THE sun was shining, the sky was blue and it couldn't have been a better welcome for P&O Cruises' Pacific Dawn - the first cruise ship to visit the Whitsundays since Cyclone Debbie.
About 2000 passengers were greeted by a carnival atmosphere as they went ashore on April 13 with live music, smiling ambassadors and the welcome mat well and truly out.
In a gesture of goodwill and support for the Whitsunday region, which hosts 30 P&O cruise ship calls each year, the P&O Pacific Partnership donated $10,000 to the cyclone recovery efforts.
This month, 6000 P&O travellers will arrive in the Whitsundays on Pacific Dawn's three scheduled calls, with the next due on April 27. An estimated $250,000 is injected into the local economy from each visit.
NOW is the perfect time to take an autumn break in the Whitsundays with warm days, balmy nights, and some fantastic deals on offer.
It's business as usual at Mantra Club Croc and Mantra Boathouse Apartments following a swift clean-up in the wake of the cyclone.
Mantra Club Croc is offering a Stay and Save package with rooms starting from $107 a night for a Garden Deluxe Room (minimum three night stay; total cost $321). Valid for sale until September 30 and for travel until March 31 next year.
Mantra Boathouse Apartments has rates starting from $279 a night for a two-bedroom apartment (minimum three-night stay; total cost $837). This offer is valid for sale and travel until September 30.
BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort has also re-opened after owner Greg McKinnon and his team of 34 staff worked tirelessly to get the resort back to its former glory.
The resort's tropical gardens were the worst hit from the massive winds and 200-300 truckloads of vegetation were removed from the site.
"Although it's not quite the same, we certainly have a lot more sun coming in to the camping sites! Luckily it will all grow back," Mr McKinnon said
