Monday 14 September

Port Douglas welcomes the most Cruise Ships ever

Port Douglas is bracing itself to receive four luxury cruise ships in four consecutive days from 4th to 7th December. 

On the 4th December, Dawn Princess with approx 1,500 passengers is the first to arrive from the P&O line followed by its sister ship the Grand Class Diamond Princess hosting some 2,670 passengers.  On Sunday 6th December the Super Liner, The World with its approx 500 first class passengers arrives at 8.00am with the Royal Caribbean Vision Class liner, The Rhapsody of the Seas arrives with its 2,435 passengers just 30 minutes behind.

We're delighted to say that The World is staying for a second day and doesn't leave Port Douglas waters until the evening of the 7th December.

The total potential inflow of visitors over these four busy days is anything upwards of 8,000 passengers.  "This is the most people we have ever had to host over a four day period" said Jason Roles, Marina Manager, "We are looking forward to welcoming the passengers and helping them to experience everything Port Douglas can offer".

TPDD, Radio Port Douglas and Tourismportdouglas.com.au will be helping the Marina staff to meet and greet the disembarking passengers to guide them in the right direction for their tours, attractions and shopping needs.

The town and its amenities will be heaving throughout these four days.  What an opportunity to encourage these holidaymakers to make this first visit to Port Douglas the start of a regular repeat experience for them.  It's not often we get such a captive audience to showcase our little piece of paradise !

Editors Comments: Whilst retaining the integrity of our destination, Port Douglas has clearly been flagged as having the necessary attributes similar to the established Meditterranean and Caribbean hot spots for Cruise Ship visitors.  It's our job, therefore,  to ensure that when these cruisers are here on our shores that we, as representatives, of our region make every effort to welcome them.  These four ships have approx 8,000 passengers so just using the established tourism equation of each passenger having an influence over 15 family and friends when they get back to share their holiday experience you can see just how important these visitors should be to port Douglas.