The arrival of the RCI-Royal Caribbean cruise ship Brilliance of the Seas in Newcastle on Saturday, October 28, officially marked the commencement of the summer cruise season.
This season, Newcastle (NSW Australia) is set to welcome 16 cruise ships, each carrying 2,500+ passengers, into its harbor.
This event also signifies the initiation of a new 10-year license agreement between the Port Authority and the Port of Newcastle, promising increased transit cruise ship visits to benefit the Hunter and Central Coast regions in the years ahead.
Newcastle has a rich history of hosting cruise passengers during nearly two decades of cruise seasons. John McKenna, Port Authority Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, expressed optimism about the new license agreement, emphasizing its positive impact on the local economy and opportunities for the tourism and hospitality sectors in the region.
Under this fresh agreement, the Port Authority will oversee cruise operations at a berth owned by the Port of Newcastle. The objective is to build upon the achievements realized in Newcastle and enhance the cruise market in the area, offering more possibilities for cruise lines to incorporate Newcastle as a destination in their itineraries. This expansion complements the existing cruise markets in Sydney NSW and Eden NSW.