Sydney's holiday ship industry is experiencing an unprecedented boom, the state government says.
A record 33 cruise ships are scheduled to visit Sydney Harbour in February - the highest number of cruise ships to visit the city in one month.
NSW Ports Minister Duncan Gay says cruising is booming like never before and the state intends to take advantage of it.
"We're calling it super February," Gay told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
"The international authority that judges cruise ports has judged Sydney the best cruise port in the world for the seventh year running.
"This year we have 214 vessels visits to Sydney up from 150 last year - that's a 43 per cent increase with more to come."
The state government will invest $87 million in the industry in the next two years and will spruce up the port.
About $57 million will put aside for the new White Bay Cruise Passenger Terminal while about $30 million will improve the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
Though many ships carry European and North American passengers, domestically the cruise industry has become the fastest growing segment of the tourism market.
Australian passenger numbers increased by 27 per cent in 2010.
Total turnaround in the last financial year was almost $400 million.
Gay said the highlight of this month would be the berthing of Queen Mary 2 on Valentines Day and the Queen Elizabeth two weeks after that.
