Willis Island Service Call

[bonox55]

Just a question regarding my upcoming QLD cruise which includes a "service call" to Willis Island. Is Willis Island considered outside Australian Waters and does that mean that the casino and duty-free alcohol can be sold? As we arrive at 9am and depart at 10am, I cannot see the purpose of the "call". Can anyone enlighten me as to what it's all about?

Paul

[OzKiwiJJ]

Yes, it is considered an international port "visit" so that duty free can be sold onboard during the cruise. The actual visit is a cruise-by, sometimes with a commentary from one of the Willis Island staff. 

 

The casino may have other rules as well about when it can open but I'm not sure as we don't go there.

[OzKiwiJJ]

What you'll see:

[bonox55]

Thanks for the information. I knew the cruise critic community would have the answers. Regards

 

,

Paul 

[Aussieflyer]

On 2/12/2023 at 5:26 PM, bonox55 said:

Just a question regarding my upcoming QLD cruise which includes a "service call" to Willis Island. Is Willis Island considered outside Australian Waters and does that mean that the casino and duty-free alcohol can be sold? As we arrive at 9am and depart at 10am, I cannot see the purpose of the "call". Can anyone enlighten me as to what it's all about?

Paul

On a Coral Princess cruise last year the period between arrival and departure was something like 15 mins!

[GUT2407]

On 2/12/2023 at 6:22 PM, OzKiwiJJ said:

Yes, it is considered an international port "visit" so that duty free can be sold onboard during the cruise. The actual visit is a cruise-by, sometimes with a commentary from one of the Willis Island staff. 

 

The casino may have other rules as well about when it can open but I'm not sure as we don't go there.

Without the commentary (often pre recorded) it doesn’t actually qualify under Australian Tax law.

 

[MicCanberra]

We have had a few visits, once the ship had the anchor touch the water as we coasted past very slowly, the other a boat from the island was brought over and was given some supplies (not sure what was in the boxes?).

[patch nine]

The first time we went to Willis Island we stopped for about an hour and had a hook up with the guys at the weather station.  Then they all came out and stood on the beach and waved and it was one of their birthdays so everyone on the ship sang "Happy Birthday" to him.  The next time we passed at a greater distance and the ship didn't even stop and there were no announcements that we were even there!

[aussielozzie18]

On the Carnival  Luminosa in December just gone, the Captain made an announcement that we would be approaching Willis Island.  Then the Reef Pilot who was on board the Luminosa communicated with one of the four staff who live permanently on the remote island.  That conversation was broadcast so we could listen in as we very slowly approaching and cruising past the island, As a finale we watched as the daily 9.30am weather balloon was released.

 For my first time passing Willis Island, it was all very interesting.  
 

The reef around the island looked stunning.  We didn’t get close but from a distance it looked stunning so can only imagine how wonderful the snorkeling would be for those who live there.  Also, there were hundreds of seabirds (mostly Terns I think) flying above the ship as we approached and cruised past the island.  

Yes, the duty free alcohol was then available for purchase 

[patch nine]

The first time we also witnessed the weather balloon and the talk was interesting.  Yes, so many birds in that area - mainly red footed booby birds as I recall.

Edited February 15, 2023 by patch nine

[arxcards]

On 2/12/2023 at 5:26 PM, bonox55 said:

Just a question regarding my upcoming QLD cruise which includes a "service call" to Willis Island. Is Willis Island considered outside Australian Waters and does that mean that the casino and duty-free alcohol can be sold? As we arrive at 9am and depart at 10am, I cannot see the purpose of the "call". Can anyone enlighten me as to what it's all about?

Paul

The casino can open as soon as they are out to sea. Cruising past Willis Island is a qualifier for duty free though.

 

They will usually launch a weather balloon from the weather station. Not sure if they are curtailing this due to recent controversial balloons. 😉

[MicCanberra]

Perhaps some of those balloons can be classed as observation balloons.