In just over a week’s time history will be made when passengers disembark from a cruise ship at Port Kembla.

Hundreds of local people have registered to be volunteers for the day to assist the 2400 passengers who will be enjoying our region before their final return leg of the journey to Sydney.

It just goes to show the sense of anticipation and pride the region is feeling around this moment..

It’s opening up a new world of tourism to our region and giving the world an understanding that the Illawarra is a legitimate cruise destination.

We already know more ships are booked and no doubt we will hear of many more to come yet.

But this is different. It’s a “first” and that makes it special.

The Illawarra Mercury will have a special insight into the cruise, which many locals have actually booked to be a part of again due to the sense of pride of being involved in local history.

One of our reporters Greg Ellis will be on board and will be filing for us throughout the journey for both the illawarramercury.com.au and our printed edition.

Greg will be providing live vision via our Facebook page on board as the Radiance of the Seas makes her way into the Port Kembla harbour.

We will also feature a special commemorative edition of the Illawarra Mercury on Saturday, October 29.

A special feature will be inserted into the edition providing locals with all the information they need and passengers with a special momento of the journey.

The feature, a unique print publication the equivalent of eight broadsheet pages, has been done in conjunction with Destination Wollongong, Destination NSW, Ports NSW and Harley Days.

It will include information on the best vantage points to see the ship, details of the festival at Lang Park, information on the Harley Days event that weekend and more. Only eight more sleeps.

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