Scenic Eclipse II makes inaugural stop in Darwin as cruise industry hits record high
On-board helicopters, a submersible pod, and butlers for every guest. Take a look inside the ultra-luxury yacht docking in Darwin.
Travel
Don't miss out on the headlines from Travel. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ultra-Luxury yacht Scenic Eclipse II has docked in Darwin for the first time on its inaugural voyage through Australia, launching a Kimberleys tour that will see the 6-star cruise return six times this season.
Latest figures show the total economic impact from cruise tourism in the NT reached a record $127.3m last financial year, up 143 per cent since 2018-19.
More than 100 ships have docked in Darwin over the past 12 months, making this the Territory’s largest cruise season to date.
The annual Territory Cruise Forum was held in Darwin this week, involving representatives from local business, tourism and cruise industry.
Australian Cruise Association chief executive Jill Abel said the forum showed Territory companies were increasingly focusing their business around cruises, but more could be done to capitalise on pre- and post-cruise tourism.
“(The cruise industry) is enabling NT businesses to plan ahead, because most cruise ship bookings are made around two years in advance,” she said.
“There’s a wonderful cruise strategy out here, with a real commitment from the government, and when the cruise lines see that there’s a commitment from a destination they’re more enthused to be there.
“And I think there’s just a real passion from the actual locals of Darwin willing to show off their destination.
“The big opportunity is in not only the shore excursion products on the day of a cruise ship visit, but expanding so it’s a whole destination holiday.
“Expansion beforehand or afterwards to reach into places where the cruise ship can’t go.”
Scenic’s director of Discovery Operations Jason Flesher said it was “emotional” arriving in the Top End.
“It’s been over two years in preparation for coming to the Kimberleys,” he said.
“It’s now real, and now to be able to see it through the eyes of our guests – that makes me really, really excited.”
Mr Flesher compared the Top End to a warm Antarctica (Scenic’s most intrepid destination), referencing its remoteness, magnificence, and requirements for the ship to show off its adventure credentials.
Along with two helicopters on board, the Scenic Eclipse II has a fleet of Zodiac inflatable boats and a submersible pod that can take guests up to 100m below the surface.
On board there are 114 suites hosting up to 228 guests, up to 10 unique, all-inclusive dining experiences, expert guides and an almost one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio allowing butler service for every customer.
On its way to Darwin the Scenic Eclipse II stopped in Yirrkala, East Arnhem, and made its way through the Wessel Islands’ Gugari Rip.
Discovery Leader Mike Cusack said the ship’s precision navigation system allowed for exploration highlights not possible on bigger ships.
“People go overseas but in our own backyard we’ve got such magnificence,” Mr Cusack said.
“Seeing that dark green of the vegetation, that incredible brown oxide of the iron there, the white beaches, incredible blue sea, that was quite dramatic, and also at Yirrkala itself with the cultural centre and the colour that was on there, that was quite stunning.”
Darwin Port chief executive Peter Dummett said his target was to have a cruise ship docked in Darwin each day of the year, saying they did “a hell of a lot” for the city.
“I can tell you since cruises recommenced post-pandemic, we’ve employed an additional eight people,” he said.
“I was here nice and early this morning and we already had provedore trucks, fuelling trucks, waste removal trucks – a lot of activity preparing the vessel for its voyage.”
Tourism Minister Joel Bowden said the government wanted to amplify the Territory as a cruise destination around the world, to “support our tourism, hospitality and retail businesses and continue to create work for Territorians”.
$29 flights: Virgin, Jetstar slash fares as airline wars ramp up
Virgin and Jetstar have cut prices on nearly half a million flights, just days after Qantas launched a massive sale. See the full list.
Cruise bonanza: 32,700 tourists to hit Darwin in eight week rush
Almost 14,000 tourists are heading to Darwin in the next month, with a whopping 18,700 to follow in the four weeks after that. Find out how they are getting here.