TASPORTS will soon welcome is first cruise ships of the 2022-23 season, with Pacific Explorer scheduled to call Port of Hobart and Coral Princess headed for Port of Burnie.
Pacific Explorer is scheduled to arrive in Hobart on 25 October following its voyage from Sydney. It will be the first international cruise ship to call the port since early 2020.
TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald said TasPorts supports the return of cruise ships to the state because of the economic benefits for local tourism operators and businesses.
“Independent economic research confirms that the contribution of a single medium sized cruise ship visit to the state is more than $650,000 per visit,” Mr Donald said,
“TasPorts has been preparing for their return for some time, working closely with cruise ship companies, local tourism operators and federal and Tasmanian government departments to prepare for a safe return of cruise ships to Tasmania.”
Around 150 cruise ship visits are lined up for Tasmanian ports during the upcoming cruise season.
“While the first vessel for the year will arrive into Hobart, the Port of Burnie will host its first visit when the Coral Princess berths on 5 November,” Mr Donald said.
“The Star Breeze will be the first cruise ship to visit Inspection Head at the Port of Bell Bay on 29 November.
“TasPorts facilitates cruise ship calls around the state, actively supporting the regional dispersal of visitors and the benefits associated with these visits.”
Mr Donald said international cruise ships visiting the state were still required to meet all state public health requirements.
“TasPorts will continue to implement its policy, introduced in 2019, that limits the berthing of cruise ships at the same time in Hobart to two,” he said.
“Further, TasPorts has reviewed its forward bookings through to March 2026 and has no cruise ship bookings for vessels that can carry more than 5000 passengers.
“Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas are the largest vessels (capable of carrying 4000 passengers) booked to visit the Hobart this season.”
