Luxury cruise ships are poised to return to the Sunshine Coast after almost three years absence.
Five floating hotels are expected to arrive early next year, providing a windfall to the region.
The refurbished 312-passenger Star Breeze, from Windstar Cruises, will be the first to anchor off Mooloolaba’s shores on January 30.
In a bumper two days, Amera (835 passengers) will arrive on February 6, while Silver Muse (596 passengers) and Golden Horizon (272 passengers) will be welcomed on February 7.
TMS Regatta (824 passengers) will arrive on March 2, while Star Breeze is expected to return towards the end of 2023.
Visit Sunshine Coast worked with Sunshine Coast Council and Tourism and Events Queensland to attract cruise ships back to Mooloolaba.
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said the visitors would lift the local economy, outside of the traditional tourism timeframes.
“Many of the arrivals will be during the week and outside of peak holiday periods, making the Sunshine Coast a year-round destination,” he said.
Ten ocean liners came to the Sunshine Coast in 2019 and early 2020, before their visits were halted by the pandemic.
Mr Stoeckel said cruise ships generally provided a significant boost to the region.
“They anchor off the coast and tender into the port of Mooloolaba,” he said.
“Most cruise ships would have passengers disembark for a day visit of the region.
“Arriving ships have anywhere between 300 to 2800 travellers aboard.
“Traditionally, Mooloolaba has a high percentage of passengers disembarking and discovering the region — more than 80 per cent.
“About 20 to 30 per cent of passengers book tours and are dispersed into the region, with the remainder discovering the region independently.
“In most cases, operators and local restaurants report strong trading on the day of arrivals.”
The Mooloolaba Surf Club generally welcomes up to 300 tourists when a cruise ship anchors nearby.
Traditionally, the ships pause on the Sunshine Coast during an Australian or Oceania leg of their global journeys.
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Bryan Jones, the general manager of The Surf Club Mooloolaba, said the cruise ships would be welcomed with open arms.
“They are very important for not only the club, but for Mooloolaba,” he said.
“If a ship arrives early in the morning the passengers tend to do activities and enjoy the views from the club balconies.
“Our club has become a place to capture a great photo of themselves, on our deck with a cocktail and the ship in the background.”
Mr Jones said passengers said it was easy to tell who cruise ship passengers were because they usually had lanyards and were laid-back.
“We are excited about them returning,” he said.
“The passengers are usually relaxed and ready for fun, happy to spend.
“You don’t go on holidays to save money or lose weight.”
Mr Jones said passengers were usually first-time visitors to the region and many of them vowed to return and spruiked the area to their friends.
“The exposure for the Sunshine Coast, gained by these ships coming to Mooloolaba, is extremely valuable,” he said.
“I know, as a boatie, just how magical the Sunshine Coast looks when viewed from the ocean, towards the mountains.
“This is exceptional advertising for potential shipboard tourists who may choose to come next time for an extended stay.”
