First cruise ship, the Coral Princess, docks in Geraldton as bumper 2023-24 cruise season begins

The Coral Princess docked in the port on Friday, sending a frenzy of holidaymakers throughout the city and signifying the beginning of what is set to be a bumper 2023-24 cruising season. Having departed from Broome, the Coral Princess is carrying 1974 passengers and docked in Geraldton all day on Friday before heading to Fremantle. The City of Greater Geraldton is anticipating a busy cruise season, with seven visits from five different ships scheduled between November 2023 and May 2024. The economic impact is significant, with millions of dollars projected to benefit the local economy, boosting local businesses including restaurants, shops and tour operators. Four of the scheduled ships will bring more than 1500 passengers each, ensuring a lively atmosphere in the city throughout the season. As Greater Geraldton solidifies its position as a key destination on Western Australia’s cruise circuit, residents and businesses look forward to the economic boost and cultural exchange accompanying each ship’s arrival. City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Jerry Clune is excited to see the cruise ships return. “More than 11,000 people visited the Mid West last cruise season, boosting our economy and providing a huge number of visitors with a taste of the Mid West that they otherwise might not have experienced,” he said. Last year’s cruise season featured 11 visits from seven ships, with 11,240 passengers injecting $3.3 million into the local economy. The City has again engaged local events company Euphorium and Mid West Ports Authority to provide cruise ship coordination services for the 2023-24 season. A hub was once again set up on Marine Terrace as a conduit for passengers and what the city and region has to offer. MWPA CEO Damian Tully said: “Cruise tourism is extremely important to the Mid West economy, injecting millions of dollars each year into our local businesses.” To view the details of upcoming visits go to visitgeraldton.com.au.