6000 visitors and some to stay with the first cruise ship partial turnaround in Hobart

For the first time cruise ship passengers were able to begin or end their holidays in Hobart, and it brings benefits for travel-hungry Tasmanians.

Passengers drop off their luggage at Mac02 cruise terminal. Picture: Elise Kaine

Mignonne Lane has always wanted to go on a cruise and on Thursday she was able to set off straight from her home town of Hobart.

“I have always wanted to go on a cruise and now I’m doing it, I only had to wait until 70,” she said.

She said the decision to go on the Royal Princess cruise from Hobart, to Sydney and then New Zealand was made easier with a “partial turnaround” cruise in the Hobart port — which allowed her to pack many more pairs of shoes than if she was required to fly to Sydney first.

“If I had to go to Sydney, I would have a smaller suitcase.”

Hobart friends Pip Tyrrell, Maree Mcintyre and Mignonne Lane at the Mac02 cruise terminal. Picture: Elise Kaine

The arrival of the Royal Princess on Thursday marked the first ever cruise “partial-turnaround” in Hobart, where some passengers can start or end their cruise journey here.

Pip Tyrrell is well travelled on cruises, as she sees it as a “choose your own” adventure with many options depending on where the cruise is ported.

“It is what you want to make it- you could do something all day every day if you want to, you can be here, there and everywhere.

“You can be on and off the ship at every port or you can just veg out and let the world go by and just have a lovely time and be spoiled,” she said.

Destination Southern Tasmania CEO Alex Heroys said there were 400 passengers getting off in Hobart and 400 getting on, and the two cruise ships in the port on Thursday had brought more than 6000 day visitors to the city.

Mr Heroys said the partial turnaround gives visitors more options for exploring the region and brings in more interstate and international tourists who want to experience Tasmania and embark from Hobart, adding a significant boost to the $140 million season.

He hoped the success of the Royal Princess stop in Hobart would lead to more cruise ships taking on partial stopovers in Tasmania.

Los Angeles couple Maria and RJ Acosta visiting Tasmania for the first time and getting on the Royal Princess. Picture: Elise Kaine

Los Angeles couple Maria and RJ Acosta were ticking off a bucket list item and visiting the southern hemisphere for the first time.

They had spent the past five days touring the state, visiting the East Coast, and seeing “all the sights” from Bay of Fires to Mount Wellington.

Mr Acosta said it was the countryside that caught his eye, and Mrs Acosta said Coles Bay was “absolutely gorgeous”.

The couple were hopping on the cruise ship in Hobart on Thursday to head to Sydney and then to New Zealand.

Originally published as 6000 visitors and some to stay with the first cruise ship partial turnaround in Hobart