Published on Wednesday, 19 February 2020 at 11:05:53 AM
Albany will get an unexpected influx of cruise ships next month.
Three cruise ships have confirmed they will add Albany to their schedules for the first time, taking the number of cruises visiting our shore this season to 14.
The ships will bring more than 9,000 extra passengers, with Arcadia arriving on Sunday, March 8 with 2,400 on board, Costa Deliziosa on Saturday, March 14 with 3,350, and Explorer Dream on Tuesday, March 17, also with 3,350.
According to the Australian Cruise Association, each passenger that disembarks spends $387 on average, giving Albany a possible injection of more than $1.3 million if half of passengers come ashore.
Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said it was great news for Albany.
“We’ll welcome them with open arms,” he said. “We think it’s wonderful that these three ships have chosen to come to Albany and we hope they enjoy everything our city has to offer and come back again in future.
“Cruise visits are really important to us and brought about $6 million into the economy last season, so our tourism operators and other businesses really get a benefit.”
With the Arcadia arriving on a Sunday, the Mayor encouraged small retailers to take advantage of the extra trade that would be in town.
“We appreciate it’s a personal choice that many shops choose to close on a Sunday even though they’re allowed to open, but if its viable for them we would certainly encourage them to reconsider on this occasion.
“Volunteers will be there to welcome the passengers as usual and all the tours and other services our community usually extends on cruise ship visits will be activated.”
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