Star Princess – the biggest moving object ever to visit the Northern Territory – arrives in Darwin today as part of a history-making season in Australia that has seen a record 22,000 passengers cruise on the giant liner.
Bigger than 280 jumbo jets and three metres higher than Darwin’s tallest building – Marrakai Apartments – the $1 billion megaliner docks at Fort Hill Wharf at 1pm and will sail for Malaysia at 8pm.
P&O Cruises has marked the visit of Star Princess by announcing that an even bigger liner, the new 113,000-ton Sapphire Princess, will be based in Australia for a season next summer, visiting Darwin on March 15, 2005.
Operated by Princess Cruises – the US sister line to P&O Cruises Australia – the 109,000-ton Star Princess has delivered an instant tourism boom to Darwin, with a capacity 2700 passengers and many of the 1100 crew spending the afternoon ashore before leaving Australia.
The maiden arrival of Star Princess in Darwin is the last of 23 calls at Australian ports since the ship – the biggest liner ever to sail ‘Down Under’ – arrived in Australia for a season of cruises in November 2003.
Today’s visit is also part of a mini cruise boom for Darwin this month, with a maiden call to Darwin on February 18 by P&O Cruises’ 77,000-ton UK superliner, Adonia, and a visit on February 26 by UK sister-ship, the 76,000-ton Aurora.
“Cruising is booming around the world and Star Princess’ arrival here in Darwin shows that a record number of Australians and overseas visitors are seeking holidays at sea in our region,” P&O Cruises Australia Managing Director Gavin Smith said.
“Darwin has grown to become a very popular cruise destination and we know locals welcome cruise ships with open arms so the city can look forward to visits by more megaliners in the future,” he said.
More than twice the size of the legendary Titanic, larger than the world’s biggest aircraft carrier and 43 per cent bigger than the previous biggest ship to visit Australia, the 2700-passenger Star Princess carried more than 22,000 passengers, including 4000 Australians, during her summer season here.
“Star Princess is not only a spectacularly massive vessel, she also represents a huge boon for Australia’s tourism industry. Every one of her 23 visits to Australian ports this summer generated up to $1 million in revenue for host cities through passenger and crew spending, port fees and fuel and supplies.” Mr Smith said. “Cruising is a huge industry and it’s clearly getting bigger.”
The luxurious Star Princess boasts a glass-walled nightclub suspended above the stern of the ship, a wedding chapel, nine restaurants and cafes, 12 bars, five pools, nine jacuzzis, a two-storey theatre, mini golf course, art gallery, casino, spa complex and 1300 cabins – 710 with their own private balcony. Fares were available from A$167 per person per day including all meals.
For more information on big ship cruising in 2004, call P&O Cruises on 13 24 69 or visit www.pocruises.com.au.