Strong cruise season expected across Southern WA

A new cruise season with the potential to bring more than 22,500 visitors to Albany and Esperance will kick off in just over a month (15 October), delivering economic benefits for the Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regions.

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said it is an exciting time to be visiting the southern coast, with thousands of new visitors expected to explore regional WA.

“Every cruise season is an opportunity to showcase our regions to visitors, remembering that each visit provides a raft of benefits to our regional economies,” Mr Wilks said.

The Port of Albany will host 13 cruise visits over the six-month cruise season, which starts from mid-October.

“While we’re seeing a rebalancing of cruise visits across the country following a record high last year, excitement remains especially for visits aligning with the Albany 2026 bicentennial celebrations.”

Eight vessels will arrive in Albany during the start of the bicentenary year, able to take advantage of celebrations across the town. 

The season includes two visits by the Crown Princess (passenger capacity 3,600) for the second consecutive year.

It will also include a visit by the Norwegian Spirit (2,600), which will be one of seven cruise ships making their maiden call to the Port of Albany during the coming season.

“Meanwhile bookings in Esperance remain consistent with previous years schedules, although we know that these can shift and change during the season,” Mr Wilks added.

Five cruise vessels, varying in capacity from 530 passengers to over 900, are scheduled to visit Esperance between November and April.

All five vessels will anchor in port waters, with their passengers tendered into shore to explore the region.

A new Aboriginal cultural welcome artwork set to be placed prominently at the Port of Albany will also be revealed during the season.

Funded through a Southern Ports and Tourism Western Australia partnership, the new artwork by Menang artist Shandell Cummings will welcome cruise passengers upon their arrival in Albany.

“There is a deep and lasting connection between the land and waters of our Port of Albany and the Menang people – Shandell’s piece will be a fitting recognition of that connection,” Mr Wilks said.

“It will offer a vibrant lasting welcome for cruise passengers for years to come and we’re excited to be in a position to unveil it during the upcoming cruise season.”