Ships brought close to 3,000 visitors to Australian city and injecting US$2 million into the economy
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Four cruise ships berthed in Sydney Harbour on 13 February, bringing close to 3,000 visitors to the Australian city and injecting around AUS$2 million into the economy.
While Seabourn Cruise Line’s 458-guest Seabourn Odyssey and Silversea Cruises’ 382-guest Silver Whisper berthed at the White Bay Cruise Terminal in Rozelle, the city’s Circular Quay also hosted two ships simultaneously for the first time in its history.
Ponant’s 142m Le Soleal joined Azamara Club Cruises’ 180m Azamara Quest at the Overseas Passenger Terminal for the day. Making her maiden visit at the end of her five-day cruise from Auckland, New Zealand, Le Soleal brought 200 guests and departed in the evening for a nine-night cruise to Cairns.
Meanwhile, the 686-guest Azamara Quest was making her second call to the city as part of her inaugural season in Australia. After departing Sydney, the vessel embarked on a 17-night East Coast Australia and Bali cruise.
The historic dual berthing at the Overseas Passenger Terminal followed the recent upgrade of cruise facilities at Circular Quay, and the installation of a new mooring dolphin at the northern end of the wharf by the Port Authority of New South Wales.
“To have four of the world’s most elegant ships visiting on one day is an extraordinary event – and great news for the local economy,” said Brett Jardine, commercial director at the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia. “Most of the ships’ guests were international tourists so they were busy spending their time shopping and enjoying the sights of Sydney, while many had booked a few nights’ pre or post-cruise accommodation in the city.”
The visits come during Sydney’s busiest ever cruise month, with 27 different ships making a 45 calls to Sydney during February. The wave of activity will continue into March, when 17 ships will make 33 calls to the harbour city in just 30 days.