Christmas cruise arrivals are a gift to businesses, says acting premier

Thousands of cruise ship passengers will be celebrating Christmas Tassie-style and local businesses are being urged to celebrate with them.

THOUSANDS of cruise ship passengers will be celebrating Christmas Tassie style tomorrow and local businesses should celebrate with them, acting Premier Jeremy Rockliff says.

P&O’s Pacific Jewel docked in Hobart on Monday, Holland America’s Maasdam will arrive on Christmas Day and Princess Cruises Majestic Princess is set to berth on Boxing Day.

Mr Rockliff said the arrival of the ships is “great” for businesses and tourism operators in southern Tasmanian.

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“Tourism is one of our State’s great competitive advantages,” he said.

“The arrival of these three cruise ships over the festival period shows that Tasmania is open for business … and indicates our strategy to grow cruise ship visitation is working.”

P&O’s Pacific Jewel docked at Macquarie Wharf.

The Government has estimated the three ships’ visitors will inject about $1 million into the local economy.

The Majestic Princess docked in Hobart. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Mr Rockliff said cruise ships are a significant contributor to Tasmania’s economy.

“Last year, passengers and crew spent $34.5 million with the state’s tourism operators, retailers and hospitality sector.”

As many as 8000 passengers are expected to disembark in Hobart across the three days with 3096 passengers and crew onboard Maasdam and 4906 on Majestic Princess.

Figures were not available for the Pacific Jewel, however the ship will be returning on January 5 with 1950 passengers and 621 crew.

Sneak peek inside cruise ship Majestic Princess

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Captain of the Majestic Princess Dino Sagani. Picture: PATRICK GEE

“The Government understands we need to get the balance right, to ensure we are able to meet the needs of our visitors without detracting from the things that make Tasmania such a desirable place to live and visit,” Mr Rockliff said.

“That’s why we are working with cruise operators to increase the number of Tasmanian ports included on cruise line itineraries, looking at how to attract more boutique international vessels with quality niche tours that get visitors out to our regions, and considering innovative ways to increase the amount of specialty Tasmanian products on board cruise ships.”

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