SUN PRINCESS DOCKS IN DARWIN
ALMOST 2000 cruise passengers are expected to inundate the Top End today as the Sun
Princess docks in the harbour. The 261m ship, which cost $300 million to build, is due to arrive about 12.15pm with passengers disembarking at 1.30pm.
The 1937 passengers onboard, along with 860 crew, will provide a much-needed boost for business as they browse the Smith St Mall’s shops and enjoy tourist activities and day trips.
The Sun Princess regularly stops in at Darwin as it travels from Fremantle to Sydney.
It is the last of three touristladen cruise ships to arrive in the Top End during the past fortnight which have brought more than 5500 passengers to our shores.
Port Darwin MLA Paul Kirby has said the cruise-ship industry was worth about $87.6 million each year to the NT economy.
“Darwin is a popular cruiseship port, with the cruise-ship season creating jobs and providing a boost to the local economy in what is typically the low tourism season,” Mr Kirby said. “From October last year through to July this year, Darwin will welcome 43 cruise ships and more than 47,700 passengers.”
The Labor Gunner Government has been planning to grow the number of cruise ships visiting the Northern Territory, using the newly developed NT Cruise Sector Activation Plan.