Tasmania’s cruise season kicks off in Hobart today with the arrival of Celebrity Solstice, bringing thousands of passengers and crew to the state over the coming months and generating economic activity for local businesses and communities.
Posted
02 November 2026
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Tasmania’s cruise season kicks off in Hobart today with the arrival of Celebrity Solstice, bringing thousands of passengers and crew to the state over the coming months and generating economic activity for local businesses and communities.
TasPorts Senior Commercial Manager Kristy Little said a total of 85 cruise ship visits were expected across Tasmania between November and April, bringing 168,695 passengers and 62,624 crew to the state.
“We continue to see long-term commitment from established cruise operators, with strong forward bookings reflecting Tasmania’s appeal as a cruise destination,” Ms Little said.
“Cruise tourism delivers significant benefits to Tasmania, supporting local businesses, tourism operators and jobs.
“Passengers spend an average of $150 while in port, experiencing everything from local tours and galleries to boutique shopping and Tasmania’s food and wine.
“Cruise tourism contributes more than $170 million annually to Tasmania’s economy, supporting around 500 jobs across hospitality, transport, retail and tourism.
“Importantly, many cruise visitors return to Tasmania as independent tourists, creating opportunities for our tourism industry long after their cruise has finished.”
Ms Little said cruise visits also created opportunities for regional communities, with visitors spending money on local experiences and businesses beyond the ports they visit.
“With cruise ships also visiting ports including Port Arthur and Burnie, the season creates opportunities for businesses and tourism operators across the state to connect with visitors and showcase their local experiences,” she said.
“Working closely with cruise operators, councils and local businesses helps us coordinate visits and manage activity around our working ports, while supporting a positive experience for passengers and local communities.”
TasPorts manages cruise ship bookings, vessel movements and port operations across its managed ports, including the infrastructure and safety requirements associated with ship visits.
It also works with regional stakeholders to prepare for cruise ship arrivals and coordinate the services needed to support each visit.
The 2026-27 season will include a maiden Tasmanian visit by Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer, scheduled to arrive in Hobart in December.
The 2026-27 Cruise Shipping Schedule is available on the TasPorts website at https://www.tasports.com.au/shipping-schedule-all.