Port of Newcastle cruise season starts this month
The Hunter Region is preparing for another busy cruise season with about 22,000 cruise passengers to visit the Port of Newcastle in the next six months, Chief Executive officer of Newcastle Port Corporation, Grant Gilfillan, said today, said in a press release. “Newcastle is an increasingly attractive destination for cruise ships. Importantly, cruise ships are also a significant boost to the local economy,” Mr Gilfillan said. “A report by the national cruise industry body, Cruise Down Under, estimates that the 2012 - 13 cruise season injected about $10 million into the Hunter Region’s economy.” The Port of Newcastle will host 10 cruise ships during t he 2013 - 14 cruise season which starts in mid October and extends to April 2014.
The season will commence on Monday 14 October with the arrival of Radiance of the Seas , carrying about 2,500 passengers, including more than a thousand Canadian tourists. Visit ors will enjoy new shore activities developed in conjunction with the local tourism industry, including four wheel drive tours and sandboarding at Stockton Bight. The 293 metre long Radiance of the Seas is a well - known visitor to the Port of Newcastle, an d will make four voyages to Newcastle in 2013 - 14. It currently jointly holds the record for the longest cruise ship to visit the port. That record will be eclipsed on 9 March 2014 when the 317 metre long Celebrity Solstice makes its maiden voyage to the Po rt of Newcastle. “ Celebrity Solstice will be carrying 2,850 passengers and its visit is certain to be a highlight of the season. One of the ship’s unique features is the Lawn Club, a freshly manicured lawn on the top deck,” Mr Gilfillan said. Cruise Hunter is a local organisation which is managed by Newcastle Port Corporation to develop the cruise shipping industry in Newcastle.