Above: The Seabourn Odyssey at anchor in Batemans Bay. Photo South Coast Pix Eurobodalla welcomed cruise ship Seabourn Odyssey for her maiden visit to Batemans Bay with a warm welcome by Batemans Bay Business and Tourism chamber volunteers, in place to answer questions and assist with orientation of the town the foreshore and the activities that had been prepared for the visit.
The Seabourn Odyssey left Sydney on Thursday, with Batemans Bay being the first stop on its itinerary. The ship has 427 passengers and 375 crew onboard for a 13-day cruise, visiting Kangaroo Island and various ports in South Australia, Victoria and Eden before docking in Sydney on March 21.
With 68 percent of the passengers being international, and mostly from USA, the smoking ceremony that greeted them on the Clyde River foreshore was an unexpected bonus that welcomed visitors on a perfect blue-sky day .
Seabourn Odyssey anchored in the waters off Batemans Bay for the day as guests boarded tenders for a short trip to the purpose built floating pontoon on the Batemans Bay waterfront.
Following the welcome to country by Rod Slockee a plaque was presented to ship's Captain Bart Vaartjes by Charles Stuart of the Batemans Bay Business Bay Chamber while Mr Stuart accepted a commemorative plaque to recognise the ship's maiden call to Batemans Bay.
Photos: Julie Stuart The tour opportunities presented for passengers during their visit to Bay included oyster tasting experiences, an e-bike ride with Aboriginal storytelling, a tour of Tilba Valley and winery, a view of the tollgates from a sea plane and most popular of all, a cruise up the Clyde River on the Merinda.
