Newcastle Cruise Season Gets Underway

NEWCASTLE CRUISE SEASON GETS UNDERWAY

The 294-metre cruise ship, Millennium, will make its inaugural visit to the Port
of Newcastle on the 6th January, marking the beginning of the 2008-09 cruise
season.
 
Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said the Millennium and its 2,000
passenger are scheduled to arrive about 6.15am with the best vantage points
for spectators being Horseshoe Beach, Stockton and the foreshore.
 
“The ship is the largest cruise liner to visit Newcastle and will berth at Dyke
Point about 7am to what I am sure will be another enthusiastic greeting from
Newcastle.
 
“Passengers will be ferried to Queen’s Wharf to enjoy a variety of day tours to
Port Stephens, the vineyards and Hunter Valley, Maitland and Morpeth or
Newcastle itself,” Mr Tripodi said.
 
Minister for the Hunter and Tourism Jodi McKay said the Millennium was
making the stopover on her voyage from Sydney to New Zealand.
 
“The five star Millennium is one of Celebrity Cruises’ largest ships and
passengers are being treated to fine dining and top class entertainment,” Ms
McKay said.
 
“The Millennium boasts a spacious and sophisticated design and décor and
even has a garden featuring the exclusive collection of world-renowned floral
designer Emilio Robba.”
 
The Millennium’s visit to Newcastle is being organised by Cruise Hunter. The
regional enterprise has been based at Newcastle Port Corporation to market
the Hunter Region as a destination for cruise and naval ships.
 
Manager of Cruise Hunter, David Brown, said markets will be held in the
Hunter Street Mall for passengers visiting the city, while entertainment is
being arranged by Livesites.
 
“Millennium is our first cruise ship this season but we have just hosted a very
successful five-day visit by HMAS Newcastle which celebrated its 15th
anniversary in the city,” Mr Brown said.
 
Millennium’s visit will be followed by the Silver Whisper on January 19 and
Seven Seas Mariner on March 27.