Cruise season begins in Geraldton as the Seabourn Sojourn and Silver Dawn bring visitors to our shores

Geraldton’s cruise season kicked off on Friday, as the Seabourn Sojourn docked in the harbour and saw visitors from all over the world explore the city.

The Seabourn Sojourn, a cruise ship with a capacity of 450 people, was full of visitors looking to experience Geraldton’s unique quirks, beautiful scenery, and cultural history.

An enthusiastic team of volunteers were at the welcome hub next to Geraldton Yacht Club to guide visitors as they disembarked their shuttle bus from the cruise. Their hot tips for Geraldton sight-seeing included a walk down the foreshore to the Geraldton museum, and doing a loop to see the HMAS Sydney II Memorial and St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral.

There was plenty to do at the welcome hub, with variety of stalls selling local arts and craft. Overseas visitors were particularly thrilled with the fresh lobster on display, provided by Skeetas, and were eager to sample some fresh local seafood.

The ship had left Perth and would next stop in Exmouth, after spending the day in Geraldton on Friday.

While the Seabourn Sojourn was the first cruise ship this season, Geraldton also welcomed the Silver Dawn on Monday and will see The Odyssey’s maiden visit on April 5.

Visitors included Anthonio Dimaano and Aldwin Cadelina, who had come from the Philippines and were surprised by how hefty the local lobster was.

Marilyn Stafford and Angie Maisenberger were visiting from the USA, they met on the cruise ship while they both take part on a mammoth 129 day round-the-world journey.

Nearly 9000 people visited Geraldton by cruise ship across the 2023 and 2024 seasons before a hiatus to cruise vessels docking in the Mid West city. Twelve cruise ships expected to dock in Geraldton were cancelled between 2025 and 2026 — called off due to itinerary changes, cruise line withdrawals from Australia, and Australian Border Force complications.