Ship lines report cruise visits are on rebound

The $5bn local cruise industry is on track to return to its pre-Covid heights by the end of next year, welcoming more than 46 cruise ships this summer alone.

The Spinnaker Lounge on the Norwegian Spirit, which was renovated during the pandemic. It will be based in Sydney and Auckland for the southern summer.

The $5bn local cruise industry is on track to return to its pre-Covid heights by the end of next year, welcoming more than 46 cruise ships this summer – marginally down on the 55 vessels it received at its peak prior to Covid.

During Covid major cruise ships were shut out of Australia due to the then federal government’s tough biosecurity stance — a ban which eventually stretched from March 2020 to April 2022 with many businesses suffering including farmers, travel agents, hoteliers, providores and regional small businesses.

Cruise Lines International Association managing director Joel Katz says the two year-plus cessation on cruising was highly frustrating for the entire cruise community. “These days everyone is very excited and enthusiastic and consumer sentiment is very strong,” Katz says.

“Past passenger sentiment is exceeding pre-Covid levels as is the new-to-cruising market,’’ Katz says. “Cruising lines are reporting new-to-cruise bookings are unprecedented and bookings are continuing apace. Passengers are excited to be back at sea, notwithstanding the additional Covid protocols.

“Cruise lines are able to deliver the same amazing experience. New members have joined CLIA, there are new cruise lines starting up which will be eventually coming to Australia and 16 new ships are being delivered this year globally.”

But the federal Health Departments warns cruise ships carry a higher risk for spreading disease compared to other non-essential activities and transport modes, especially for the unvaccinated, and there was a Covid outbreak reported on Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess in Queenslaand in July.

In April a cruise ship arrived in Sydney for the first time in more than two years as P&O Cruises Australia's Pacific Explorer returned to its home port.

Before Covid, cruise arrivals in Sydney were reaching the point where a third terminal was proposed, with Botany Bay being a controversial site.

A NSW Port Authority spokeswoman says it “has been considering next steps and what work or actions will be required to address cruise capacity once cruise is determined to have sufficiently recovered’’.

The authority says it “is ready to be re-engaged and will need to consider the long-term projections of demand’’.

The Pacific Explorer at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal in April. The other existing terminal in Sydney is at White Bay, in the inner harbour. Picture: Richard Dobson

Norwegian Cruise Line APAC (Asia Pacific) vice-president and managing director Ben Angell says “we’re counting down to the moment we celebrate an NCL ship sailing into Sydney Harbour for the very first time in three years’’.

Angell says the Norwegian Spirit offers “new features that appeal to the adult Australian cruiser’’ following renovations. After a recent $US110m ($159m) renovation, the Norwegian Spirit will debut in Australian waters on December 22 for its inaugural local sailing season.

At the high end of cruising, regional options have been drawn up to stimulate market interest. NCL chief executive and president Harry Sommer says forward bookings for Norwegian Spirit “are incredibly robust as our guests from all over the world vote with their feet’’.

Sommer says: “Australia-New Zealand cruising is back and it’s more popular than ever. My advice to local travellers thinking about a cruise is to book early to avoid disappointment.”

The Norwegian Spirit will homeport in Sydney and Auckland throughout the Australian summer offering eight 12-day sailings from December until March 2023 as well as two South Pacific repositioning cruises.

New venues aboard include its spa and adults-only pool retreats as well as open-air nightclubs and lounges.

Meanwhile, the NCL Holdings-owned Seven Seas Explorer arrives back in Sydney on December 29, sailing from Singapore and first docking in Darwin on December 20. It also will stop at Thursday Island, Cairns, Airlie Beach and Brisbane before arriving in Sydney.

The luxury ship will do a Sydney to Auckland and Auckland to Sydney sailing culminating in an 18-night sailing leaving Sydney on January 26 bound for Bali.

Port of Brisbane chief executive Neil Stephens, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Stephen Miles at Pacific Explorer's docking at the new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal in June. Picture: Richard Walker

“We are looking forward to welcoming Seven Seas Explorer to celebrate summer in Australia and New Zealand,” says Steve Odell, who is Asia Pacific senior vice-president and managing director.

“I can think of no better way for Regent Seven Seas Cruises to mark the resumption of small ship, all-inclusive luxury cruises to the region.”

“Seven Seas Explorer has been a gamechanger in the all-inclusive luxury cruise sector with her high-quality, residential-style design, suite-only accommodation, multiple dining options and stunning art collections including pieces by Picasso and Chagall.

“This will be the perfect opportunity to introduce Seven Seas Explorer to our local guests. There is limited suite availability for those who are looking to travel closer to home.”

European cruise line Viking will have two ocean ships in local waters for the 2022-2023 Australia and New Zealand cruise season. Viking Orion will return to its seasonal Sydney and Auckland home ports between November 2022 and March 2023.

The Viking Orion in Sydney.

Viking Mars, which launched in May, will spend its maiden season sailing itineraries in northern Europe and the Mediterranean before embarking on voyages in Asia, Australia and New Zealand. It is scheduled to arrive in Sydney on December 27 before departing on a New Year’s Eve sailing from Sydney to Auckland.

Viking Australia and New Zealand managing director Michelle Black, says this is the first time two Viking ships will be in the region. “We are excited to have two of our ocean ships in local waters later this year.

“After what will be nearly three years since she was last here, it will be fantastic to finally welcome our guests back on board while also providing them with the option of experiencing Viking Mars – one of our newest ships in the fleet,” she says.

Viking’s 2022 and 2023 Australia and New Zealand itineraries will include a 15-day Australia and New Zealand cruise from Sydney to Auckland and a 17-day Komodo and Australian coast, from Bali to Sydney, cruise.

The Viking line will also offer a 29-day Bangkok to Sydney cruise and a 31-day Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia cruise from Auckland to Bali.

In the last pre-pandemic full year, 2018-19, there were 1240 cruise ship visits at 47 Australian ports, including those requiring anchoring and tender transfer, making 3.8 million passenger and crew visit days across the country.