The two largest ships based in the southern hemisphere met for the first time in Sydney Harbour on Saturday as Royal Caribbean’s newest vessel Explorer of the Seas joined already resident “twin” Voyager of the Seas.
Explorer’s arrival into Sydney marked the end of a 16-night Australia and New Zealand voyage from Fremantle with guests from more than 30 countries on board. Voyager departed Sydney on for a seven-night Tasmania sailing.
Combined, the two ships carry almost 10,400 passengers and crew, injecting almost $1.6 million in passenger spend into Sydney’s economy on Saturday alone.
“With over 10,000 people on board the two ships, it’s the equivalent of having the entire population of Byron Bay out on the harbour at one time,” commercial director Adam Armstrong said.
“We’ve invested US$160 million in makeovers on both ships in recent years and the result is two spectacular cruise ships offering the biggest choice of incredible Australian-first features.”
Explorer takes the title of Australia’s largest cruise ship from Voyager, with a substantial 138,194 gross tons, at 311 metres long and 38 metres wide,
During its five month season Explorer is expected to inject almost $44 million into the Australian economy including almost $41 million in Sydney in passenger spend alone.
