Dark Mofo Cruise confirmed to return in 2019

DARK Mofo lovers will again have the chance to visit Hobart’s winter festival by the high seas in 2019, with P&O Cruises offering its second mid-winter voyage to Tasmania’s capital next June.

Dark Mofo marketing director Nicole Smith said the company would again offer a six-day return cruise from Sydney to Hobart in 2019. Picture: Supplied

INTERSTATE fans of Dark Mofo will have the chance to visit Hobart’s winter festival by sea in 2019, with P&O Cruises offering its second midwinter voyage next June.

And festival organisers are hoping to make the cruise an annual piece of the Dark Mofo puzzle.

In 2017, Dark Mofo was boosted by 2000 interstate visitors that sailed from Sydney to Hobart on board the Pacific Jewel as part of P&O’s first Dark Mofo Cruise.

As a result of its success, Dark Mofo marketing director Nicole Smith said the company would again offer a six-day return cruise from Sydney to Hobart in 2019.

P&O’s website states the cruise would be on board the Pacific Explorer, which holds 2000 people, from June 18-24. It will include two days and two nights in Hobart from June 20-22, a priority pass to the Winter Feast as well as a ferry ride and entry to Mona.

Ms Smith said organisers were planning to make the cruise an annual event.

“We want this to be an ongoing relationship as the visitor accommodation shortage is helped by having some 2000 beds floating on the Derwent,” she said.

“You get 2000 more interstate patrons coming in and while they’re only here for two nights, it’s certainly good for the festival.”

P&O’s website states: “Our Dark Mofo cruise visits in time for the hugely popular Dark Mofo Winter Feast, a contemporary take on the medieval midwinter banquet.”

Last year, passengers on board the Pacific Jewel spent two nights and three days in Hobart.

Demand for tickets had originally led P&O to book the cruise for this year’s festival but Ms Smith said the dates didn’t work out on the cruise giant’s schedule.

Next year’s cruise is priced from $599 a head for a four-person room.