The Celebrity Edge made its maiden call in Newcastle on Saturday, bringing over 4,000 passengers and crew to the Australian port.

Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna said that the 306-meter-long Celebrity Edge is the largest cruise vessel by length to visit this season.

“From wine tasting in the Hunter Valley, to getting up close with Australian wildlife on the Central Coast and Port Stephens, and exploring Newcastle’s historic sites, this visit showcases why the region is a must-visit on Australia’s cruise map,” McKenna said.

“Cruise visitation is a key driver of regional recovery and growth, and the passengers and crew aboard the Celebrity Edge will make a significant contribution.”

Alongside the Celebrity Edge, approximately 14,000 passengers and crew will round out the summer cruise season for Newcastle. MS The World, the world’s largest private residential yacht, is the next ship to arrive on December 19.

The port authority said in a press release that strong regional support for cruise was reflected in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to grow cruise tourism, which was led by the authority and agreed to by seven local councils, Destination Sydney Surrounds North (DSSN) and the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group (NTIG).

DSSN General Manager Glenn Caldwell said in the six months since the announcement, the MoU has delivered significant wins for regional tourism.

“Our on-ground Cruise Coordinator has secured local guides to accompany cruise ship passengers on shore excursion tours and worked with NTIG to onboard more than 50 Welcome Volunteers,” he added.

“We’ve also delivered cruise support to businesses via workshops in our region, in collaboration with Destination NSW, to help businesses create and deliver great experiences for the Newcastle cruise market. We have also developed new website content to support the growth of cruise.”

According to the port authority, the MoU was developed to support local businesses in creating tourism offerings tailored to the cruise market, enhancing the visitor experience and establishing a part-time cruise coordinator role.