, the
managing director of Classic International Cruises in Australia.

"Many interstate tourists will also be staying in South Australia before or after their
cruises aboard Athena so the flow on tourism boost for the state is significant," Mr Hunter
said.

Originally a transatlantic liner the medium-sized ship delivers a three-star cruise
experience, with traditional wooden deck chairs, a pool, fitness centre and sauna, five
bars and lounges, nightclub, show lounge, casino, library, boutiques, cinema and two restaurants.

AAP lcs/ss

KEYWORD: ATHENA

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.