The magnificent 116,000 tonne cruise liner, Sapphire Princess visited Hobart on 26th December. Her 3000 passengers were probably a bit chilly as we experienced an uncharacteristically cool blast of air from the Southern Ocean stirred up by a low pressure front that crossed Tasmania's East Coast at about the time of their dawn arrival.

The sight of the ship towering above the Port Control Tower, and taking up the entire length of Macquarie Wharf was really something. She was visible from as far away as Lindisfarne. The ship is taller than the roadway on Sydney Harbour Bridge, and only one building in Hobart is taller.

The visitors spread themselves about the city and local tourist spots. The comfort with which they travelled from Sydney and Melbourne over the last couple of days would have been in huge contrast to the cruising conditions of Racing Yachts on their way from those Ports.

The consolation for the racers, of course is that they can stay and enjoy Hobart for several days instead of being whisked off again within the day.

Sapphire Princess will visit Hobart again five more times this summer.

More info: