Sydney’s popularity as a leading cruise destination will be on full display this Saturday, when four of the world’s most luxurious ships are berthed in Sydney Harbour – including an unprecedented two ships at Circular Quay.
For the first time in history, two modern cruise ships will share the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) at the Quay for the day, an event made possible by the boutique size of the vessels, PONANT’s 200-guest Le Soleal and the 686-guest Azamara Quest.
Just 142 metres long, Le Soleal is one of the youngest ships in the world and will be making her maiden visit to Sydney, while the 180-metre long elegant Azamara Quest is making her second call to the city as part of her inaugural season in Australia.
Meanwhile the ultra-luxury 458-guest Seabourn Odyssey and Silversea Cruises’ intimate 382-guest Silver Whisper will both be docked at White Bay Cruise Terminal in Rozelle.
Cruise Lines International Association Commercial Director Brett Jardine said the visit by four luxury ships on the one day was a first for Sydney and reflected Australia’s growing popularity as a cruise destination.
“Between them these four beautiful ships will bring thousands of high-end visitors to our city – visitors who will be busy exploring Sydney and enjoying plenty of shopping and touring as they take in the sights, which is great news for the local economy,” Mr Jardine said.
The visits come during Sydney’s busiest ever cruise month, with 27 different ships making an extraordinary 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.
Mr Jardine said the historic dual berthing at the Overseas Passenger Terminal followed the recent upgrade of cruise facilities at Circular Quay by the Port Authority of NSW including the refurbishment of the terminal and the installation of a new mooring dolphin at the northern end of the wharf.
Sydneysiders will be able to watch Le Soleal slip in beside Azamara Quest on Saturday morning (Feb 13), with the boutique ship scheduled to arrive into the Harbour about 9.30am, docking at the OPT by 10am.
Le Soleal’s visit comes at the end of a five-day cruise from Auckland. Most of the 200 guests onboard will disembark in the morning, making way for new guests who will board during the day to sail on a nine-night sell-out cruise to Cairns from Sydney.
Meanwhile Azamara Quest will berth at the OPT at 8pm on Friday, the final night of her 13-night New Zealand cruise from Auckland. She will overnight at the terminal, before departing at 5.30pm on Saturday on a 17-night East Coast Australia and Bali cruise.
Mr Jardine said more than one million Australians now take a cruise every year, making the nation the fourth largest passenger source market in the world. In total, 38 ships from CLIA member cruise lines will sail in Australian waters this summer, the biggest summer season for the nation yet.
SOURCE: Cruise Lines International Association Australasia (CLIA)