The Sapphire Coast has celebrated a record-breaking week for cruise ship arrivals, with Port of Eden welcoming five ships over five days.

On 18 February 2025, Azamara Pursuit brought 748 passengers to the port; on 19 February Viking Venus arrived with 930 passengers; on 20 February Viking Orion docked carrying 930 passengers; while on 21 February Azamara Onward arrived with 781 passengers.

One of the world’s largest cruise ships, Ovation of the Seas, docked at Eden Cruise Wharf on 22 February 2025, carrying a record-breaking 4862 passengers.

The Ovation’s arrival at Eden Cruise Wharf follows the NSW Government’s approval of a planning modification which permits ships up to 370 metres long to berth in Eden.

Ovation of the Seas is one of 25 ships including 12 maiden calls to Eden this summer cruise season, with over 40,000 passengers and 20,000 crew estimated to inject millions of dollars into the local economy.

Port Authority Acting Chief Executive Officer John McKenna said: “This is an exciting era for regional cruise tourism as some of the world’s biggest cruise ships can now add Eden onto their itineraries, with NSW leading the charge as the cruise capital of Australia.

“The arrival of Ovation of the Seas is a direct result of our work with the local community, business and stakeholders and the planning modifications the NSW Government approved to allow larger vessels to berth at Snug Cove, enabling Port Authority to bring in thousands more passengers each year.

“Our expert marine pilots and operations staff are key to safely bringing in these larger ships into port, creating a seamless start to exploring this beautiful region.”

Port Authority General Manager of Cruise Martin Bidgood said:

“With thousands of visitors stepping ashore, the benefits of cruise tourism will ripple through the entire Sapphire Coast region.

“Ovation of the Seas brings a massive boost to Eden and will see a surge in business for cafes, retailers, tour operators and more.

“Eden is well and truly on the map as a must-visit destination, and Ovation’s visit is a fantastic opportunity to share the stunning coastline, history and warm South Coast hospitality with so many new visitors.”