P&O Cruises has added its first arts festival to its main event line up with the announcement of a dedicated Dark Mofo cruise from Sydney in 2017.
The six-night cruise on Pacific Jewel will depart Sydney on June 13, 2017, and spend an unprecedented three days in Hobart, allowing guests to enjoy the art, food, music, light, film and oddities featured in Tasmania’s annual celebration of the dark.
The cruise includes entry to Tasmania’s iconic Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) as well as the return ferry trip and a priority pass to the event’s spectacular City of Hobart Dark Mofo Winter Feast.
Speaking from Hobart, P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the Dark Mofo cruise was great for local tourism with the three-day visit expected to inject more than $1 million into the economy.
“During Pacific Jewel’s extended stay her 2000 guests will have plenty of time to enjoy all of the zany and wonderful offerings of this unique Tasmanian festival while also exploring Hobart’s sights,” Mr Myrmell said.
“While we already take our guests to iconic Australian events like the Melbourne Cup and Australian Open, this is the first arts event we have added to our schedule. It’s going to be something different and we can’t wait to get onboard with Dark Mofo to offer our guests the opportunity to cruise to one of Australia’s most talked about events.”
Dark Mofo Creative Director Leigh Carmichael said cruising offered avenues for expansion with ships able to carry thousands more people to the event.
“We’re all about trying different things and this cruise will certainly be a unique way for travellers to take in Dark Mofo. We’re delighted to be partnering with an Australian company, which, like us, is trying to revolutionise the way Australians can have enriching and immersive experiences in regional destinations,” Mr Carmichael said.
“Sydney to Hobart is already a well-known seafaring route, and we hope this southern winter sojourn becomes iconic for new reasons.”
The Dark Mofo visit is one of six P&O cruise calls scheduled for Tasmania next year, up from one this year, with the cruise line set to carry an estimated 10,000 holidaymakers to the State in 2017.
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