The 63m Australian cruise ship Oceanic Discoverer is tied up at the Ship Repair NZ yard on the Whangarei Harbour while on the hard at the yard behind it is the 55.78m luxury diving launch Alucia. Photo / Michael Cunningham
The 63m Australian cruise ship Oceanic Discoverer is tied up at the Ship Repair NZ yard on the Whangarei Harbour while on the hard at the yard behind it is the 55.78m luxury diving launch Alucia. Photo / Michael Cunningham
A multi-million dollar Australian luxury cruise ship has arrived in Whangarei for work at a city boat yard, but details of the work, and that on an a luxury diving launch undergoing work at the yard, are being kept under wraps.
The Oceanic Discoverer, a small cruise ship at 63mlong and the flagship of owner-operator, Cairns-based Coral Princess Cruises, arrived at the Ship Repair NZ boat yard earlier this week to undergo work. It has joined the 55.78m luxury launch Alucia, which is on the hard at Ship Repair NZ undergoing extensive work.
Ship Repair NZ CEO Henk Eilering said he could not release any details about the vessels, their owners or the work being carried out without the permission of the respective owners.
Kimberley Cruises website - which books cruises for the ship - says the Oceanic Discoverer "offers the ultimate in adventure style cruising for the discerning traveller and will deliver a Kimberley cruising experience never to be forgotten. Oceanic Discoverer's design, amenities and facilities are comparable to larger cruise vessels, while accessing remote regions and reefs that are inaccessible to larger vessels."
It can carry 72 passengers - paying up to A$14,985 ($16, 346) for 10 or 11 day cruises, including Darwin-Broom and Cape York-Arnhem Land - and has features including 36 staterooms, all with ensuite; a large sundeck and spa pool; internet and comprehensive reference library; lecture lounge with large plasma screen; two fully stocked cocktail bars; boutique and dive shop and air-conditioned public areas. Its next cruising season is April to October, next year.
The privately-owned MV Alucia is registered in Panama and was built specifically as a heavy lift ship and launch/recovery platform for diving and submersible operations.
The work is the latest involving luxury vessels coming to Whangarei. Earlier this year, Kiwi billionaire Graeme Hart brought his unfinished 77m superyacht U77 to Whangarei for work, expected to bring millions of dollars into the city.
