Bumper cruise season nets $54m

DARWIN’S cruise ship season came to an end yesterday with the final passengers passing through the port aboard Oceania Cruise’s Insignia luxury cruise vessel.

The ship is two thirds of the way through its 180-day round the world voyage.

Tourism NT market development manager Richard Schoonraad said Insignia’s departure yesterday signalled the end of the Territory’s biggest ever cruise season. About 56,000 people have travelled to Darwin aboard cruise ships this season, a significant increase on previous years.

Mr Schoonraad said the cruise sector was worth $54 million to the Territory economy.

He said Darwin was usually the first Australian port of call for cruise liners.

“This would have been the first taste of Australia for most of those passengers,” he said.

“The top three things Dar- win offers them are nature, wildlife and the laid-back lifestyle.”

Insignia passengers took advantage of the day off the ship with several busloads travelling to Litchfield National Park while some checked out the jumping crocodiles at Adelaide River.

Others visited attractions around Darwin city.

Although the official cruise season is now closed, two more cruise ships will dock in Darwin this financial year.