The Territory’s growing cruise market is bringing huge economic benefits

The Territory’s cruise ship sector has resoundingly bounced back from the dark days of Covid-19, posting record visitor numbers in 2023-24, with even larger take-up expected in the coming year.

The Territory’s cruise ship sector has resoundingly bounced back from the dark days of Covid-19, posting record visitor numbers in 2023-24 with even larger take-up expected in the coming year.

Tourism Top End general manager Samantha Bennett said the Top End cruise season is getting longer, with this year’s kicking-off in August with the arrival of the Coral Princess.

This compares with last season when the year’s first ship, the Celebrity Solstice, arrived in November.

She said the new season would continue until May, with a huge economic boost expected next week as two giant cruisers dock at the Fort Hill Wharf terminal.

Tourism Top End general manager Samantha Bennett.

On Saturday, the Queen Elizabeth is set to dock with 2068 passengers and 900 crew and on Sunday the Celebrity Solstice with 2850 passengers and 1000 crew will also disembark.

Ms Bennett said the new season is expected to be even better than last year with 127 cruise calls already scheduled for Darwin.

Last year regional locations including Yirrkala, Bathurst Island and Melville Island also hosted cruise ships, and the regional disembarkation points are also expected to grow in popularity this year.

“Darwin is extremely popular with both the cruise line companies and their passengers, with significant increases in passengers spending,” Ms Bennett said.

“Tourism isn’t the only benefactor, it also benefits retailers, hospitality and farmers that produced the services on board.

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth cruise ship is headed for Darwin next week. Cunard/Indusfoto Limited

“Many passengers return to the destinations they discover on a cruise. Tourism Top End is excited about this cruise season and next week we will have more than 5000 passengers and crew visiting here.”

Figures contained in the Australia Cruise Association’s annual report showed the cruise sector generated $181m into the Territory economy last financial year and supported 527 jobs, with 131 cruise ship visits.

Department of Tourism and Hospitality chief executive Suzana Bishop. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Department of Tourism and Hospitality said 44,000 passengers disembarked in Darwin last season which, including crew, meant an additional about 65,000 combined passengers and crew.

Tourism and Hospitality chief executive Suzana Bishop said the Northern Territory’s Cruise Working Group, chaired by Tourism NT, wants to deliver “a warm and memorable welcome” for cruise passengers.

The group, which meets every three-months to implement actions from the NT Cruise Tourism Strategy, has introduced a range of onshore experiences, including passenger welcome ambassadors, live music in Darwin’s mall, shuttle buses, and retail window decals.

“As the Territory gears up for its largest cruise season yet, the cruise sector continues to be a cornerstone of the NT’s tourism economy, delivering benefits to local businesses, job creation, and opportunities to showcase the Territory’s unique attractions to domestic and international travellers,” Ms Bishop said.

“We’re thrilled to welcome passengers from the Queen Elizabeth this week. The arrival of such a prestigious ship underscores the importance of the cruise sector to the NT’s economy, providing a unique opportunity to showcase the region’s rich Aboriginal culture, military history and iconic natural wonders like Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks.”

Originally published as The Territory’s growing cruise market is bringing huge economic benefits