Carnival Australia is refusing to concede defeat in its battle to share Garden Island despite a review concluding the cruise industry was incompatible with the needs of the navy.
Ann Sherry, chief executive of the cruise line, said it was still the best option for Australia’s cruise industry, with plans to press for more ad hoc use of Garden Island.
Carnival said talks will continue with the Federal and New South Wales Government to resolve Sydney’s port infrastructure issues.
Discussions will “include shared use of Garden Island,” Carnival said in a statement in an apparent refusal to accept the issue is dead.
Speaking after the release of figures showing a 34% increase in the number of Australian cruisers last year, Sherry said the “port infrastructure gaps” remained the "greatest threat to growth”.
“Sorting out cruise ship berth arrangements in Sydney has never been more urgent with an increasing number of cruise ships having to anchor mid harbour because of the lack of suitable berths,” Sherry said. “We share the view of passengers that arriving and departing from Sydney Harbour is an integral feature of the cruise experience.
“A three berth solution with White Bay, the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay and share use of Garden island on an ad hoc basis during peak cruise periods is still the best option for Sydney.”
The views differ from those of Royal Caribbean which has identified Botany Bay as its favoured site for a cruise terminal.
