Cruise season set to kick off in time for school holidays
Passenger ships
More than 65,000 cruise-ship passengers visited Port Douglas in the 2024/25 financial year, according to the latest Tourism Tropical North Queensland figures released last week.
And close to 42,000 have already committed to visiting Port on 15 ships between now and the start of April, with the first arrival Celebrity Splendor due on Monday (September 22).
There were more than 140 cruise-ship arrivals in total in Port Douglas, Cooktown, Yorkeys Knob, Cairns and Thursday Island in 2024/25, with the boat-visitation numbers remaining steady from the previous financial year.
On top of the Port Douglas passenger figures, more than 173,000 passengers visited Cairns and Yorkeys Knob, close to 7000 went to Cooktown and more than 8000 to Thursday Island - adding up to about 253,000 passenger visits to ports in the region.
Tourism Port Douglas Daintree staff and volunteers are preparing for the return of cruise ships to the region next week.
“A huge thank you to our incredible Port Douglas volunteer ambassadors, whose warm welcome plays such a vital role in creating memorable first impressions and turning cruise visitors into long-term fans of our destination,” a TPDD spokeswoman stated.
TTNQ chief executive Mark Olsen said earlier in the year there had been a 40 per cent increase in the economic value of cruise ships visiting Port Douglas, Yorkeys Knob and Cairns in the 2023/24 financial year.
“Economic data gathered by the Australian Cruise Association shows the 231,517 passenger days and 29,682 crew in 2023-24 generated a $213.7 million boost to the economy,” he said.
“The cruise market is a much-needed addition to our summer shoulder season bringing in strong visitor numbers for operators working in that market.”
In 2022/23 cruise ships returned to Far North Queensland following Covid-19, with about 160 visits to the region’s ports that financial year.
To help promote the tourism-industry sector, TTNQ ran a cruise seminar in May for close to 100 members and representatives of three major cruise lines, which showcased what passengers can do in Port Douglas, the Daintree region and Cairns, including dining, attractions and other experiences.
“TTNQ, in partnership with Ports North, continues to drive growth in the cruise market by working with the cruise industry, local operators and volunteers,” the report states.
The industry plans to “expand the quality and variety of activities available to cruise visitors and ensure the region continues to score well in visitor reviews that are key to our ports’ ongoing inclusion in future cruise schedules”, according to the report.
Douglas Shire welcomed back cruise ships in June 2022 after Covid-19 caused a temporary halt to the industry.
The Coral Princess was the first of the big boats to return, with close to 2000 tourists and crew exploring the town’s shops and restaurants and other regional attractions.
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