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12/11/2017 01:12 PM

First maiden visit for 2017/18 cruise season

The cruise ship Norwegian Jewel made its maiden visit to Sydney today as it sailed into Sydney Harbour and was welcomed in to Circular Quay. 

After berthing at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, the arrival of the colourful cruise ship was memorialised in a plaque unveiling between Port Authority CEO, Grant Gilfillan and the Norwegian Jewel’s Captain Kenneth Harstrom.

Port Authority CEO Grant Gilfillan meets Captain Kenneth Harstrom of the Norwegian Jewel​


The maiden visit was the first of the 2017/18 cruise season. Seven more maiden visits are expected over the season, which will see a record 350 cruise ships visit Sydney. Eden, Newcastle and Port Kembla will also see an increase in cruise visits over the year.

The Norwegian Jewel began its voyage in Vancouver and took 39 days to arrive in Sydney. The ship will commence a number of Sydney round trips over the season, calling in at stops such as Eden, Melbourne, Kangaroo Island and Hobart, and will go further afield on longer tours that take in locations including New Zealand, Singapore, Komodo and beyond.

The voyage signifies the entrance of Norwegian Cruise Lines — the third biggest cruise line in the industry — to the Australian market.

In numbers: Norwegian Jewel

• Passengers: 2,376

• Crew: 1,069

• Length: 294m (965ft)

• Beam (width): 38m (125ft)    

• Gross tonnage: 93,502

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