Celebrity Solstice brings light
THE first cruise ship of the season will dock at Fort Hill Wharf this morning.
The Celebrity Solstice is due to come into port at 8am and unleash thousands of cashedup passengers on the streets of Darwin.
The 315m vessel will be one of the biggest cruise ships to call into the Top End this cruise ship season, bringing 2627 passengers and 1262 crew.
It’s expected Darwin will be included on the itineraries of 45 cruise ships this season, one more than last year.
Tourism and Culture Minister Lauren Moss said the arrival of cruise ships brought a welcome boost to the Top End’s tourism sector during the off-peak season.
“This is an exciting time for the tourism, business and hospitality in the Top End and I welcome all of the visitors that land on our shores over the next few months,” she said.
“Cruise ship passengers spent an estimated record of $16 million in 2015-16, with the major beneficiaries being our Darwin CBD and Waterfront precincts as well as local tour operators.
“Almost half of all cruise ship visits this season arrive in Darwin on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays, so I strongly encourage retailers, tour operators, cafes and restaurants to open their doors to take advantage of the economic boost these visits could bring.”
The cruise ship season runs until April.
The Celebrity Solstice depart Darwin at 8pm. will