Bumper cruise week to pour almost $1 million into Townsville business

Townsville’s cruise industry will notch up another major achievement this week, welcoming a record four cruise ships in eight days.

The bumper week at the Port of Townsville will see more than 4,000 visiting passengers and crew directly inject $932,000 into local businesses during their days ashore.

Port of Townsville Chief Executive Officer Ranee Crosby said the arrival of four cruise ships within such a short timeframe underscores Townsville's growing popularity as a port of call on cruise itineraries.  

“This cruise season has been our biggest yet and they’re only growing from here with new record booking numbers expected each year for the next two years,” said Ms Crosby.

“The significant passenger and crew presence over the next week will be a good taste of what’s to come, while bolstering local businesses and injecting a welcome dose of energy into the city's vibrant tourism sector.”

“This will be a warm-up as we prepare to welcome Large Class cruise ships next Summer, following completion of our Channel Upgrade project. These larger vessels will hold up to 3,000 passengers and crew, demonstrating the upgrade’s role in significantly growing Townsville’s tourism sector.”

Townsville Enterprise, Director of Visitor Economy and Marketing, Lisa Woolfe, said it was exciting to welcome four cruise ships into our port over eight days.

“Cruises play a crucial role in our visitor economy, allowing us to diversify the tourism season and providing a welcome boost over the summer period for our tourism operators right across Townsville North Queensland.”

“Welcoming more than 4,000 passengers presents a fantastic opportunity to inject almost $1 million into our local economy while showcasing our region to many first-time visitors. We know that cruise passengers have a high propensity to return to places they enjoy – so we always make sure that the welcome they receive is second to none and the experiences they participate in are the best on offer,” Mrs Woolfe said. 

Passengers will include some Australians, as well as international visitors from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom, Canada and more.

VESSELS VISITING IN TOWNSVILLE’S BUMPER CRUISE WEEK

• Viking Orion, 4 March 2023: 8am – 6pm
  Returning a second time this cruise season, this 228-metre Viking cruise vessel was built in Ancona, Italy in 2018. She will be sailing from Sydney to Benoa (Bali), Indonesia, carrying a maximum of 930 passengers and 465 crew.
• Seven Seas Mariner, 5 March 2023: 11am – 8pm
  Stopping in Townsville on its 38-night voyage from Sydney, the Seven Seas Mariner will sail through to Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Maldives, India, Oman and disembark in the United Arab Emirates. The 216-metre vessel will carry a total of 700 passengers and 465 crew.
• Silver Muse, 9 March 2023: 12:30am – 6:30pm
  Visting Townsville twice this cruise season, the Silversea Cruises vessel will host 596 guests and 411 crew on a 14-day voyage from Sydney to Benoa (Bali), Indonesia.
• Seven Seas Navigator, 12 March 2023: 8am – 6pm
  Hailed the “most luxurious ship at sea”, this ship features an acre of marble, and a $9 million dollar art collection featuring pieces by Picasso and Chagall. After embarking in Auckland, its 496 guests and 365 crew will complete their 18-night journey in Bali (Benoa), Indonesia.