Olympics-style volunteers welcome cruise ship passengers

WE loved them during the Sydney Olympics - now a team of volunteers will welcome cruise ship passengers to the Harbour City.

ms Oosterdam in Sydney

WE loved them during the Sydney Olympics - now a team of volunteers will welcome cruise ship passengers arriving in the Harbour City.

Tourists arriving at both the Overseas Passenger Terminal and Barangaroo will be greeted by the volunteers after a successful trial.

The tourism ambassadors will answer questions, provide maps and give tips to visitors about what to see and where to shop and eat.

This summer is set to be the biggest cruise season ever, with a record 265 international and domestic ship visits to Sydney before April.

Volunteers will be trained by the City of Sydney council, tourism body Destination NSW and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

Former Sydney Olympics volunteer Judy Marshall, 71, is among the 10 ambassadors who will meet and greet thousands of tourists this season.

"Volunteering during the Sydney Olympics was the biggest buzz so I had no hesitation in volunteering my services again,'' Ms Marshall, from Denistone, said.

"Being the first people most cruise passengers will meet when they arrive in Sydney means we have a big responsibility, but I'm proud were here to give them a warm welcome to one of the worlds best cities.

"I'm glad to be part of that and gain tremendous satisfaction from it. And it's good for the economy.''

The news comes as the latest ship to make its Australian debut berthed in Sydney yesterday.

The arrival of ms Oosterdam marks the first time one of Holland America Lines' Vista-class ships will be based Down Under for the season and the first time the British-American company has had two ships sailing in the region at the same time.

It follows the arrival last week of US ship the Carnival Spirit, which has been "Aussified'' for its new market with local beer on tap, an on deck barbecue restaurant and zero tipping.