kabarsula Celebrity Solstice kicks off the start of Eden’s cruise season bandar SLOT INDONESIA

Eden welcomed its first cruise ship of the season, with close to 3,000 passengers arriving aboard Celebrity Solstice on the vessel’s maiden visit to the Sapphire Coast port.

The 315-metre vessel is the first of 25 cruise ships scheduled to dock in Eden for the 2026/27 season, which runs until April next year.

In 2024/25, cruise visits generated an estimated $14.3 million for the local economy, with more than 85 per cent of the 52,660 cruise passengers last year stepping ashore to explore Eden and the Sapphire Coast.

Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna said Eden’s success demonstrated the long-term value that cruise tourism can deliver to regional port communities.

Since the first cruise ship docked in the Far South Coast port in 2005, cruise has become an important part of the region’s visitor economy.

“Cruising in Eden started 21 years ago with one ship; now it brings tens of thousands of visitors to Eden to experience the local attractions, tours, cafés, businesses and natural beauty of the Sapphire Coast,” McKenna said.

“Port Authority’s role in Eden goes well beyond safely piloting ships into port. Supporting the growth of trade and tourism across NSW, including in our regional port communities, is a key focus for us.

“We are really proud to continue working hand-in-hand with Cruise Eden, Bega Valley Shire Council and the local community to continue to grow the Far South Coast as a cruise destination, and Celebrity Solstice’s maiden visit is a fitting way to kick off another exciting season.”

Community impact

Cruise Eden manager Debbie Meers said cruise days had become an important part of life in Eden, with the benefits flowing well beyond the wharf.

“Cruise benefits so many parts of our community, from our 18 market stall holders at the Eden Welcome Centre and the 10 stalls in the main street run by the Men’s Shed, to our local cafes, shops, and tour operators,” she said.

“We also have our wonderful local volunteers and guides who do an incredible job at welcoming passengers and have been central to the success of cruise for more than two decades. This season we have 43 volunteer Welcome Ambassadors and shuttle guides, with 16 of those local students, as well as 21 dedicated guides and shuttle coordinators.”

Bega Valley Shire Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said cruise has become an important part of Eden’s identity and our region’s visitor economy.

“Eden is the busiest regional port in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia – with this success a direct result of years of work by our volunteers, businesses, tourism operators, council, Port Authority, the NSW Government and industry partners to build Eden into the destination it is today,” he said.

“Cruise presents the opportunity to showcase our region to thousands of visitors and encourage them, and their friends and family, to come back to explore more of the Sapphire Coast.”

Port Authority of NSW, Bega Valley Shire Council and Eden Tourism have an ongoing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), focused on helping to grow cruise visitation and improve the visitor experience on the Sapphire Coast.