Celebrations all around as Moonshadow Cruises is awarded a third GOLD Win for 2012. Moonshadow Cruises proudly accepted the Gold award for Major Tour and Transport Operator last night (22nd November) at the 2012 NSW Tourism awards held at Le Montage in Lilyfield, Sydney. This win follows on from the Gold wins at the Regional Tourism Awards for both the Hunter and the North Coast, earlier this year and last year’s NSW Tourism Gold win.

Janene Rees, Sales and Business Development Manager at Moonshadow Cruises was excited to accept the award on behalf of the company. “It is such an honour for Moonshadow Cruises to be recognised by the industry with this prestigious award. Our team works very hard every day to ensure the business continues to improve and to deliver above and beyond our customers’ expectations . I’d like to thank our Directors, Dianne and Peter, for their initial business vision nearly 32 years ago and ongoing support and dedication throughout the years. They are truly inspirational leaders,” Janene stated.

It’s an exciting time for Moonshadow Cruises with expansion plans just announced for the business. Moonshadow Cruises has purchased an additional vessel to expand its already impressive fleet. The focus for this expansion will mean a 7 day operating schedule for cruises in the iconic Newcastle Harbour. “We’ve seen the growth of our business in Newcastle over the many years that we’ve already been offering cruises during the Christmas period”, Janene explained. “Newcastle Harbour offers a unique and interesting story for tourists as a working Harbour and the biggest coal export in the world. We’d like to be part of telling this story to international visitors as well as the local, domestic and corporate markets.” Moonshadow Cruises will be available to do private charters and group events on Newcastle Harbour and will continue to offer the popular Dinner Cruises as part of the full time cruising schedule for Newcastle.

Moonshadow Cruises is a family owned and operated business which began Dolphin Watch Cruises in 1981, sailing an 18 metre yacht which could hold up to 50 passengers. Demand for these cruises steadily grew and today Moonshadow Cruises operates four scheduled cruises plus private charters on three vessels – The largest and most luxurious vessels in Port Stephens. Every year, Moonshadow Cruises carries over 100 000 passengers. The key to Moonshadow Cruises continued success over the years is our dedication to excellence in all aspects of the business combined with the insight and innovation to sustain growth through the ever changing trends of society and the world.