Cruising into record season of vessels with first Hobart port call

TASMANIA’S record cruise ship season is under way, with the Carnival Spirit docking in Hobart.

Passengers on the first cruise ship of the season to visit Hobart, from left, Gary Tucker, Jasmine Tucker, Elizabeth Tucker, Brock Formosa, front, Naomi Formosa, Shane Formosa all of Brisbane. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

TASMANIA’S record cruise ship season is under way, with the Carnival Spirit docking in Hobart early yesterday.

It is the first of 94 floating hotels set to visit local ports between now and June 22, when a special cruise from Sydney to Hobart — to commemorate Mona’s winter festival Dark MOFO — docks.

Destination Southern Tasmania chief executive Melinda Anderson said the 94 ships represented a 45 per cent increase on last season, and was the most to ever hit our shores.

“This year we are set to have 260,000 passengers visit the state, that's up from the 163,000 from last season,” said Ms Anderson.

“There will definitely be an even stronger increase in the coming seasons too.”

The Carnival Spirit, carrying 2000 passengers, docked in Hobart for a quick day visit before heading off to Port Arthur this morning. It will set sail to Melbourne this afternoon before heading back to Sydney.

Passenger Gary Tucker, from Brisbane, said he and his family have been on quite a few cruises.

“We enjoy cruises because everything is sorted out for you, it’s a nice trip and you get a good deal,” he said.

“This is our first time to Tasmania in 40 years — it’s a beautiful place and we really want to come back.”

Ms Anderson said Tasmania consistently gets great results for cruise ship satisfaction.

“The challenge to the industry now is to make sure they are offering something a bit different to keep people coming back.”

The majority of the ships to Tasmanian this season will come via Melbourne or Sydney with a dozen departing from New Zealand and more arriving from South Australia and other parts of Victoria.

This season will also see the sixth largest cruise ship in the world, The Ovation of the Sea, head to Hobart’s waterfront four times.