Athena Adelaide
	Athena Adelaide
	Athena sailing into Adelaide
	Athena exterior

Athena to Boost SA Economy by $3 million

South Australia’s first and only locally based cruise ship, Athena, arrives in Adelaide today – Wednesday January 25 - to begin her third and longest-yet cruise season here, with her 30-day SA program set to anchor $3 million in the local economy.

The classic-styled, 550-passenger Athena, which will dock at the Outer Harbour cruise terminal around 7.30am on January 25 after a five-day cruise from Perth, will offer five cruises to and from Adelaide this month and next – the longest-ever season for South Australia’s growing cruise industry and the biggest ever commitment to the local market by Classic International Cruises.

Classic International Cruises was the first line to ever base a ship in SA in 2008 and remains the only cruise ship to use Adelaide as a home port. This will be Athena’s third season of cruises from the South Australian capital after the success of Athena’s first seasons here in the summers of 2008/09 and 2009/10.

Supported by the South Australia Tourism Commission, Athena’s Adelaide program will provide a $3 million boost to the SA economy through passenger and crew spending as well as stores, fuel and port fees, with many passengers travelling from interstate to sail on Athena.
  
 The 2011/12 summer season for Athena in SA features three round-trip cruises from three to eight nights from Adelaide including the first-ever return cruise from Adelaide to Sydney. A round-trip voyage to Tasmania and a three-night Australia Day cruise to Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln will also be offered as well as two one-way itineraries of five or six nights between Adelaide and Fremantle.

Athena’s Adelaide season will include seven visits to SA ports – more than any other cruise ship - with four visits to Adelaide (January 25 and 28 and February 5 and 12), two visits to Port Lincoln (January 26 – Australia Day – and February 13) and one to Kangaroo Island (January 27).

The Adelaide season is part of Classic International Cruises’ eighth successive and longest-yet season in Australia for the summer of 2011/12, with Athena also based in Perth from December, 2011, to April, 2012.

Athena will return to Adelaide for another five-cruise season in SA next summer, introducing Robe as a new port of call.

“This is our third season in Adelaide and our longest yet and we are proud that we have been the first and only cruise line to serve the local market with round-trip cruises from SA,” said Classic International Cruises Managing Director, Grant Hunter. “With the support of the South Australian Tourism Commission, we remain firmly committed to the SA market to ensure South Australians have a quality, affordable cruise product on their doorstep. Unlike big new ships filled with distractions, Athena offers a return to traditional ocean cruising with personal, old-fashioned service, fine cuisine and a relaxed atmosphere onboard.”

Originally a transatlantic liner, the Portuguese-registered Athena features a wrap-around promenade deck, traditional wooden deck chairs, a pool, fitness centre and sauna, five bars and lounges, nightclub, cinema, showlounge, library, boutiques, cinema and two restaurants. And all cabins have a full-sized bath – a luxury only found in suites on the latest superliners.

Fares start around $175 per person per day, twin-share, including all onboard meals and entertainment. Bookings are available for travel agents.