Cruise Development Programs

for Destinations & Operators

As cruise visitation across Australia and New Zealand continues to grow, regional operators have a valuable opportunity to capture this expanding market by creating immersive, trade ready shore experiences that meet the expectations of international cruise lines.

At Tonic Tourism Solutions, we provide practical, targeted support to help operators and destinations engage successfully with the cruise trade. With deep experience across the cruise distribution network, from ground handlers to cruise line product teams, we help you strengthen trade relationships, build reputation, and ensure your experiences are market ready.

We work with you to position your region as a must visit stop for international cruise passengers, developing experiences that run smoothly, deliver strong commercial outcomes, and showcase the authentic stories that make your destination unforgettable.

Our Services

  • City skyline with tall skyscrapers, including a building with tinted glass, framed by palm trees and trees in the foreground, with people visible at the bottom.

    Cruise Accelerator Program - For Ports, Tourism Bodies & Councils

    You’ve invested in world-class infrastructure and destination marketing. But are you truly cruise ready?

    Cruise lines look for more than deep water and beautiful coastlines, they need destinations that are coordinated, connected, and commercially compelling. The Cruise Accelerator Program by Tonic Tourism Solutions helps destinations fast-track their readiness to attract, retain, and grow cruise visitation with confidence.

    This program provides strategic, data-driven support to strengthen cruise positioning, build industry alignment, and identify high-impact opportunities for economic growth through the cruise sector.

    Who It’s For

    Ports, local councils and tourism organisations who:

    Want to position their destination as a preferred cruise call or home port

    Need guidance on developing a coordinated cruise strategy or master plan

    Are ready to build trade relationships and attract new cruise itineraries

    Seek expert insight into cruise industry structures, buyer expectations and trends

    Next Steps

    This is a collaborative engagement tailored to your region’s goals and cruise potential.


    If you’re ready to accelerate your destination’s readiness and strengthen your cruise strategy - connect with us now!

  • Large cruise ship named Majestic Princess sailing in the water near San Francisco, with the city skyline visible in the background during sunset.

    Cruise Ready Bootcamp

    A focused, expert-led pathway to becoming cruise-market ready in just 4 weeks.

    Our Cruise Ready Bootcamp is a practical online program designed for tourism operators who want to confidently engage the cruise sector. In four structured sessions, participants learn what the cruise market expects, how to shape a cruise-suitable product, and how to approach the trade in a way that leads to real conversations and opportunities.

    This program is built to move operators from “interested” to “ready” with clear positioning, tangible improvements to product and trade materials, and a practical plan for next steps.

    Who it’s for?

    Tourism operators (tours, attractions, experiences, venues) wanting to access cruise visitors

    Businesses unsure where to start with cruise trade expectations

    Operators seeking to improve product readiness, pricing/operations, and trade approach

    Regional groups or clusters who want consistent capability uplift across members

    What makes this different

    This is not a “webinar series.” It’s a guided readiness sprint:

    Clear, structured pathway (insights → product → trade → collaboration)

    Practical tools and templates to reduce guesswork

    Feedback and coaching to sharpen how participants present to cruise stakeholders

    Built around what the cruise trade needs to confidently sell/choose a product

Enquire Now

Why Cruise Trade Matters Now

Cruise lines are actively sourcing authentic, well-timed, sustainable experiences that appeal to a diverse international market. With new itineraries, more port calls, and stronger demand for regional product, now is the time to make your destination cruise ready and ensure your operators are trade-fit for long-term success.

Let’s Get Your Product Cruise Ready

We help operators across Australia and New Zealand thrive in the cruise market by helping local operators understand just how to deliver exceptional, bookable experiences buyers can trust.

Enquire to Learn more

Cruise Testimonials

The BEDA Cruise Accelerator program was the perfect length and struck the right balance for someone juggling the demands of running a small business. Tyler and Sharon’s deep knowledge of the cruise industry directly guided the development of my product, and their mix of hands-on support and hands-off space was exactly what I needed. It’s only the beginning of my journey into this market, but I now feel informed, confident, and equipped with the tools to pursue what I hope will be a rewarding new opportunity for my business.

Kylie Taylor, Straddie Brewing Co

Your dedication, industry-specific knowledge, and genuine passion were exactly what Brisbane needed to elevate our approach to cruise. You both brought clarity, momentum, and a fresh perspective to a space that’s long been in need of strategic focus.

What stood out most was how deeply you listened and tailored your approach to the real needs of our region. You helped connect the dots across stakeholders and inspired confidence in what cruise could become for Brisbane, not just another stop, but a destination in its own right.

If other regions are considering the program, my only advice is this: dive in headfirst. You won’t find a more committed or capable duo to help navigate those waters.

Pete Myers, Pineapple Tour

Thank you to you and Sharon for such a well-delivered and thoughtful program. I really appreciated the way the sessions were structured—everything was clear, engaging, and most importantly, relevant.

What stood out to me was just how practical the whole course was. The three key tasks we completed were all genuinely useful and not just exercises for the sake of ticking a box. It’s rare to finish a program with resources you’ll actually use in your business, but this one delivered exactly that.

Meeting the ground handlers face-to-face was another standout. Having the chance to speak with them directly gave us a much clearer understanding of what they’re looking for. That part of the program really brought everything together.

Katrina White, White Ridge Farm


Participating in the BEDA Showcase was not only energising but affirming. The space created for honest exchange, big ideas, and future-thinking around creative industries was incredibly valuable. It was refreshing to be part of something that centred regional voices while inviting strong, practical frameworks for future development.

Suzanne Goodchild, Birrunga Gallery

Thank you for the effort you and Sharon put into organising the yesterday event and for working so closely with the local suppliers in preparation for potential shore excursion opportunities.

The structure of the event, including the one-on-one meetings, was effective, allowing for quick conversations with operators and insight into their offerings, so it was helpful.

It’s clear there are some strong concepts and promising products that could be developed further for inclusion in our shorex programs. We’re excited about the potential ahead and look forward to continuing the dialogue with both you and the suppliers to bring some of these ideas to life.

Agnieszka Lotocka, Intercruises

Thanks so much for the invitation! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying the event. The setup was great — everything was well laid out and easy to navigate. I especially liked that there were only a small number of suppliers; it made the experience feel a lot more personal and allowed for more meaningful conversations. It didn’t feel rushed or overwhelming, which can often happen at bigger events but a few more minutes with each supplier would have been perfect.

The networking side of things was a real success for me. I came across several products that we don’t currently have, and I’m hopeful we can look at including some of them in our program. It was a great chance to explore fresh ideas and connect with the right people.

Overall, a really well-organized and enjoyable day. Glad I went.

Anita Lao, Bob Wood Cruise Group

Thank you for organizing the afternoon/evening, it is something that is required for cruise ship tourism in SE QLD

A start has now been made let’s hope the momentum is now there, fingers crossed it does not fade. Workshops like this can only help SE QLD, if the other states can do it why can’t us?

Jeff Barnard, Akorn Australia