First large cruise liner back in WA since COVID 19, the Coral Princess, set to dock in Broome in October

After almost 2½ years, Broome will welcome the first cruise liner back to its shores next month in what is being labelled a major coup for the local tourism industry. Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess will depart Sydney on October 11, travelling around the top end of Australia before arriving in Broome and then setting sail for Geraldton, Fremantle, Margaret River and Albany. It’s the first cruise liner to visit WA shores in more than two years, and comes after the State Government moved to allow vessels with a capacity of more than 350 guests back from October 1. Cruise Broome chair and recently appointed Australian Cruise Association committee member Shayne Murray said the return was significant for the tourist-driven economy of the town. “When a large ship of up to two-and-a-half thousand people docked in Broome pre-COVID, they spent around half a million dollars in town on the day,” he said. This was echoed by Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive chair Sharni Foulkes who said returning cruise ships would have an “awesome” impact on the local economy. “It’s a great opportunity for businesses, having thousands of extra people coming down the main street of town,” she said. Two other cruise liners, the MS Noordam and the Oceania Regatta, will also visit Broome this year, arriving on November 27 and 28 with the Oceania Regatta returning to Broome again in December. Mr Murray said it marked “just the beginning” of the resurgence of cruises in Broome and WA. “We see a very strong future for cruises in Broome,” he said. “It will be a busy year in 2023 and even busier in 2024. We already have five big ships coming in March.” Mr Murray also said his recent appointment to the ACA committee will help Broome bolster its reputation in the cruise industry as a prime location to visit. “The relationship between the ACA and the cruise line industry itself is very strong so, for us, it’s going to be good,” he said. Before COVID-19 shutdown international and domestic travel to WA the cruise ship sector generated $261.9 million and supported 935 jobs locally with 106 vessels visiting the State. With the end of the pandemic in sight and stringent COVID policies in place on cruise ships, Mr Murray said passengers have a low risk of contracting the virus while on board. “There’s 270 cruise ships operating all around the world now and they all have the same policies and procedures,” he said. “Their protocols are of a lot higher standard than you’ll see in any land-based hotel.” The return of larger cruise vessels comes after restrictions for smaller cruise liners were eased in April earlier this year, allowing vessels with a crew and passenger total below 350 people to restart operation.