Luxury cruise ship, Celebrity Edge arrived in Darwin yesterday, carrying 2809 passengers and 1288 crew on its maiden voyage to Top End waters.
Celebrity Edge offers five-star accommodation with 1,467 cabins and suites and is now one of the first resorts at sea to receive a Recommended Rating from Forbes Travel Guide.
103 cruise and expedition ships are expected to visit Darwin throughout the 2023-24 season, with a total passenger capacity of 60,000 people, contributing $65 million to our economy.
Importantly, 45,000 of these visitors will arrive in the traditionally quieter tourism months, between October and April.
Upon arrival the mostly international passengers and crew were treated to a Welcome to Country and traditional dancing from Larrakia Nation followed by a warm welcome from the Top End Visitor Information Centre ambassadors.
This is the second Celebrity Cruises ship to arrive in the Top End, following a visit from Celebrity Solstice last month, in what is expected to be the NT’s largest cruise season yet.
Cruise ships provide a welcome boost to Darwin tourism operators, retailers and hospitality businesses with passengers shopping, dining and exploring Darwin and surrounds.
Arriving from Singapore on the final leg of its cruise to the South Pacific the ship will complete her journey in Sydney.
The Northern Territory Cruise Tourism Strategy 2022-2025 provides a clear roadmap to grow cruise tourism over the next three years.
To view the upcoming cruise ship arrivals visit darwinport.com.au or to learn more about the cruise market and view the NT Cruise Tourism Strategy go to
tourismnt.com.au/strategies
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Joel Bowden:
“We were thrilled to welcome Celebrity Edge passengers to the Territory yesterday, and sure they enjoyed some of our very best tourism experiences while docked here in Darwin.
“Cruise tourism is a huge economic contributor to our tourism industry and provides a welcome boost to local tour operators, retailers and the hospitality industry.
“This year is expected to be our biggest cruise season yet, injecting an estimated $65 million dollars into our economy and bring an estimated 45,000 visitors to Darwin in the traditionally quieter tourism months, between October and April.”
Quotes attributable to Celebrity Cruises Vice President and Managing Director of Australia and APAC, Tim Jones:
“After much anticipation, the moment we’ve all been waiting for finally arrived as we welcome Celebrity Edge to the pearl of the NT, Darwin, for her first port of call in Australia, before she heads to Sydney to start her 2023/24 AUNZ cruise season.
“We are pleased to announce that Australians are embracing Edge in record numbers, with the first three sailings a sellout, we are encouraging those wanting to experience Edge to book soon for the first quarter of 2024.
“Celebrity Edge offers a remarkable experience that stands apart from anything else at sea, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience everything she has to offer and showcase our beautiful country to local and international cruisers”.
Northern Territory Government
