Celebrity Edge Makes First Call to Newcastle, Australia

The Celebrity Edge visited Newcastle for the first time on Saturday, bringing more than 4,000 passengers and crew to the Australian port.

According to Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna, the 306 meter Celebrity Edge is the longest cruise ship to call at the port this season.

“From wine tasting in the Hunter Valley, to getting up close with Australian wildlife on the Central Coast and Port Stephens, and exploring Newcastle’s historic sites, this visit showcases why the region is a must-visit on Australia’s cruise map,” McKenna said.

“Cruise visitation is a key driver of regional recovery and growth, and the passengers and crew aboard the Celebrity Edge will make a significant contribution.”

The arrival of the Celebrity Edge comes as Newcastle wraps up its summer cruise season, with roughly 14,000 passengers and crew expected to pass through the port. MS The World, the largest private residential yacht, is scheduled to call next on December 19.

The port authority noted in a press release that the region’s strong support for cruising was highlighted earlier this year with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding cruise tourism. The agreement was developed by the authority and signed by seven local councils, Destination Sydney Surrounds North (DSSN) and the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group (NTIG).

DSSN General Manager Glenn Caldwell said that in the six months since the MoU was announced, it has already delivered meaningful benefits for local tourism.

“Our on-ground Cruise Coordinator has secured local guides to accompany cruise ship passengers on shore excursion tours and worked with NTIG to onboard more than 50 Welcome Volunteers,” he said.

“We’ve also delivered cruise support to businesses via workshops in our region, in collaboration with Destination NSW, to help businesses create and deliver great experiences for the Newcastle cruise market. We have also developed new website content to support the growth of cruise.”

According to the port authority, the MoU aims to help local businesses design cruise focused tourism experiences, improve the visitor journey and fund a part time cruise coordinator role.