Oasis Cruising cancels $6 million vessel’s inaugural invite-only Brisbane River voyage

The Oasis vessel’s launch party was to sail along the Brisbane River on Wednesday night, but was cancelled a few hours prior.

An artist’s impression of the Oasis vessel design

Owners of Brisbane’s newest party boat, the $6 million Oasis vessel, have had to cancel its official launch at the last minute because the vessel is not ready to sail.

Oasis Cruising announced on Wednesday afternoon that the vessel’s inaugural cruise, due to set sail along the Brisbane River that night, had been called off.

“Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond control of Oasis, tonight’s launch of Oasis Cruising has been cancelled. The owners and crew apologise,” the cancellation note read.

The vessel’s owner was it was simply not ready in time.

“Despite our best efforts, the boat just wasn’t ready for tonight’s invite-only launch. We look forward to the first weekend on water this coming Saturday and Sunday,” their statement said.

Wednesday’s exclusive event was to be the warm-up before the vessel’s first public voyage on Saturday, but guests will now experience the floating bar with other paying ticketholders.

Inside the Oasis party boat

“They (the owners) would like to offer an invitation for you to experience Oasis at a time of your choosing – just let us know – they begin cruising on Saturday,” invitees were told in Wednesday’s cancellation notice.

The boat has been custom-designed for the Brisbane River, with a Mediterranean-style spread over three levels and offering private functions, day and night cruises.

“Each level is completely different aesthetically, our designers have been hard at work for over a year to create this magnificent masterpiece that we’re about to unveil,” Oasis Cruising managing partner Dave Auld told The Courier-Mail earlier this month.

Mr Auld made the strategic decision to expand his party vessel enterprise into Queensland after successful stints on the Brisbane River in 2017 and 2018 with his Sydney-based vessel Seadeck.

“The market up here was great,” he said.

“I liked the city, I liked the people and I think it’s a good place for growth.”

The vessel was given the seal of approval by Brisbane fashionista Miné Coetser who was one the first to tour Oasis in its final stage of construction.