CELEBRITY Cruises has made its maiden arrival into Newcastle over the weekend, with Celebrity Edge bringing thousands of passengers to the Hunter. The 306-metre-long Edge (pictured) is the largest vessel to visit Newcastle this season, with more than 4,000 passengers distributed around the region. Port Authority of NSW Chief Exec...
CELEBRITY Cruises has made its maiden arrival into Newcastle over the weekend, with Celebrity Edge bringing thousands of passengers to the Hunter.
The 306-metre-long Edge (pictured) is the largest vessel to visit Newcastle this season, with more than 4,000 passengers distributed around the region.
Port Authority of NSW Chief Exec John McKenna hailed the arrival of Edge into Newcastle.
“From wine tasting in the Hunter Valley, to getting up close with Australian wildlife on the Central Coast and Port Stephens, and exploring Newcastle’s historic sites, this visit showcases why the region is a must-visit on Australia’s cruise map,” he said
“Cruise visitation is a key driver of regional recovery and growth, and the passengers and crew aboard Celebrity Edge will make a significant contribution to the local economy.”
Edge will contribute to the approximately 14,000 passengers and crew members set to call in Newcastle this season.
The World, the largest private residential yacht, is the next ship to arrive, calling in on Fri.
Edge’s arrival is welcome news for Newcastle, NSW’s second-largest city, which last month watched Viking cancel all of its calls in the destination for the remainder of the year due to planned anti-coal protests at the port (CW 10 Nov).
This came after a number of local councils and tourism leaders united to chart a course for rural cruise growth in Newcastle, with the aim of enhancing cruise experiences (CW 13 Jun). MS
