Rhapsody to officially close Australian summer cruise season
Nahrain John· 17 Apr 2014
The Australian summer cruise season will officially close, when Rhapsody of the Seas sails out of Sydney Harbour tomorrow.
Overall, Sydney welcomed 159 ship visits over the six-month period, an increase of 19 compared to last year.
Of those, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships made a total of 73 cruises, including 59 turnarounds in Sydney Harbour.
Across Australia, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises recorded a 12 percent increased in the number of passengers this season, which reached a record total of 190,000 guests on its five ships – Rhapsody of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Celebrity Solstice, Radiance of the Seas and Celebrity Millennium.
Regional vice president Asia Pacific Gavin Smith said the increase was from both local and international travellers.
"Since introducing two of the largest and most luxurious ships ever to be based in Australia last season, we have seen increased demand from Australian and international guests who see cruising as an exciting and hassle-free way to explore the region," he explained.
The line has also experienced an increase in bookings of multi-generational travellers including grandparents, parents and kids travelling together.
Australians and New Zealanders dominate the passenger list at 75 percent followed by nationalities from 134 other countries including Ethiopia and Uzbekistan.
Royal Caribbean International ships will return later this year for the 2014/15-summer season.
Rhapsody of the Seas will be the first to arrive on 3 October 2014.
She will be followed by Celebrity Century, arriving for her first season in Australia on 10 October; Radiance of the Seas will arrive on 11 October; Celebrity Solstice on 23 October; and Voyager of the Seas will sail in on 8 December following a $75 million refurbishment.
AustraliaCelebrity CruisesCruiseRhapsody of the SeasRoyal Caribbeanwave seaosn
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