Passengers say sea rescue delayed Royal Princess cruise ship’s arrival in Darwin

The biggest cruise ship Darwin’s port has seen was likely delayed by a dramatic sea rescue. Here’s what passengers said.

About 4,500 passengers and crew disembarked the Royal Princess cruise ship.

A dramatic sea rescue could be behind the delayed arrival of the biggest cruise ship Darwin has seen.

Passengers Terry and Vivienne Jacyshyn travelled to Darwin via the Royal Princess and said the captain made an unusual announcement the night before the ship was due to make port in the Territory’s capital.

Ms Jacyshyn said passengers were told their estimated arrival would be delayed because they needed to pick someone up from the surrounding waters.

“They didn’t give us any more details, but he said this morning – and you could see it on the map, that they’d turned back – that they were successful,” she said.

It is unclear whether the rescued person was a passenger.

Princess Cruises has been contacted for comment.

Terry and Vivienne Jacyshyn were among the 4,500 passengers who disembarked the Royal Princess cruise ship.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Joel Bowden said about 4,500 people – including passengers and crew – disembarked the Royal Princess on Saturday.

Mr Bowden said it was the largest ship due to visit Darwin this cruise season – and possibly historically.

“In total, we’re going to have about 103 cruise ships here this season,” he said.

“That’s about $65 million – this cohort will bring about $2 million into the economy.”

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Joel Bowden in front of the Royal Princess cruise ship.

Mr Bowden said the most popular activity for cruise ship passengers in Darwin were the jumping croc cruises.

“I spoke to the guy from one of the jumping croc tour operators, he’s looking to spend in excess of millions of dollars on his product,” he said.

“He’s trying to get another boat, he’s trying to redo the carpark, he’s trying to redo the gangway.

“He’s trying to get more people on the boats more often, and this helps that.”

Mr Bowden said the ship’s two hour delay meant the passengers would stay in Darwin for an extra hour, departing at 7pm.

Their next port of call is in Hong Kong.