THE SOUTH Australian government has welcomed luxury line Silversea’s ship Silver Nova’s first visit to the state, expected to produce economic benefits across the state’s tourism regions.
The state government welcomed the ship with its 728 passengers and 556 crew, with passengers to take part in onshore experiences across the Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Adelaide, and Kangaroo Island.
As a result of discussions between the South Australian Tourism Commission and Silversea in 2023, the cruise line has scheduled 30 calls to South Australian ports across 2024-2027, including the expedition anchorage of Robe.
Silver Nova is scheduled to make its second voyage to South Australia in February next year, returning to Adelaide ahead of its inaugural visit to Port Lincoln.
The government revealed this is one of 20 scheduled maiden visits to South Australian ports in the 2024-25 cruise season, which included other international cruise lines such as MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Ponant.
A total of 120 cruise and expedition ship visits are scheduled for SA’s 2024-25 cruise season, expected to bring an estimated 241,000 passengers and crew to the state’s shores.
It follows a record-breaking 2023-24 cruise season, which the government said injected $227 million into the state’s economy and supported 738 jobs, surpassing the 2022-23 cruise season, which generated $215 million for the state’s economy and supported 704 jobs.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said, “Silversea’s commitment to including South Australia on its international itineraries is a direct result of the ongoing work we are doing to attract luxury cruise lines and their high-yield visitors to our state”.
“We continue to see how cruise delivers important economic benefits to local communities across our tourism regions, both during our cruise season, and into the future as passengers are inspired to return and discover more of South Australia.”
Adam Radwanski, Asia Pacific managing director at Silversea Cruises said with its unspoiled natural beauty, world-class vineyards, and rich cultural heritage, South Australia aligns seamlessly with Silversea’s commitment to offering unparalleled luxury travel experiences.
“It’s a destination where elegance meets adventure,” he said, “In 2025/26, Silversea’s three ultra-luxurious ships will call at South Australian ports 16 times. South Australia is part of some of our most prestigious offerings”.
To continue the growth of the state’s multi-million-dollar cruise sector, the South Australian Cruise Attraction Working Group has been established, the government said.
Announced at the Australian Cruise Association Annual Conference 2024 hosted in Adelaide earlier this year, the group includes representatives from the South Australian Tourism Commission, Flinders Ports, Department of Infrastructure and Transport, and key industry stakeholders.
The group aims to expand the range of cruise lines and ships visiting.
