Vasco da Gama heading to Fremantle

Cruise ship Vasco da Gama will homeport in Fremantle in January and February offering cruises to WA destinations such as Broome, Geraldton and Kuri Bay with shore trips to Margaret River, Busselton and Rottnest Island.

Homeporting means there is a complete passenger exchange when the ship calls here (1220 passengers arriving and another 1220 departing).

The State Government, through Tourism Western Australia, is pleased to welcome Vasco da Gama, the newest addition to the Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV Australia) fleet.

Vasco da Gama's 1220 guest capacity more than doubles that of CMV's Astor, which had been based in Fremantle since 2013.

Tourism WA has also negotiated a landmark marketing partnership to boost the State's cruise tourism industry.

A co-operative marketing agreement between Tourism WA and the leading UK-based cruise company CMV Australia has supported a new range of WA-focused fly, cruise, rail and stay packages currently on sale.

The packages are being promoted nationally through print and digital media and feature a complete Western Australian holiday experience. The itineraries include extended stopovers at WA ports, allowing for longer shore excursions in Perth metropolitan and regional areas.

It is the first time the State Government has negotiated a co-operative marketing agreement with a cruise industry operator, with the deal reflecting the growing importance of the cruise sector to the tourism industry.

In addition to operating the Western Australian itinerary, CMV will also use Vasco da Gama for a new 'Grand Voyage' from Fremantle to London, Amsterdam and Bremerhaven, providing another avenue to promote WA itineraries internationally to new and existing cruise customers.

Cruise shipping is an important part of the State's tourism industry, contributing $275.9 million to the WA economy in 2017-18 and supporting about 1,130 jobs.

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said:

"This partnership acknowledges CMV Australia's contribution to growing cruise shipping in WA and shows the State Government, through Tourism WA, is serious about pursuing opportunities to market the State as an exciting cruise destination.

"CMV's new itineraries in WA have achieved an important goal of extending visitor nights in the State.

"This impacts positively on money flowing to tourism businesses and jobs, as well as giving visitors more time to discover the unique landscapes, culture, history and cuisine of our city and regions.

"We're also delighted that the Vasco da Gama will homeport in Fremantle for the season. Its increased capacity means an even greater economic benefit to the State.

"The exciting addition of the Vasco da Gama comes after Princess Cruises announced the biggest investment a cruise brand has ever made in this State, revealing it would homeport the Sun Princess superliner in Fremantle for a record 141 days in 2019-20.

"The cruise industry employs around 1,130 full-time jobs and injects $276 million into the Western Australian economy annually."