“The increase in visits and the attraction of new operators has been influenced by two recent initiatives by the port,” said David Brown, cruise development coordinator, Port of Newcastle (Australia).

“The introduction of competitive port pricing, including an innovative concession on navigation charge for maiden visits, has made Newcastle commercially attractive.”

And the news is good, with 13 visits from seven cruise lines scheduled for this season, and Celebrity bringing the Solstice back for the next two years.

Newcastle is the closest cruise port to Sydney and provides lines with various itinerary options and flexibility around potential berth congestion in Sydney.

Added Brown: “We are a cosmopolitan port city with magnificent beaches surrounded by the Hunter Valley wine region, whale and dolphin watching at Port Stephens and sand boarding at the Stockton sand dunes are a few of the advantages for cruise lines to include Newcastle on itineraries.”