The arrival of the Coral Princess cruise ship has signalled the resumption of ocean cruise liners into Territory waters, renewing opportunities for the jurisdiction’s hospitality and tourism businesses impeded by the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has said.

The Territory was the first jurisdiction to welcome back international expedition ships in April this year. The latest arrival, the Coral Princess, has capacity for 1,970 passengers.

The NT Government is forecasting the tourism and hospitality industry’s revenues to increase, brought about by cruise liners and expedition ships over the next three years.

Cruise liners offer financial infusions into the Territory’s economy during our low tourist season. For this season, Darwin is set to host 37 cruise ships with a combined capacity of 44,130 passengers.

Visiting cruise ships generated an estimated $60 million of annual expenditure within the Territory before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

“We are excited to welcome cruise liners back into Territory waters and are looking forward to the arrival of the passengers and crew on board the Coral Princess for her maiden voyage to Territory waters,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Nicole Manison said.

Coral Princess passengers were greeted upon arrival by Tourism Top End visitor information ambassadors, a performance by didgeridoo artist eMDee at the Port, live music in the Mall, and the Larrakia Nation performing Welcome to Country ceremonies.

The ship, with a capacity for 1,970 passengers, received a warm Darwin welcome for its maiden visit and was celebrated with an official plaque exchange between the ship and Darwin Port.

Passengers of the ship spent the day touring around Darwin City, shopping at retail outlets, and dining at the city’s hospitality venues. The cruise ship is scheduled to depart around 8pm Thursday night.