The 60-mtr boutique cruise ship is the former Rivage St Martin that was built by the Austal shipyard in Western Australia. She was bought from her Italian owners earlier this year by Riverside Marine, the Brisbane-based family-owned company that also acquired Fantasea Cruises, now trading as Fantasea Cruising.

David Gibbs, the spokesman for Riverside Marine said that the Fantasea Ammari has had a galley make over and that all the ‘super comfortable’ cabins have private facilities, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV and refrigerators. There is a restaurant, lounge, dance floor, shop, beauty salon and spa, swimming pool, sun-deck and indoor and outdoor bars.

Riverside Marine has also invested in the construction of a high-speed 32-seat tender for Fantasea Ammari.

Gibbs said Fantasea Ammari, which was due to enter service this month, will now commence weekly three-night cruises from Hamilton Island and Daydream Island on Jan. 7. The ship will cruise to Reefworld, the company’s private pontoon, for snorkelling and diving and to Whitehaven Beach. She will also anchor overnight off Hayman Island and Lindeman Island.