Fitting welcome to new season as Crown Princess arrives

visit by the Crown Princess on Wednesday 15 October has marked the start of the Southern Ports cruise season for the second year running.

More than 3,500 cruise passengers were welcomed to the Port of Albany with a Welcome to Country ceremony by Mooditch Nop Dance Group, led by traditional owner Lindsay Dean.

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said the cruise season was always an exciting period of the year.

“We’re thrilled to kick off the cruise season in Albany, welcoming the Crown Princess with a traditional welcome thanks to Lindsay and the Mooditch Nop Dance Group who do a fantastic job,” said Mr Wilks.

“Visitors come to Albany because of its history and its tremendous natural beauty, the cruise welcome provides a taste of that for our first visitors before they even step off the ship.

“It is that kind of extra experience that can make visits to Albany even more memorable.”

The Crown Princess made its third visit to Albany in the past 12 months, following its maiden call at the Port in November 2024.

It has quickly become a favourite destination to include on the itinerary for the Princess Cruises cruise line.

Princess Cruises Asia Pacific VP Matthew Rutherford said the company was looking at impressing its guests by showing off the stunning Albany region.

“One of our favourite places to visit is the picturesque Albany in the stunning Great Southern region, rich with natural and cultural heritage and appeal for our cruising guests to dive into while visiting,” he said.

“And when our cruise ships arrive in Albany, our guests spend up big in local shops and businesses, giving a huge boost to local jobs and the tourist economy.

“Best of all, the locals are welcoming of our guests to come to visit from all around the globe, including the United States, the United Kingdon, Europe and Asia.”

Twelve more cruises are scheduled to visit the Port of Albany over the course of the six-month season bringing as many as 22,500 visitors to the Great Southern.

“Every visitor that comes to Albany is a boost to the local economy because they spend money here and they get a taste for a region that often leaves them wanting to come back for more,” Mr Wilks said.

The economic output of the 2023-24 cruise season was $385 million in WA alone.

Esperance will commence its season next month when Silver Nova arrives in Port waters on Tuesday 18 November before an additional four cruise vessels follow it in 2026.