Fourteen ships from five cruise lines delivered over 20,000 passengers to our shores between November 2017 and April 2018, generating an estimated $4.7million in direct spend and an estimated $2.8million in return visitor spend for the local economy.

Adding to the economic benefit were port fees, passenger and crew expenditure tipping the estimate to more than $8million.

“Eden is blessed with high disembarkation rates for a tender port,” Sapphire Coast Tourism cruise manager Natalie Godward said.

“This season we realised an average of 90 per cent disembarkation rate which is exceptionally high for a tender port.”

While visiting the Sapphire Coast, an average of 18 per cent of passengers explored the region through an organised tour. Tours included national park visits, history and heritage and sightseeing, with immersive tours like kayaking, oyster and brewery tour, and newly added 4WD Green Cape Explorer and walking tours being the most popular.

Most passengers chose to explore Eden through local tours sold by the Eden Visitor Information Centre or independently by organising their own tours, setting out on foot or taking the shuttle bus into town.

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Debbie Meers, tourism teacher at Bega TAFE and Sapphire Coast Anglican College said the community had embraced the cruise ships and provided amazing shore experiences.

She praised Sapphire Coast Tourism for continuing to partner with TAFE NSW in providing industry training.

“Passenger feedback this season praised our guides for their knowledge and expertise in providing the best tour experiences,” Ms Meers said.

“Our Meet and Greet volunteers from the community and students from high schools across the Bega Valley, continue to provide a fantastic welcome for passengers coming ashore. Our port is quite renowned with the cruise lines for the service our team provides to passengers.”

Along with three maiden voyages to the port, the 2017/18 cruise season saw some significant milestones with the biggest ship to visit Eden, the Norwegian Jewel, bringing 2400 passengers to Eden on two occasions.

Another highlight was Pacific Explorer’s last-minute decision to deviate their itinerary to Eden instead of Moreton Island due to mechanical issues, giving Eden not only one of our best cruise visits ever, but also a successful wedding at Seahorse Inn with local support making the day memorable.

“Being able to pull the community together in less than 24 hours for a last-minute visit is a great achievement that cruise lines such as Carnival will remember,” Ms Godward said.

“We’re lucky to have such a supportive community to be able to do that. It stands Eden in very good stead as a regional port.”

The 2018/19 cruise season currently has 17 ships booked in, including six maiden voyages and visits from high end expedition vessels Noble Caledonia, Viking Ocean Cruises and Crystal Cruises.

If anyone wishes to join the Cruise Eden team as a volunteer or guide, please contact Cruise Eden.