About Us

With over 30 years of owning and operating one of the country’s leading travel offices, Betty Croft is an industry veteran and exudes the same passion for travel and new experiences as she did over three decades ago!

Betty operated the “bricks and mortar” office for many years before launching the online 1300 CRUISE and the Kimberley Cruise escapes division as a response to the growing demand for specialist and informed expedition cruise agents on the internet. Betty and her team have personally experienced over 120 global destinations with many of the world’s major and leading cruise lines, including Silversea, Crystal Cruises, (Yachts of) Seabourn, Cunard, Oceania, Orion and The True North, to name but a few. So, when making your expedition cruise choices, you can ask for first hand recommendations, because someone in the office will most likely have personally enjoyed the experience.

After 6 years at sea between Crystal Cruises and The True North, Ross joined the team as an international luxury AND Kimberley expedition cruise specialist. Putting Antarctica on the same pedestal as he places the Kimberley, Ross loves nothing more than assisting people achieve their “bucket list” experiences. He takes the responsibility of ensuring it’s the best-it-can-be very seriously.

And Ross’ favourite recent Kimberley moment? “So hard to narrow down. After dozens of Kimberley expedition cruises, I can’t choose one specific sight. For me, it’s the feeling of sitting on top deck once everyone’s in bed and revelling in the fact it’s just me and the Kimberley starlit night. In a river ‘in the middle of nowhere’, I find that strangely spiritual”.

Veronica brings over 20 years of expertise in the travel industry, with a deep passion for cruising, particularly in the Kimberley region. Joining Luxury Cruise Escapes in 2018, she specialises in expedition and luxury cruises. Her firsthand experiences sailing the Kimberley aboard both the intimate Kimberley Quest II and the luxurious Ponant have enriched her knowledge, allowing her to expertly guide clients in choosing their ideal Kimberley adventure. Veronica is dedicated to helping clients plan unforgettable trips and is committed to returning to the Kimberley herself, drawn by its unique allure.

Heidi has been a travel specialist for 16 years and has loved to travel from a young age. She has travelled extensively to many parts of the world, including 27 countries across 5 continents. You can confidently trust in her knowledge and experience. And if there is a place she hasn’t been, Heidi will soon find out about it and be able to present you with options to suit your travel requirements. Every client is different and her global expertise will ensure the perfect arrangements.

Heidi loves making travel dreams become a reality.

Lisa Upton has experienced many and varied roles within a range of travel industry companies, both in Australia and internationally, over the last 14 years. To develop her career with a specialty in expedition cruise travel, from 2010 to 2013 Lisa took on the role of Cruise Director aboard the small luxury super yacht True North and spent her time expedition cruising the remote destinations of The Kimberley, West Papua and Papua New Guinea.

She now enjoys using that global knowledge, a wide-ranging travel expertise, and most importantly, her love for cruising to help her many loyal clients from 1300 Cruise.

Lisa’s vast travel experience combined with attention to detail and excellent customer service makes her an invaluable asset to the 1300 Cruise team.

Rachel has worked in the cruise and travel industry since 2003 and has been recognised with multiple industry accolades, including Manager of the Year for her leadership in guiding a highly successful agency, as well as the coveted Best Travel Consultant award. After taking some time away to focus on her young family, she returned to her true passion—cruising.

Her love for expedition cruising has been a more recent focus, sparked by first-hand experiences in Australia’s Kimberley region and beyond. Rachel has sailed aboard Ponant’s Le Jacques-Cartier and Seabourn’s Pursuit in the Kimberley, as well as True North II and Eco Abrolhos, two of the most authentic small-ship expedition vessels in the region. Beyond the Kimberley, she has explored the world aboard Silversea’s Silver Nova, Silver Cloud, and Silver Muse; Crystal Cruises; Queen Mary 2; as well as Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises.

Since joining the Luxury Cruise Escapes team in 2024, Rachel has drawn on her two decades of cruise industry experience while channelling her specialist knowledge of expedition cruising. She is known for sharing insights that go far beyond brochures—whether it’s knowing the most spectacular vantage points on board, the best seasons to travel, or the thrill of stepping ashore by Zodiac in a remote Kimberley inlet, Rachel shares insights that bring each journey to life. With a wealth of first-hand experience and a warm, client-focused approach, she ensures every journey she designs is seamless, enriching, and truly unforgettable.