Travellers from around the world gathered in the North-West on Tuesday, November 14, due to a visit from the biggest cruise ship to ever dock in Burnie, Tasmania.
The visit by Norwegian Jewel and the 3445 passengers aboard was made possible due to the US$1.5 million mooring dolphin which was installed in 2017.
While Norwegian Jewel is the only vessel visiting Burnie this season requiring the dolphin, Kevin Moore, TasPorts general manager of customer management, said the investment would deliver significant benefits.
Visits from major cruise liners would help the government meet the target for 70% of visitors to stay overnight in regional areas as well as to increase average visitor spend by 50% by 2022.
Norwegian Jewel guests were greeted in the port by the usual pomp and red carpet treatment, along with free shuttle buses around the region and a welcome by mayor Alvwyn Boyd.
TasPorts presented a Huon Pine plaque to Norwegian Jewel's captain to commemorate the visit.
This season Burnie will welcome 32 calls by cruise ships including 5 from Norwegian Jewel. Nearly 70,000 are the passengers and crews expected to arrive from those ships.