Celebration Cruises
Cruises, both on oceans and rivers, have been quite popular for a long time. Previously they used to be the perfect avenue for people looking to spend some quiet time relaxing on the observation deck and soaking up some sun. Increasingly however, the cruise has become a time for celebrating and having a gala time. There are a number of cruises, in Australia and around the world, that offer their services as party venues and you can plan parties to celebrate any occasion or event on them. Some of the most important and most popular
celebration cruises are those for wedding and engagements, corporate functions, birthdays, Mother’s day, graduation parties and more.
The Lady Cutler
One of the most popular cruise ships offering its services as a party venue is Lady Cutler in Melbourne. It was laid down in March 1968 and launched at the State Dockyards in Newcastle, NSW on 10 August 1968. She was commissioned soon afterwards on 8 October and quickly made her mark on Sydney's gay harbour life. In many ways she was different to the “classic” old Sydney ferries, but the double-ended style and effect was a similar derivative. She was followed by two almost identical sister ships – Lady Woodward and Lady McKell – on 19October 1970.
The Lady Cutler served with great distinction for 22 years on the inner harbour run and was decommissioned in 1991. Many people fondly remember her as daily commuters from the inner north shore to the city and others as day trippers to Luna Park and Taronga Zoo. Along with the Lady Woodward and Lady McKell she was originally sold to Hong Kong interests but the deal fell through. In 1998 she was sold to Ron Morrison and then to Shannon Harper, removed from Port Jackson and steamed south to Melbourne.
She completed her refurbishment in Melbourne and started her service life again in December 2007. She was re-commissioned on 13 January 2008 by the wife of the late Sir Roden Cutler VC, Lady (Joan) Cutler, who flew down from Sydney for the occasion. Today the ferry functions as a host for special events and offers a number of Melbourne river cruises. For more information on Lady Cutler, please visit their website at
www.ladycutler.com.au
