- Voyager of the Seas will enter Port Kembla Harbour between 7.30am and 8am on Wednesday
When the giant cruise ship Voyager of the Seas arrives in Port Kembla Harbour on Wednesday morning it will further cement Wollongong’s standing as a cruise destination.
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Labor’s member for Wollongong Paul Scully is using the visit to call on the NSW Government to include Port Kembla in its 10 Year Cruise Development Plan first announced in June 2014. Mr Scully said the third visit by a Royal Carribbean ship since October means it is time the State Government finalises and releases the final plan. He said it should include Wollongong which has shown it is able to play a significant role in the cruise ship industry.
Wollongong Liberal Councillor Leigh Colacino, who knocked on Royal Caribbean’s door more than four years ago, said the Liberal Party was aware of how he and others have worked really hard to help prove Port Kembla is not only capable of handling cruise ships with its existing facilities but can also be a turnaround port. He said he is always “fighting for growth right now”.
Cr Colacino said the State Government knows what Wollongong is trying to achieve and how it is emerging as a cruise destination.
“I chased around over a long period to try and make sure cruise ships did come into our port,” he said.
Cr Colacino said he has been involved in providing input into the important plan for coastal areas and has volunteered as ambassador with Kiama MP Gareth Ward and Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery to make the thousands of visitors feel welcome.
He said Royal Caribbean has proved Wollongong can do it and can look forward to what else is possible.
Voyager will enter the harbour just after 7.30am. Within an hour hundreds of passengers will start climbing on board Premier Illawarra buses for pre-booked tours.
Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh said Nan Tien Temple, Jamberoo Action Park, Symbio Wildlife Park, Kiama Blowhole and Illawarra Fly are among many locations being visited in a day that will further boost the local visitor economy.
He said thousands will start arriving in the Arts Precinct just after 8.30am and be welcomed by 160 volunteer ambassadors.
“Being a ship that attracts a large number of family groups many of the visitors will want to go to attractions such as Jamberoo Action Park and the beach. And the welcome in the Arts Precinct and Crown Street Mall will show what a fantastic city centre we have on a daily basis in Australia’s most livable city”.
Mr Sleigh said many passengers were now spreading the word about Wollongong being a friendly city and considering returning for a holiday. “The city is now looking forward to talking to other cruise ship companies”.
Cr Colacino is proud of the way the city has embraced his cruise destination dream. He said it is one thing getting the ships to come but making passengers feel so welcome meant Wollongong was becoming known as not only a port of call but a highly sought after tourism, shopping and dining destination.
“There is no where else in the world like us. Wollongong was setting a new benchmark,” he said.
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.
