Albany and Esperance on target for cruisers

WESTERN Australia’s southern ports of Albany and Esperance are expecting more than 22,500 visitors for the coming cruise season.

The Port of Albany will host 13 cruise visits over the six-month cruise season, which starts from 15 October.

Southern Ports chief executive officer Keith Wilks said cruise visits last year had been at a record level but expectations were high this year, particularly for visits aligning with the Albany 2026 bicentennial celebrations.

Eight vessels will arrive in Albany during the start of the bicentenary year, able to take advantage of celebrations across the town.

The season includes two visits by the Crown Princess (passenger capacity 3600) for the second consecutive year.

It will also include a visit by the Norwegian Spirit (2600), which will be one of seven cruise ships making their maiden call to the Port of Albany during the coming season.

Greeting Albany cruise visitors this year will be an Aboriginal cultural welcome artwork at the port.

Funded through a Southern Ports and Tourism Western Australia partnership, the new artwork by Menang artist Shandell Cummings will welcome cruise passengers upon their arrival in Albany.

“There is a deep and lasting connection between the land and waters of our Port of Albany and the Menang people – Shandell’s piece will be a fitting recognition of that connection,” Mr Wilks said.

“It will offer a vibrant lasting welcome for cruise passengers for years to come and we’re excited to be in a position to unveil it during the upcoming cruise season.”

The Albany cruise season to the end of the year includes Crown Princess on 14 October, Silver Nova on 17 November, Silver Moon on 23 November, Riviera on 1 December and Norwegian Spirit on 11 December.

Next year’s schedule includes Viking Orion on 21 January, Seven Seas Explorer on 4 February, Silver Moon on 11 February, Azamara Pursuit on 13 February, Zaandam on 23 February, Viking Orion on 21 March, Crown Princess on 30 March and Seven Seas Navigator on 10 April.

For Esperance, Mr Wilks said bookings were consistent with previous years' schedules although there was recognition that schedules can shift and change during the season.

Five cruise vessels, varying in capacity from 530 passengers to more than 900, are scheduled to visit Esperance between November and April.

They are Silver Nova on 18 Nov this year and then Seven Seas Explorer on 3 February, Silver Dawn on 11 February, Amera on 14 February and Seven Seas Navigator on 9 April, next year.

All five vessels will anchor in port waters, with their passengers tendered to shore to explore the region.

Mr Wilks said the cruises delivered valuable economic benefits for the Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regions.

“Every cruise season is an opportunity to showcase our regions to visitors, remembering that each visit provides a raft of benefits to our regional economies,” Mr Wilks said.

Bunbury, Southern Ports’ third port is also open to cruise ships, but at this stage has no bookings for 2026, but in past seasons has attracted vessels including Azamara Journey, Crystal Symphony, and Seabourn Sojourn.