Queenslanders will have a wider choice of cruise ships when Royal Caribbean International begins its first Brisbane port season from December.
While P&O Cruise is the most regular cruise company departing and returning from Brisbane, the addition of Royal Caribbean’s Legends of the Seas ship will raise the stakes in the booming cruising market.
Princess Cruises also has regular Brisbane-based cruises, while Carnival has a cruise to Singapore this year.
The 2000-guest Legends of the Seas will first call in Brisbane in June before stopping at Airlie Beach and Cairns on its way to Singapore, before its maiden season in Australia from December this year.
The 70,000 ton ship is one of the largest cruise ships to dock at the Brisbane Cruise Terminal at Hamilton.
Royal Caribbean International commercial director Sean Treacy said the appetite for cruising in Queensland had grown significantly over the years.
According to Mr Treacy, the Legends of the Seas would bring more than $24 million into the Queensland economy in 2015-16 including more than $20.6 million to Brisbane during 17 turnarounds, $15.5 million to Cairns and $1.5million to Airlie Beach during its five calls.
Legends of the Seas will arrive in Brisbane on June 13, Airlie Beach on June 15 and Cairns on June 16 as part of its re-positioning cruise to Singapore.
It returns in December to begin its maiden Australian season covering 15 trips over five months to destinations in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific ranging from two- to 18-nights.
Royal Caribbean says the ship boasts facilities that passengers would not find abroad any other cruise ship sailing from Brisbane.
A feature of the ship is a central atrium where high flying acrobats put aerial displays, an outdoor rock climbing wall, a mini golf course and an indoor swimming pool.
Food lovers are catered for with multiple specialty dining venues, including a sushi restaurant, a 12-seat private dining room, and a two-deck grand dining room.
