Darwin to experience its largest cruise ship season 

Darwin Port is expecting 103 cruise and expedition ships this season, making it their largest season ever - with a total passenger capacity of 60,000 people, and an estimated expenditure of $65 million dollars.

Importantly, 45,000 of the visitors will arrive in the traditionally quieter tourism months, between October and April.

The arrival last week of Celebrity Solstice marked the start of Darwin’s cruise ship season.

Carrying 2760 passengers and 1170 crew, it is the first large ship to dock in the 2023-24 season.

Celebrity Solstice arrived in Darwin from Cairns and is then travelling on to Bali, carrying a mix of international and domestic passengers.

The Top End Visitor Information Centre has a team of ambassadors at the cruise ship terminal welcoming visitors, while Tourism NT will be providing a complimentary shuttle service to passengers and crew, operating throughout the day to provide connectivity between the cruise ship terminal and the Top End Visitor Information Centre.

Sister ship Celebrity Edge is one of a number of new ships making their maiden voyage to Darwin this year.

The Northern Territory Government has implemented the Cruise Tourism Strategy 2022-2025 to increase visiting cruise liners and expedition ships and reduce the seasonality of the tourism industry.

NT Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Nicole Manison shared “The cruise season is off to a bumper start and is set to be our biggest yet – providing a crucial economic boost during the quieter visitor months.

“It gives our retailers a sales boost, fills seats in our restaurants and brings tourists to our experienced operators, while thousands of people from around the world get to see our beautiful city.”