“Our passenger terminals are a disgrace compared to other cruise destinations”

Cruise Passenger readers always have plenty to say about what’s going on in Australian cruise, and in the broader cruise community. In Your Say, Cruise Passenger looks at the issues our readers are writing to us about on our blogs, posts and newsletters. This week it’s passenger terminals.

Following the Cruise360 conference in Brisbane, which involved the Cruise Lines International Association highlighting the problems that cruise is facing in Australia, namely that demand is increasing but the number of cruise ships here is dwindling, cruisers had plenty to say.

On of the most common sentiments from cruisers is that they believe Australia simply isn’t doing enough in terms of port infrastructure to keep up with overseas destinations, therefore while other countries are enjoying the benefits of a global cruise boom, Australia is falling behind.

As Cruise Passenger reader Lisa Green Lopez put it: “”Australia is doing very little, therefore Virgin is gone, Disney is leaving and we get the oldest ships in the fleet”

Other readers also chimed in, Pam Dawson said: “Said this was going to happen for years now because we do not provide the service or quality of ports for ships to pull into like overseas .. and progress is always hit on the head here when we mention building more terminals.”

Nick Webster compared the stagnant of infrastructure of ports to aiports, which see more upgrade: “Our passenger terminals are a disgrace compared to other cruise destinations! Boarding is slow and the facilities sub standard. 

“There are tin sheds with laptop computers set up on trestle tables, which are often dropping out causing bigger boarding delays! Whilst new airports are being built and older ones upgraded no such input is or has been done to most ports.”

Other cruisers particularly took aim at Brisbane’s terminal and its facilities.

Chery Clegg said: “Look at Brisbane International Cruise Terminal. Drive through a turd farm and industrial estate on a one lane pot holed road to get in and out. Very uninviting indeed.”

Elsewhere, Carnival’s announcement of testing adults only cruises in the USA was met with a mixed reaction by Aussies.

Sheila Jordan said: “I could take it or leave it. Drunk adults are just as annoying and uncontrolled children.”

Gail Greaves said: “Cater for the child haters. Rather spend time with my kids and grandkids than the whingers.”

Elsewhere, Western Australians were thrilled to hear that Sapphire Princess will be returning to Western Australia for a series of homeported cruises.

Matthew Stacey wrote: “This is great news. Won’t have to travel to get cruises. Just hope they’re not expensive.”

Merlene Wilding wrote: “Thank goodness. Definitely need a Princess ship leaving and returning to Fremantle. Round trip to Singapore would be fantastic.”

Cruise Passenger readers are also left divided on whether Port Kembla should become Sydney’s third cruise port.

Helen Wilson wrote: “I’m from country NSW and avoid Sydney if possible. Hopefully there will be plenty of car parking and a Port Kembla terminal would encourage me to cruise.”

George Zamroz said: “I think it’s a great idea. So many people think the actual port is the destination, not the surrounds, and Wollongong has plenty to offer within itself and its surround.”

However, Wayne Adamson sees it differently: “That’s ridiculous, people come to see the harbour city, not a coal port that’s 2 hours drive away… on a good day!

“Move the Navy to Port Kembla and connect Garden Island to the city with an extended tram link.”

Please keep those comments coming!

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