Port of Eden welcomes its largest ship, as Ovation of the Seas brings 4,862 guests

• The tiny port of Eden on the NSW South Coast has just welcomed its largest ship.
• Ovation of the Seas brought over 5,000 tourists including crew.
• The town turned out and the day quickly became a celebration.

In an age when we hear so much about ports and populations trying to limit cruise ships, it’s nice to hear a story that is the absolute opposite.

The Port of Eden on the New South Wales’ Saffire Coast has just welcomed its biggest ship ever – and the town turned it into a celebration.

There was a festival at the historic Seahorse Inn, showcasing the best of the South Coast, with live entertainment, market stalls, and beach activities – including a patrolled swimming area.

Local prawns and oysters, seafood paella, wood-fired pizza, gelato, waffle ice creams, coffee, smoothies, slushies, brewery selections, gin tastings, and vodka tastings were also on hand.

A shuttle bus took some of the 4,862 passengers and crew from Ovation of the Seas to the festivities. Snug Cove had never seen anything like it.

The moves follow the NSW Government’s approval of a planning modification which permits ships up to 370 metres long to berth in Eden, and work to refit the wharf. And it’s paying off.

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 added: “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.”

See more here.