Silver Whisper the luxury cruise ship arrives in Newcastle on Monday

by NSW Government Media on 16 Jan 2009 The boutique cruise liner, Silver Whisper, will sail into the Port of Newcastle on Monday morning (January 19) as part of a busy period for the city’s cruise industry, Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi announced today. Silver Whisper is acknowledged as one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world and will be bringing about 200 passengers to the Hunter Valley for a 12-hour visit.

Mr Tripodi said the 186-metre long ship will sail past Nobbys about 7am on Monday before berthing at Throsby No.1 Wharf.

“The ship is the second cruise liner to call into Newcastle in less than a fortnight and follows the very successful inaugural visit by the Millennium on January 6,” Mr Tripodi said.

“Passengers on the Silver Whisper will have a choice of a day trip to the vineyards, visiting Maitland and Morpeth, going to Port Stephens or seeing the attractions of Newcastle.”

Minister for Tourism and the Hunter, Jodi McKay, welcomed the visit as another success story for Cruise Hunter - the regional enterprise responsible for marketing Newcastle and the Hunter region as a cruise destination.

“This is not the first visit by passenger ships from the Silversea Cruise Line and the owners have been impressed with the welcome their passengers have received in the region,” Ms McKay said.

“Silver Whisper is returning after its inaugural visit last year and is a sister ship to Silver Cloud and Silver Shadow, both of which have visited Newcastle.

“Of the 200 passengers on the ship, a large percentage are expected to be overseas visitors which helps in exposing the Hunter Region to the international tourism market.”

Mr Tripodi said the Silver Whisper will be on an 18 day cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong and is expected to depart Newcastle about 6pm on Monday. Its visit will be followed by the Seven Seas Mariner on March 27.