Crown Princess opens record Newcastle cruise season
The New South Wales port is scheduled to receive 18 cruise ships between October and April, including five making maiden visits.
Crown Princess arrived in Newcastle Harbour on 8 October, marking the start of the region’s cruise season. More than 30,000 cruise tourists are expected to visit over the coming months.
The 290-metre vessel was carrying more than three thousand passengers and twelve hundred crew. It was the first of a record 18 cruise ships scheduled to dock in Newcastle between October and April, with five maiden arrivals included in the schedule.
Glenn Caldwell, general manager of Destination Sydney Surrounds North, said cruise activity was estimated to contribute about $20 million to the local economy each year.
Cruise promotion and tourism development are being coordinated through the Newcastle Cruise Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement brings together the Port Authority, Destination Sydney Surrounds North, Newcastle Tourism Industry Group and seven local councils to promote the region and develop tourism offerings for visiting cruise passengers.