Cheerful city hosts gear up for cruise season

As the cruise ship season ramps up, the Geraldton residents who volunteer to greet passengers disembarking the ship for the day are going the extra mile to make sure visitors make the most of their time in Geraldton.

Volunteer Lynn Heere has been a meet-and-greet volunteer for two years after moving to Geraldton from Los Angeles.

“My partner’s grandfather was a volunteer here for years and I was new in town and looking for groups to join,” she said.

“You get to meet so many people from all over the world and it’s just the best.”

Tourism WA estimates the total economic footprint from cruise ships visiting Geraldton was $4.11 million in the past year with $2.73 million from direct spending from passengers, crew and cruise ships in the city.

Charmaine Trezona began volunteering a year ago after visiting the Geraldton Visitor Centre.

“I put my hand up and said I’d do it,” she said. “So many people came here and commented how beautiful this place was.

“It’s just amazing how they even said they met the friendliest group of volunteers compared to where they’d been before.

“Most of the visitors, the first thing they say is ‘Where’s your HMAS memorial?’.”

Jillian Power has been volunteering for almost two years to stay active in the community after retiring.

She said her favourite part of volunteering was having a chat with the passengers.

“It’s just a really positive thing to do, as a volunteer you get to hear great stories,” she said.

“One passenger said he’s had two favourite places on the cruise and it had been Cannes and Geraldton.”

Anyone interested in volunteering as a guide can visit the visitor centre for details.

CRUISE SCHEDULE:

Mon. January 9 — Sun Princess; arrival 0800, departure 1600.

Fri. February 17 — Silver Whisperer; arrival 0800, departure 1800.

Fri. February 24 — Radiance of the Seas; arrival 1000, departure 1730.

Sat. April 22 — Pacific Eden; arrival 0700, departure 1600.

Sat. May 13 — Dawn Princess; arrival 1000, departure 1700.

Wed. June 21 — Pacific Eden; arrival 0800, departure 1700.

Sat. July 15 — Sun Princess; arrival 1000, departure 1700.

Mon. September 18 — Sea Princess; arrival 1000, departure 1700