The arrival of Voyager of the Seas in Wollongong just after 7am on Tuesday may be even more important for the city than the inaugural visit by a cruise ship on October 30.
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In fact Royal Caribbean’s second mega-liner appearance may prove to be one of the most important days in the city’s tourism history.
The cruise industry is one the fastest growing tourism sectors in the world and the welcome Wollongong gives for the second visit to a new destination by a giant passenger ship may be more significant and have a greater impact than the first visit on October 30.
The significance of this week’s arrival of the ocean giant Voyager was summed up recently by Royal Caribbean’s senior vice president international Gavin Smith when he said if a cruise line does something once all the other operators find it interesting. If they do it a second time everyone really takes notice “because it probably means it is successful”.
That is why Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh said it is in the whole region’s interest to make Voyager’s 4200 passengers and 1200 crew feel really welcome. He said Wollongong had already earned the reputation as a friendly city after the Radiance of the Seas visit and this week was a chance to really reinforce that reputation.
“The eyes of the international cruise industry will almost definitely be on Wollongong..after the phenomenal success of the maiden voyage of Radiance of the Seas. Wollongong definitely demonstrated we were cruise ready and I think the rest of the industry will be watching...to see if we can back that up with another fantastic day”.
The first passengers will arrive in the city centre at 8.20am on Tuesday. Voyager will meet a tug boat off Flagstaff Hill at 7am and be docked in Port Kembla by 8am. The Arts Precinct is the drop off point for the shuttle buses and the final bus will head back to the ship at 4pm before the 200 volunteer ambassadors gather at Wollongong Golf Club for a thank you function.
Just Cruisin’s Steve Melchior has offered to take Voyager’s Captain Sindre Borsheim for a tour after Radiance Captain Goran Peterson told him about his trike ride. Destination Wollongong chair Tania Brown said when the ship will departs at 5pm, Flagstaff Hill and coastal vantage points in the northern suburbs will provide good views. Voyager will return on on January 18. Mr Sleigh thanked businesses in the CBD for being so willing to open their doors for the Voyager passengers during the Christmas holiday period. He said that was helping showcase Wollongong as not only a friendly city but a 24/7 city that could handle several cruise ships at a time.
Voyager of the Seas stats:
4,269 guests
1,176 crew
Rock-climbing wall
137,276 GRT
Ice skating rink
Nine-hole miniature golf course
Flowrider surf simulator
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
