Wollongong on the NSW south coast to receive first cruise ship

Royal Caribbean International’s regional vp Asia Pacific, Gavin Smith, said the visit is the first step in investigating an ongoing relationship between the cruise line and the Illawarra region on the south coast of New South Wales, about an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Sydney.

Smith said the ship will spend a day in port allowing its more than 2,400 passengers from Australia and around the world to explore Illawarra’s beaches, towns and tourist attractions.

He said the visit will be worth more than A$890,000 to the region.

Destination Wollongong board member Councillor Leigh Colacino said the visit has been two years in the making.

‘I am excited to announce that Royal Caribbean ships will soon become a regular sight at Port Kembla and I will be standing dockside to welcome the Radiance of the Seas when she makes her first vist to Wollongong,’ Colacino said.