Leaders Chart Regional Cruise Growth Course in Newcastle, Australia

Posted on 16 June, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Leaders Chart Regional Cruise Growth Course in Newcastle, Australia

Seven councils and two peak tourism organizations from the Hunter and Central Coast met on June 12 as part of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding.

The aim is to unlock new opportunities for local businesses that can then benefit from the regional cruise industry in NSW.

The Port Authority of New South Wales said in a press release that the meeting marked the official launch of the three-year partnership led by the port.

The meeting was attended by:

Newcastle Council
Lake Macquarie Council
Cessnock Council
Singleton Council
Port Stephens Council
Maitland Council
Central Coast Council
Destination Sydney Surrounds North, and
Newcastle Tourism Industry Group.

The group aims to enhance cruise visitor experiences that support cruise growth and support local businesses to capitalise on increasing opportunities.

A key outcome of the agreement is joint funding for a part-time Cruise Coordinator. The individual will work with cruise lines to expand their itineraries, allowing passengers to experience the best of the Hunter and Central Coast regions.

Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna said the MoU agreement would support local businesses in developing tourism offerings tailored to capture the cruise market over the next decade.

“This partnership is about more than just welcoming cruise ships. It’s about showcasing the incredible experiences the regions have to offer, from the natural beauty of the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley’s world-class wine country to the vibrant energy of Newcastle itself,” said McKenna.

“It’s a win-win: Passengers get unforgettable experiences, and local businesses and communities benefit from the economic opportunities that come with a thriving cruise industry,” McKenna added.

Port Authority of NSW General Manager Cruise Martin Bidgood said: “This landmark agreement is a one-of-a-kind model for the Hunter and Central Coast region, drawing on the combined strengths of the local councils and peak regional tourism bodies.”

“It’s the natural next step following Port Authority’s planned expansion of cruise into Newcastle Harbour through a new 10-year license agreement with Port of Newcastle, announced in 2023,” Bidgood added.

Port Authority added that it draws on expertise from similar successful arrangements, such as at the Port of Eden.

Princess Cruises Adds Third Solar Eclipse Voyage for 2026

Posted on 15 May, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Princess Cruises has announced a third voyage in its 2026 Total Solar Eclipse series: a 14-day Mediterranean & Adriatic with Total Solar Eclipse cruise onboard the Enchanted Princess, departing from Rome.

The new Enchanted Princess sailing joins two other eclipse-focused Princess cruises onboard Sky Princess (August 8, 2026, from Southampton) and Sun Princess (7-, 14- and 21-day itineraries departing from Barcelona and Athens).

Highlights of the Enchanted Princess itinerary, sailing August 4-18, 2026, include:

Civitavecchia (Rome)
Naples (for Capri & Pompeii)
Kotor, Montenegro
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Corfu, Greece
Messina & Palermo, Sicily.
Gibraltar
Alicante, Spain
Barcelona, Spain

“Adding Enchanted Princess to our 2026 solar eclipse lineup allows more guests to be part of this extraordinary moment at sea while exploring breathtaking Mediterranean and Adriatic destinations,” said Terry Thornton, Princess Cruises’ Chief Commercial Officer. “With limited availability on Sky Princess and Sun Princess, we’re excited to give our guests a new opportunity to be part of this rare astronomical event aboard another of our spectacular ships.”

During the eclipse, guests will gather on the top decks with Princess eclipse viewing glasses, and enjoy lectures from astronomy experts, themed treats and drinks, stargazing at night, solar system trivia and more.

Princess said guests are encouraged to set up their own telescopes on deck and wear festive eclipse-themed apparel and accessories.

Cruise Saudi Welcomes First Guests to Saba Beach on New Private Island

Posted on 25 December, 2024 by Spacejunkie2

Cruise Saudi welcomed its first guests to Saba Beach on Jabal AlSabaya, the destination’s newly developed private island, on December 21, according to a company statement.

Located approximately 220 nautical miles from Jeddah, Jabal AlSabaya will be exclusively accessible to cruise passengers, offering a Red Sea experience that highlights local culture and the natural beauty of the coastline.

Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, said: “Since the inception of Cruise Saudi, our vision has been to create unique and exceptional cruise experiences for passengers from around the world. The launch of Saba Beach represents not only a world-class destination but also our commitment to enhancing Saudi’s tourism industry. We are opening up a truly unique area of the region and look forward to welcoming cruise passengers from around the world.”

The destination will include a floating park, a full-service restaurant, retail shops, a VIP beach and VVIP beachfront villas. Guests can also enjoy a spa experience and a shisha lounge, as well as a variety of land and water activities.

Barbara Buczek, chief destination experiences officer of Cruise Saudi, said: “The soft launch of Saba Beach on Jabal AlSabaya is another pioneering and innovative development in the creation of Saudi Arabia’s cruise sector. At the heart of what we offer is the guest experience, showcasing Saudi’s incredible and diverse natural assets, culture and history to our passengers and the launch of Saba Beach represents a milestone in bringing a previously unseen Saudi to the local, regional and international markets.”