Crown Princess and 3000+ passengers dock in Hobart for first ship of season
Some of Hobart’s historical sights and creature comforts are enticing the 3000-plus passengers off the first cruise ship of the season into the CBD. See the video.
Tasmania
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Some of the more than 3000 passengers on-board the first cruise ship of the Tasmanian season were eager to get their hands on some Tasmanian goods early in the day.
Adelaide sisters Lee Clark and Julie Gallaher were meeting with Julie’s Tasmanian friend Helen Barnes before making a beeline for some Coal River Valley chocolate.
“She brings some every time I see her,” Ms Gallaher joked.
“It’s just one of the things we love about Tassie, it’s my third time coming.
“The place is just so beautiful and it makes it all the bit better that I get to see my friend too.”
The Crown Princess docked in Hobart early on Monday at MAC 02 Wharf, marking the start of more than 80 ships that will come into Hobart over the 2024-25 season.
Tasmanian Premier and Tourism Minister Jeremy Rockliff said this year’s cruise season would bring in around 268,000 tourists.
“It’s fantastic that the cruise ship season is now open and that means that those thousands of people I just mentioned get to experience Tasmania,” he said.
“Consider that over $3.5bn is injected into Tasmania every year through our visitor economy, which employs 10s of 1000s of Tasmanians and 1 in 8 Tasmanians are employed in the visitor economy.
“It is vitally important that we have the opportunity for more cruise ships into Tasmania, but also that we maximise opportunities like air travel for Tasmania and any other opportunities that come our way.”
Crown Princess Captain Christopher Lye said it was not only Tasmania’s first cruise ship, but also the Crown’s maiden voyage of Australasia.
“The ship is 18 years old and has never been here before, which I find amazing,” he said.
“We love it so much down here we have decided to depart four hours later today.
“Our 3000 guests and 1100 crew are looking forward to being here.”
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