CAIRNS, Australia – Cairns will host five cruise ships on their maiden visits over the next three months, ranging from a super luxury boutique liner to the flagship of an Asian-based operator.
Next week the new P & O cruise ship Pacific Aria arrives on Thursday for two days, followed by Pacific Eden, which will be based in Cairns next year as its Australian home port.
Ports North chairman Russell Beer said the city was “very excited to be welcoming this P & O ship to our harbour for two days next week”.
“Not only will Aria be visiting the port three times during December and remain a regular in the coming year, but twin ship Pacific Eden will also make a maiden call later this month and then home port in Cairns next year.
“This is the first time a major cruise line has based itself in a regional Queensland city.”
Mr Beer said that Ports North had been working behind the scenes with the cruise company in the past months to make it possible.
“Ports North’s investment in providing world-class facilities for cruise shipping in Cairns is directly benefiting local tourism and all of the services that support the industry,” he said.
Pacific Eden will be based in Cairns from September to November 2016, taking cruises to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. Both ships will visit the port 17 times next year, increasing to 30 visits in 2017.
Other ships for the first time are Super Star Virgo, Le Soleal and Azamara Quest.
“That’s five maiden calls just three months. It just shows how our region is a very real player in the Australian cruise industry,” Mr Beer said.
Adam Armstrong of Azamara Club Cruises said the company was looking forward to bringing Azamara Quest to Cairns for the first time on January 4 for an overnight stay.
“With smaller ships that are able to go to places other cruise ships can’t, we differentiate ourselves by making destinations like Cairns the star of the show,” he said.
“Cairns is not only a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, on almost every Azamara Club passengers’ bucket list, but it’s also a cultural destination in itself.”
Star Cruises’ sales vice-president Braydon Holland said the company was “thrilled” to be cruising in Australian waters.
“Cairns’ tropical climate and outdoor lifestyle is a draw for Chinese and southeast Asian travellers who are looking for a relaxing getaway that is still within the Asia Pacific region,” he said.
Super Star Virgo, the flagship of Hong Kong-based Star Cruises, carries up to 1870 passengers and 1300 crew members.
It cost $350 million to build and was launched in 1999. It includes a 100m-long water slide and 13 bars and restaurants. The ship arrives on December 13 and stays overnight.
Le Soleal is a French-flagged boutique “sleek” liner, due to dock on February 22 for the day.
It carries up to 264 passengers with a crew of 139.
