It is less than a month until it arrives and many of the 400 volunteers who’ve signed on to greet Radiance of the Seas and its 3000 passengers and crew on October 30 are being briefed on their roles as ambassadors. The army of volunteers assembled in Wollongong is like nothing the cruise industry has seen before and attempts are already being made to replicate it in other cities. But many present at the first briefing on Friday believed it would be hard to copy what is happening naturally in the Illawarra.
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The volunteers come from all walks of life and as they began their training at the Novotel their excitement and enthusiasm was clear. From IRT resident Bill Seay, 87, to full time carer Delene Kay, who recently arrived back in Australia with her daughter Dana Leona and only $100 in her pocket, they all have one thing in common. They are all proud of their city and want to interact with visitors and show the world what a great place it is. During question time they showed how keen they are to be friendly ambassadors in blue shirts promoting the array of opportunities available in the region. IRT Foundation manager Toby Dawson and Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh were all impressed by the enthusiasm. Mr Sleigh also wants to hear from Illawarra passengers sailing on Radiance who would like to wear the blue Wollongong ambassador shirts as well.
“That was the most engaged group of people I have ever come across. Everyone wanted to ask questions and you could hear a pin drop,” he said.
All volunteering roles for the first cruise visit on October 30 have been filled as the focus of attention turns to ensuring that the blue army of volunteers are well-equipped to showcase the best the city and region has to offer.
But with Voyager of the Seas arriving just after Christmas on December 27 and then again on January 18 more volunteers are welcome to help greet that ship’s 4200 passengers.
Friday’s briefing session focused on many things including the importance of the volunteer program to the day's success and the different roles being allocated to volunteer. Some will staff visitors centres at hot spots around the city and others act as tour guides aboard the Gong Shuttle while a good number station Lang Park to welcome all passengers as they disembark buses and get their very first taste of Wollongong.
Meanwhile Ms Kay and her daughter, who has the very rare Rett Syndrome which means she can’t walk or talk, are both volunteering to help others feel welcome. They are the subject of a GoFundMe fundraising initiative set up by friends as they try to re-establish herself in Australia.
Ms Kay felt she and Dana could help anyone on board the ship with a disability with accessibility advice and information.
But she also hopes locals and visitors enjoying the party atmosphere on the day will socialise with them.
Presently they can’t afford a car or a fold up buggy that can fit in a normal taxi so get little opportunity to travel far from home.
“This will also be a great way for Dana to have socialisation and for other people to socialise with her and feel comfortable around people with a disability. It helps remove barriers. We love our city,” she said.
Mr Seay said he was a part of the IRT community and he was also keen to mix with visitors and the community on what he expects will be a very special day on October 30.
Everyone knows there is only one maiden voyage for the cruise industry coming to Wollongong and if we roll out the welcome mat in a way that attracts plenty of attention Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines will want to bring more giant passenger ships to the city and support the visitor economy and and the region’s hospitality and tourism industry.
Previous stories on Royal Caribbean:
- A cruise ship twice the size of Radiance of the Seas is visiting Wollongong twice this summer
- A collective welcome planned for Radiance, Voyager and Explorer of the Seas: Editorial
- Miami based Royal Caribbean Inventory, Planning and Deployment director loves Wollongong
- PHOTO GALLERY - See inside the mega-cruise liner coming to Port Kembla. A tour of Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas as Captain Goran Peterson looks forward to sailing into Port Kembla.
- Royal Caribbean announces tour program for Radiance of the Seas maiden voyage to Wollongong in October
- Interational cruise line Royal Caribbean announces Explorer of the Seas will follow Radiance of the Seas into Port Kembla: Pictures
- More ships to cruise into Port Kembla: photos
- Destination Wollongong looks inside Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas: Photo Gallery
- Calling for friendly and helpful volunteer cruise ship ambassadors with pride in Wollongong and passion for the city
- Radiance of the Seas: big welcome planned in Lang Park for cruise ship passengers
- Kollaras family already supplies beverages for Royal Caribbean's mega cruise ships and is looking forward to them coming to Wollongong
- Radiance of the Seas cruise liner to boost tourism, jobs in Illawarra
- Wollongong's chance to meet the man bringing the largest cruise ships in the world to Wollongong.
- Royal Caribbean and Radiance of the Seas are putting Wollongong on cruise shipping map
- Calling all Wollongong welcomers for the arrival of Radiance of the Seas
Previous stories on Dana:
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
