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Cruising

Sydney Harbour is a major cruise ship destination and is the only port in Australia with two dedicated cruise-passenger terminals – the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay and Wharf 8 Darling Harbour Passenger Terminal. Both are located in the heart of the city and close to major tourist attractions.

 

The cruise industry is seen globally as the fastest growing segment of the tourism market, with the Australian cruise sector having grown by 35 per cent over the past two years.

 

Through passenger spend, crew spend, port costs, crew and staff wages, the cruise industry in NSW contributed approximately $260 million to the State’s economy last year.

 

During the last international cruise season, which runs annually between November and April, Sydney Harbour cruise facilities received a record number of international vessel visits, 33 in total.  Each year Sydney receives over 100 domestic and international cruise vessels and is home base to the Pacific Dawn, operated by P&O Cruises.

 

One of the standout occasions of the 2006 / 07 cruise season was on 20 February 2007 when the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) and Queen Mary 2 (QM2) both called into Sydney at the same time. The QM2, which made its maiden voyage to Sydney, is the largest cruise ship to visit Sydney. At 148,528 gross tonnes and 344 metres in length it is 40 metres longer than Sydney Tower.

 

2006 / 07 International Cruise Season Facts

 

  • In 2006/07 an estimated 200,000 cruise passengers visited Sydney.
  • The Australian cruise market has grown by 35 per cent over the past two years.
  • QM2 is the largest passenger vessel to visit Sydney: Length 344m, 41m beam, gross tonnage 148,528, hight 72m, decks 19 and a passenger capacity of 3,090 (http://www.qm2.org.uk/facts.html).
  • The QE2 celebrates her 40th anniversary in 2007, launched on 20 September 1967.
  • The cruise industry is valued globally at over US$20 billion (2005).
  • Approximately 11 million people globally took a cruise in 2005.

 ** Information supplied by Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) and International Cruise Council of Australia (ICCA) and Sydney Ports**