Local business will get a boost when cruise ships return to Island waters

About 10,000 people are expected to visit Phillip Island when the cruise ship season starts again this December after a long Covid hiatus.

Phillip Island is set to receive a huge boost to its economy when cruise ships return to its shores from December.

Seven cruise ships will make 13 visits to Phillip Island from December 2022 until March 2023, bringing about 10,000 people to the shores of Phillip Island.

Two maiden voyages are a part of the crew with 11 international and two domestic cruise ships set to visit our shores.

All the ships anchor offshore from Rhyll where passengers can then come ashore by tender and arrive at the Rhyll Jetty.

The thousands of passengers are expected to top up a battered Phillip Island economy and boost local business according to Bass Coast Shire mayor Michael Whelan.

“To have cruise ships visit Phillip Island over the coming summer is testament to everything that we have on offer. Our beaches, local food and hospitality, nature and a wide range of attractions provide so much variety for passengers and we look forward to them exploring our shores,” he said.

“We anticipate that there will be significant economic benefits to the region from this cruise season, and it’s a major vote of confidence in Phillip Island as a desirable destination for visitors from all over the world.”

He said he hoped the passengers on the ships would be impressed enough with Phillip Island they would come back and stay for longer.

“Ten of the 13 visits are midweek, and these are visitors who may not otherwise visit Phillip Island are usually high-yielding,” he said.

Local business owner Jo Vinney is “excited” to welcome the cruise ship visitors back to the Island and to her store, Brinne T Design.

“I think it is amazing and am super excited to welcome them back,” she said.

The people coming are expected to have money to spend which will be a great boost for Phillip Island’s small business and tourism, she said.

“I am hoping it will be really good for business,” Ms Vinney said.

So when will the cruise ships be here?

December 1 and 7 will see the Seabourn Odyssey visit.

This ship is 200m long and can carry up to 450 passengers and 335 crew members.

The Grand Princess will visit on December 15 carrying 2600 passengers and a crew of 1100.

On January 3 and 8 Seabourn Odyssey will return before the Regatta Cruise Ship anchors on January 10.

The Regatta can carry 824 passengers and 386 crew.

On January 24 the Star Breeze will arrive carrying 312 passengers.

February 4 and 9 will see the Seabourn Odyssey return once again before the Viking Neptune visits on February 12, carrying 930 passengers.

The Seabourn Sojourn will anchor on March 9 with 450 passengers.

The Seabourn Odyssey will make its last visit of the season on March 17 and the Grand Princess will round out the season with its visit on March 22.