The Seabourn Quest has made a maiden visit to Brisbane today with passengers spending Valentine’s Day exploring south-east Queensland.

To mark the romantic visit, an array of floral arrangements plus more than 500 roses, including 350 red roses, were delivered to the ship by a Brisbane wholesaler this morning. Each female guest will receive a Valentine’s Day rose at dinner.

Seabourn Director of Sales Australia Tony Archbold said the cruise line sent two of its newest ships down under this season to cater for the growing interest in luxury cruising.

Arriving at the Brisbane Cruise Terminal from Noumea, Seabourn Quest is in the middle of a 116-day world voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Venice. The ship will sail this afternoon for Sydney before cruising back into Queensland waters and calling at Hamilton Island, Townsville, Cairns and Thursday Island on its way to Asia.

In addition to Seabourn Quest’s call today, sister ship Seabourn Odyssey will make her second visit to Brisbane on March 1, 2013, before heading north to Asia following a summer season in Pacific waters.

“With its beautiful coastline and great activities, Queensland is a very popular destination amongst our passengers so we’re thrilled to be making so many calls to Queensland ports this summer,” MrArchbold said.

Seabourn Quest passengers were offered a range of shore excursions in Brisbane including:
•  A 4×4 adventure through Gold Coast hinterland and Tamborine Mountain including lunch on a private property, a visit to a local winery to taste fine Australian wines and a sightseeing drive through the city
•  A visit to Australia Zoo and the charming village of Montville
•  A panoramic drive through historic Brisbane, to Mt Cootha lookout and a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
•  An insight into Brisbane’s Aboriginal heritage with a visit to a local Aboriginal tribe to learn about traditional song and dance and tribal fire-starting.