The biggest cruise ship to ever visit Wollongong will show the capability of Port Kembla to handle mega-liners of any size as the region continues its push for more business in the fast growing tourism sector.
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Sunday will be the first of two visits by Explorer of the Seas and follows a survey conducted by volunteer ambassadors during the second by Radiance of the Seas in January.
Explorer was the biggest ship in the world when it was built and first arrived in Australian waters. And #cruisewollongong chair Councillor Leigh Colacino is confident the city will again show how capable it is of handling such big cruise ships and so many passengers at once. So much so he is already encouraging international operators to bring even bigger ships such as Ovation of the Seas here.
Explorer carries almost 4300 passengers and almost 1200 crew which means up to 5500 visitors will arrive on Sunday morning. Ovation carries around 5000 passengers.
Cr Colacino has plenty of material to support his argument and is now armed from the recent survey showing how impressed 219 passengers were on January 29.
“I think we should work towards getting premium ships into our port,” Cr Colacino said.
“If we are going to do that we have to market Wollongong as an entity all of its own. The city has its own personality.”
“We had almost 90 per cent of people off the last ship who had never been to Wollongong before and only 26 per cent of them had ever even heard of Wollongong.”
“But the most telling statistic is that almost 90 per cent of them said they would come back. Even if they don’t make it back that is in their mind and that is what they are telling their friends.”
Cr Colacino said such a response would not be possible if it was not for the natural ability of the city to be friendly.
In addition there are so many things for visitors to want to do and see.
Explorer passengers have already been armed with information about Wollongong.
They were supplied maps of the city before boarding the ship in Sydney so they can pre-plan their visit.
They will be greeted by ambassadors and a Makers Market at the Arts Precinct when they are shuttled into the city on Sunday morning. Their cruise will have already taken them from Sydney to Melbourne and Hobart.
There will also be entertainment from the Con Artists on Sunday who will be performing in the Arts Precinct to add colour and song to the city centre for the thousands of travellers from around the world.
Radiance of the Seas – January 29 survey results
- 219 people surveyed including 80 from the USA, 23 from New Zealand, 26 from Australia, 34 from the United Kingdom and 14 from Europe.
- For 88 per cent of the passengers it was their first time to Wollongong.
- Only 26 per cent had heard of Wollongong before the cruise.
- 99.9 per cent were positive about the city and the visitor experience.
- 99 per cent said they enjoyed their visit.
- 87 per cent said they would choose to come back.
Most popular comments about the visit.
- Friendly city
- Ambassadors were very welcoming
- Beautiful nice city
- Welcoming and accommodating
- Would love to come back
- Very clean
- Easy to get around.
Fast facts – Explorer of the Seas
Ship stats
- Gross Tonnage 138,000
- Length 312.4 m (1,025ft)
- Max Beam 48 m (157.5ft)
- Draft 8.8 m (29ft)
- Cruising Speed 22 knots
The people
- 4290 guests
- 1185 international crew
On board
- 15 decks
- 10 pools/whirlpools including Flowrider surf simulator
- 15 bars, clubs and lounges
- 3D movie theatre
- Rock wall
- Basketball court
- Ice-skating rink
- Mini-golf course
- Running track
- 3-storey dining room
- Real-time virtual balconies
Read more:
- Wollongong is cruising for more business with 6500 more visitors set to sail into Port Kembla
- New cruise ship visits to Port Kembla are providing more chances to showcase the Gong globally as the world's friendliest city to visit
- Wollongong the cruisiest place to visit in the world thanks to volunteers and business people
- MSC Magnifica and Norwegian Jewel cruise liners announce Wollongong visits
- More than 150 volunteer ambassadors and a makers market will welcome cruise ship passengers to Wollongong on Monday
- String ambassador Sarah Moir impresses on the high seas and then onshore with the rest of The String Family
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.
