Cruise leaders voice their opinions on Sydney

Young woman holding an imaginary megaphone and shouting into it

To say the subject of Sydney cruise terminals is overdone is a gross understatement; it feels like we’ve been banging on about this for years.

And now the slightest hint of a development, in the form of last week’s proposal for a terminal at Garden Island by 2022, has set the industry’s tongues wagging.

According to The Australian, one cruise line has opposed the possibility of a Botany Bay terminal, while another major American cruise line has ruled out Garden Island.

Speaking to The Australian, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, said she would consider other ports such as Melbourne, Brisbane and even New Zealand, given the dire capacity crisis Sydney is currently facing.

“The expansion of cruise lines is constrained by our ability to turn our ships in Sydney,” she told The Australian.

“If we wanted to put an additional ship here we would look at New Zealand, Brisbane, Melbourne … every single place would be evaluated.”

The Cruise Reference Group, led by ex politician and Navy veteran, Peter Collins, is pushing a number of possible solutions to host the millions of cruisers sailing into Sydney every year.

In addition to Garden Island, which Collins said was “doable” in the next three to five years, and Botany Bay, the option of double stacking in Sydney Harbour was floated.

Double stacking involves the daily turnaround of two cruise ships at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay, but has been totally ruled out by the likes of Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines, per The Oz.

“The ability for Sydney to expand its cruise industry is dependent on additional berths,” Lutoff-Perlo added, claiming this capacity problem at one of Celebrity’s key markets was something she’d not experienced at any other port.

“None of us are interested in double stacking; it’s a terrible experience for crew and guests.”

Meanwhile, CLIA MD Joel Katz was also reported saying that 60 per cent of the 81 cruise ships on order globally would be unable to fit under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, leaving the White Bay terminal in Balmain far from useful.

Katz told Travel Weekly, “Based off current projections, there will be 35 million cruise passengers by 2026 and 40 million by 2030.

“As the majority of new ships under construction will not fit under the Harbour Bridge, the cruise industry is very encouraged by the government’s focus on delivering a solution to accommodate more cruise ships east of the Harbour Bridge.

“CLIA’s recent Economic Impact Report showed that the industry contributes in excess of $5 billion to the Australian economy, and by addressing the capacity constraints in Sydney, we have the opportunity to ensure the industry continues to grow.

“Each cruise ship visit delivers a big economic boost from port charges, to fuel and, most importantly, local supplies like Australian meat, dairy, wine and fresh fruit and vegetables.

“In addition, the visitor economy, including travel agents, hotels, car-hire, and airlines, benefits from the activity of the cruise industry.

“Sydney is Australia’s cruise gateway and ensuring we have the capacity to accommodate more ships, means we will see more international ships bringing international visitors to our shores, as well as the prospect of more homeported ships – which would have a massive flow on effect to businesses and communities far beyond the ships and ports.”

But the Managing Director of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Adam Armstrong, is keen on any option that gets more ships into Sydney.

Earlier this year, it was announced Voyager of the Seas would homeport in Singapore for its next season, due to no berths being available in Sydney.

“Botany is now on the list of options being seriously considered, concurrently with Garden Island,” Armstrong told The Australia.

“Our view is Botany could be a goer.”

Interestingly, Carnival claims to prefer Garden Island, per The Oz. A Carnival Australia spokesperson told Travel Weekly, “We support the NSW Government’s efforts to identify the opportunities, limitations and costs of all infrastructure options to support the ongoing growth of the cruise industry both in the short and long term.

“In our view, it is important to examine all options so there is a clear path for the cruise industry to drive economic benefit for NSW and Australia.”

Additionally, CLIA chairman, Steve Odell, told Travel Weekly that unless Sydney is in the itinerary somewhere, the cruise becomes extremely hard to sell.

Armstrong told The Australian that all options should be considered, however, so as not to waste any more time solving the cruise crisis.

“We are already constrained by Sydney’s lack of berths. For the past decade we have been saying that this day would come. Well, here we are — we have pulled one ship that won’t be coming to Sydney and is going to Asia instead, where there is terminal availability and the cost structure is more favourable,” Armstrong told The Oz.

“Sydney is the most expensive of all our turnaround ports in the world. An IPART report recommended the NSW government reduce the costs of Sydney but the government rejected that earlier this year.”

Per The Australian, Armstrong also rebuffed alternative ports of Port Kembla, Eden and Newcastle.

 

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

    Latest comments
    1. To say White Bay’s importance will diminish in the future is to ignore the sharp rise in small medium and luxury ships visiting Sydney. Only 3 large ships built since 2009 have ever visited Sydney, whereas almost all the smaller ones have. And for someone to say they oppose my double stacking concept because it would affect the guest experience, yet they would rather go to Port Botany?? There is no room there, and the Civil Aviation Authority will not allow it. The Navy is not going anywhere. Back to the drawing boards folks !

adam armstrong botany bay carnival celebrity cruises clia garden island Joel Katz lisa lutoff-perlo norwegian cruise line overseas passenger terminal royal caribbean cruise line sydney

Latest News

  • Conferences
  • Travel Agents

Travellers Choice award winners 2024 announced

This year’s Travellers Choice award winners were announced at the gala dinner at Sydney Town Hall last night. The winners are: 2024 Leading Agency Award winner: Travel and Cruise Professionals (South Australia) The Travellers Choice Leading Agency Award distinguishes a member who has enjoyed outstanding success in their individual agency business, has contributed significantly to […]

  • Conferences
  • Travel Agents

Emotional Travellers Choice Conference that wasn’t hard to bear

If Day 1 of the 2024 Travellers Choice Conference in Sydney, the first in the Harbour City for 25 years, was filled with laughter and cocktails then Day 2 of “Travelution” was an emotional roller coaster. Travellers Choice MD and new ATIA chair Christian Hunter opened the three-day conference by announcing two new initiatives. In […]

  • Tourism

ATEC celebrates industry excellence with annual awards 

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has announced the winners of its prestigious annual awards, recognising exceptional contributions from across our tourism export industry. These awards, announced during ATEC’s annual Meeting Place event last Wednesday, highlight individuals, businesses, and partnerships which have shown outstanding leadership, dedication, and innovation in promoting Australian tourism. Captain Trevor Haworth […]

  • Hotels
  • Luxury

Accor announces the signing of Sofitel Sapa Hotel and residences

Accor has announced the signing of Sofitel Sapa Hotel & Residences, a landmark luxury development set to bring Sofitel’s French elegance to the highlands of Northern Vietnam. The project is a combination of 176 rooms and 436 branded residences. It is expected to open its doors in 2030, making another milestone in the expansion of […]

  • Events

ICC Sydney celebrates 100 events in record-breaking year

International Convention Centre Sydney, managed by ASM Global, is set to break the record for number of live events in a single year with 100 shows. The James Blunt concert taking place on 23 November marks the venue’s 100th live entertainment event in a single year. To celebrate this historic achievement, ICC Sydney is giving […]

  • Travel Agents

Last chance to win Globus family of brands’ $1K a Day Giveaway

Agents are reminded they can still enter an unmissable giveaway by making a deposited booking with Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways for departures in 2025. The trade incentive will remain open to agents until 30 November. To take advantage of the offer, agents simply need to make a deposited booking with either Avalon Waterways, Globus […]

  • Events

Intrepid Travel champions responsible business at UN Global Compact Sustainability Event

Intrepid Travel championed the agenda for responsible business at the United Nations Global Compact’s UNiting Business Live Australia conference this week. During her visit to Australia, UN Global Compact assistant secretary-general, Sanda Ojiambo, met with Intrepid CEO James Thornton, where they discussed the future of sustainable practices in the travel industry. Thornton and Ojiambo discussed […]

  • Hotels

Fusion launches GLOW Bangkok Riverside

Fusion Hotel Group has opened GLOW Bangkok Riverside, a new hotel overlooking the Thai capital’s Chaophraya River from the city’s Dusit district. The modern 5-storey property features 126 rooms and suites, ranging from the Superior Room at 19-22sqm to the 40sqm River Suite. All rooms have either king-sized or twin beds, and are tastefully decorated […]

  • Hotels

Nesuto Apartment Hotels launches summer secret offers

Nesuto Hotels and Apartments has launched its summer campaign with a 25 per cent off discount across its 13 neighbourhood properties across Australia and New Zealand. Nesuto’s “unveil summer’s best kept secrets” campaign offer is valid for bookings made from 1 November 2024 until 30 March 2025, for stays until 30 June 2025. In addition […]

  • Aviation
  • Travel Agents

ATAC’s signs exclusive deal with Helloworld’s Air Tickets for enhanced air consolidation services 

Australian Travel Agents Co-operative (ATAC) has appointed Helloworld Travel’s Air Tickets as its sole and exclusive air consolidator following comprehensive market assessment on best value for its members. ATAC chairman Jack Taylor said that the appointment, effective 1 January 2025, reflects the co-operative’s commitment to securing the best value for all members. “ATAC has ambitious […]