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This southern summer a record number of cruise liners will sail Down Under, including many new-comers to the region. Australian cruising is ‘hot property’ say experts!
The Australian cruising season commences later this month with the arrival of Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess in Sydney Harbour on 29 September. She will be followed by another 37 ships ranging in size from mega-liners to boutique luxury vessels, providing a wide range of cruise experiences.
The bumper 2015-16 Australian cruising season will also see Azamara Club Cruises make its first ever call to Australia with its ship Azamara Quest arriving in local waters in January 2016. Other ships making their Australian debut during the season include Costa Cruises’ Costa Luminosa, Holland America Line’s Noordam, P&O Cruises’ Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, Ponant’s Le Soleal, Princess Cruises’ Golden Princess and Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas.
Australia is “hot property” according to Brett Jardine, Australasia Commercial Director of the peak cruise industry body Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). “Cruise lines around the world are looking for new destinations and new homeports for their ships. [Australia] have fantastic ports to visit and great weather, a population that can’t wait to cruise and that’s encouraging more cruise lines to send more ships”.
The record cruise season Down Under will also see an impressive 40 maiden port calls by cruise lines to a range of cities and regional towns including Lizard Island and Port Douglas on the Great Barrier Reef, and Burnie and Hobart in the pristine south.
Mr Jardine said highlights of the upcoming Australian cruising season will included P&O Cruises’ five-ship spectacular in Sydney on 25 November, the deployment of Princess Cruises’ Golden Princess to Melbourne and Royal Caribbean’s first Brisbane season with Legend of the Seas sailing from the northern capital.
About the Author: Jason Kerr
