Subscribe to RSS feedCruise season kicks off in Sydney
Sydney welcomed the start of the 2009/10 cruise season with the arrival of the 78,000 tonne ocean liner, Rhapsody of the Seas, on Saturday.
New South Wales ports minister Joe Tripodi said 118 cruiseships were expected to berth in Sydney during the cruise season, two shy of the record reached last year.
The cruiseships were expected to bring more than 250,000 visitors to Sydney this season, Mr Tripodi said.
Several new vessels will make their inaugural visits this season, including the Pacific Jewel on December 12, Seabourn Odyssey on February 24 and Balmoral on March 3, he said.
Last month, Sydney Ports Corporation announced the installation of a $3m gangway at the Circular Quay's Overseas Passenger Terminal.
“Once commissioning is complete, it means the Overseas Passenger Terminal can cater for a far wider range of vessels, with varying disembarking deck heights,” Sydney Ports Corporation chief executive Grant Gilfillan said.
In 2008/09, a record 120 cruiseships and more than 250,000 passengers visited Sydney, including 28 ships in as many days in February.
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