Sale of Captain Cook Cruises

Adelaide-based SeaLink Travel Group has just announced the acquisition of iconic Sydney-based tourism business Captain Cook Cruises.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, includes 15 vessels used on CCC’s flagship Sydney Harbour operations, along with the Murray Princess paddlewheeler used in South Australia.

It also includes the related infrastructure, marina berths and licenses – but not Captain Cook Cruises’ operations in Fiji.

CCC founder Captain Trevor Haworth said the deal marked the start of a “new and exciting chapter” in the company’s history.

“As a family business, we have always placed enormous value on our staff, customers and business relationships. It is very satisfying to know that SeaLink shares these same values,” he said.

“SeaLink is the ideal tourism partner to add further investment and grow this business further,” he added.

Anthony Haworth has been appointed General Manager of Captain Cook Cruises, while Jackie Haworth-Charlton will remain as Director of Sales. All of the 300 staff in the Sydney and Murray River operations are expected to be retained under the new ownership.

It’s the latest move in a series of acquisitions by fast-growing SeaLink, which earlier this year purchased the Townsville-based Sunferries Group.

More information in today’s Cruise Weekly and tomorrow’s Travel Daily.