Booming cruise season to flush South Australia with cash

Each time a luxury cruise ship stops in South Australia it adds up to $1 million to the local economy — just as well the upcoming cruise season will be the biggest in the state’s history.

• 2018: Adelaide cruise ship visits will rise to 20
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A fleet of luxury cruise ships is gearing up to head to South Australia with 79 port calls this summer season which will see millions of dollars left in their wake.

South Australian Tourism Commission figures show the expected passenger and crew capacity will be a record 182,052 — higher than last season at 171,491 — with more larger vessels arriving than ever before.

The season will also see the first cruise ship call to Wallaroo, as the influx of passengers spreads the wealth to regional areas such as Port Lincoln and Kangaroo Island.

The cruising season officially kicks off with the arrival on October 25 of the 77,500 tonne, 15-deck Sea Princess and will see 38 ship arrivals in Adelaide, 25 at Penneshaw, 13 at Port Lincoln and three to Wallaroo by April.

Even with capacity for 2000 passengers and 910 crew members, Sea Princess will not be the biggest ship to arrive at Port Adelaide over the coming months.

That honour goes to the Golden Princess — a 109,000 tonne, 17-deck floating resort capable of carrying 2600 guests and 1100 crew, due to arrive on November 19.

December will see the maiden arrival of Vasco da Gama which will homeport in Adelaide for much of the summer season call at Wallaroo three times.

The ship reflects just how far Adelaide has come as a cruise hub — its operators, international cruise line Cruise & Maritime Voyages, shifted its Australian head office from Sydney to Adelaide in 2017.

Eight ships will dock at Port Adelaide by December 31, with some vessels scheduling

multiple return trips from Adelaide.

Each major ship stop at Port Adelaide is worth as much as $1 million in guest and crew spending on shore excursions as well as provisioning and charges.

Another 10 ships are due to arrive from January — among them will be the Majestic Princess and Seabourn Encore making their maiden Adelaide voyages.

Phil Hoffmann Travel managing director Phil Hoffmann said while cruising remains the holiday of choice for Baby Boomers, an increasing number of first-timers and young families are attracted to the value it represents.

“Cruise holidays departing and returning from Adelaide have become the most popular with

passengers wanting to embark direct and avoid flying to another port — so cruise operators have increased the number of these direct Adelaide departures, with Vanuatu and New Caledonia also added to itineraries this season,” Mr Hoffmann said.