Wollongong 3rd Cruise Port?

[arxcards]

Just now, OzKiwiJJ said:

Low cost ships? Many of the ships that now dock at White Bay are the luxury lines. That's a bit ironic - they get White Elephant Bay while the mass market lines get the prime spot at the OPT! 🤣

I was referring to P&O, who will even chop down Princess ships to go there.

[OzKiwiJJ]

12 minutes ago, arxcards said:

I was referring to P&O, who will even chop down Princess ships to go there.

I know. 🤣

[lyndarra]

On 9/3/2023 at 2:41 PM, OzKiwiJJ said:

But Edinburgh doesn't have a port suitable for large cruise ships so for those it's a tender port, tendering to South Queensferry.

SQF, is about a half hour from the city. I imagined there would be a spot near Leith where RY Brittania is but that area seems to have gone all residential and commercial.

[fruitmachine]

1 hour ago, lyndarra said:

SQF, is about a half hour from the city. I imagined there would be a spot near Leith where RY Brittania is but that area seems to have gone all residential and commercial.

The biggest issue is the depth of the water.  Smaller ships can get into Leith.  Larger ships have to tender in to Newhaven from quite a way out (typically 15 minutes) and it's less sheltered than at South Queensferry.

 

There have been plans mooted for a big-ship berth in Leith but, in part because of the amount of dredging involved, would come with a very big price tag.

[gbenjo]

Reading the report/article  about Pt Kembla it seems the thinking is that cruise lines with ships “ home ported” in Australia, ie P&O , Carnival would have a large majority of “ local” guests from Sydney/ NSW/Australia  and could be turned in Pt Kembla which would free up the OPT for ships with more international guests wanting the unique Harbour experience. Should be “interesting”  to see the reaction from the public on this idea.

[gbenjo]

On 9/3/2023 at 2:47 PM, OzKiwiJJ said:

Low cost ships? Many of the ships that now dock at White Bay are the luxury lines. That's a bit ironic - they get White Elephant Bay while the mass market lines get the prime spot at the OPT! 🤣

Not so much ironic, but size matters. If two ships are in port on the same day and one fits under the bridge and one doesn’t  it’s obvious where they will be berthed, regardless of luxury status . 

[Chiliburn]

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/australian-cruisers-could-sail-out-of-wollongong-while-foreigners-enjoy-our-harbour-views/

[OzKiwiJJ]

8 hours ago, gbenjo said:

Not so much ironic, but size matters. If two ships are in port on the same day and one fits under the bridge and one doesn’t  it’s obvious where they will be berthed, regardless of luxury status . 

Yes, but it is ironic in that one of the key selling points of the luxury lines - the small size of the ships - means they end up at the worst cruise terminal in Sydney.

[OzKiwiJJ]

9 hours ago, gbenjo said:

Reading the report/article  about Pt Kembla it seems the thinking is that cruise lines with ships “ home ported” in Australia, ie P&O , Carnival would have a large majority of “ local” guests from Sydney/ NSW/Australia  and could be turned in Pt Kembla which would free up the OPT for ships with more international guests wanting the unique Harbour experience. Should be “interesting”  to see the reaction from the public on this idea.

Would the cruise lines run shuttle buses to Sydney and/or have luggage dropoff somewhere in the city?  I certainly wouldn't want to have to go all the way to or from Port Kembla to embark or disembark a cruise. I've been spoilt living only 10-15 mins from both Sydney cruise terminals! 

[datone]

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Yes, but it is ironic in that one of the key selling points of the luxury lines - the small size of the ships - means they end up at the worst cruise terminal in Sydney.

We arrive in Sydney on 20 December on Silver Muse and have an overnight as we don't disembark until the next day.   Unfortunately we will be at White Bay.   

Edited September 9, 2023 by datone

[cruiser3775]

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Yes, but it is ironic in that one of the key selling points of the luxury lines - the small size of the ships - means they end up at the worst cruise terminal in Sydney.

I didn't think White Bay was that bad. It certainly isn't convenient for transport like the OPT, and you don't get that jaw dropping view of the Opera House and the Bridge. But you do get a nice start coming around into Darling Harbour, then around the corner and actually going under the bridge, and first glimpse of the Opera House.  What it really needs is some proper public transport options right to the site.

[gbenjo]

43 minutes ago, datone said:

We arrive in Sydney on 20 December on Silver Muse and have an overnight as we don't disembark until the next day.   Unfortunately we will be at White Bay.   

The Noordam is at the OPT on the 20th and the Edge on the 21st. 

[gbenjo]

43 minutes ago, cruiser3775 said:

I didn't think White Bay was that bad. It certainly isn't convenient for transport like the OPT, and you don't get that jaw dropping view of the Opera House and the Bridge. But you do get a nice start coming around into Darling Harbour, then around the corner and actually going under the bridge, and first glimpse of the Opera House.  What it really needs is some proper public transport options right to the site.

White Bay is actually a really good terminal ( operationally speaking) location aside, but still a lot closer to the city than many others around the world .

[datone]

39 minutes ago, gbenjo said:

The Noordam is at the OPT on the 20th and the Edge on the 21st.

Understand why we have to be at White Bay because the bigger ships will be at the OPT.  With having the overnighter taxis/uber should get plenty of work.

[OzKiwiJJ]

1 hour ago, cruiser3775 said:

I didn't think White Bay was that bad. It certainly isn't convenient for transport like the OPT, and you don't get that jaw dropping view of the Opera House and the Bridge. But you do get a nice start coming around into Darling Harbour, then around the corner and actually going under the bridge, and first glimpse of the Opera House.  What it really needs is some proper public transport options right to the site.

I agree, it's actually a nice cruise terminal and the sail under the bridge is great but ... 

 

It's so isolated from the hub of the city and, as you say, there really isn't any decent public transport. For overnight stops it's missing that easy walk-off to local restaurants, or to easily sightsee on your own. Even road access is messy!

[SinbadThePorter]

3 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

there really isn't any decent public transport.

 

There are buses and ferries nearby in East Balmain if they could just allow an exit from the cruise terminal.

[Chiliburn]

N.S.W ports say on their website,Kembla has a birth of 360 meters.  That’s Oasis class ! 

 

Edited September 9, 2023 by Chiliburn

[gbenjo]

1 hour ago, Chiliburn said:

N.S.W ports say on their website,Kembla has a birth of 360 meters.  That’s Oasis class ! 

 

“IF” an Oasis class ship came to Sydney it would berth at the OPT. Just because Pt Kembla is big enough does not necessarily make it capable  enough. 

[Chiliburn]

56 minutes ago, gbenjo said:

“IF” an Oasis class ship came to Sydney it would berth at the OPT. Just because Pt Kembla is big enough does not necessarily make it capable  enough. 

Well this is right Graham,the channel and turning bay mightn’t be suitable for Oasis .

 

Port Canaveral is now hosting the most Oasis class ,it’s a hour from Orlando airport.

As inconvenient as it is ,people are loving it with a purpose built terminal .

 We have BIG GAV on the job Graham .

He said just the other day at some conference  ,Lelepa should be open in 2026 .

He also wants a year round ship and 3 to 4 ships per season .

He sounds optimistic doesn’t he .

[sewgood]

17 hours ago, cruiser3775 said:

What it really needs is some proper public transport options right to the site.

Not exactly right to the site but within easy walking distance.

 

From Sydney Metro information:-

"The Bays Station will be located between Glebe Island and White Bay Power Station. It will provide direct access to the future Bays Waterfront Promenade, which would run north to south along White Bay."

Maybe there will be places to eat at the Promenade when it is finished. Still it won't be anything like eating at Circular Quay but better than nothing.

[cruiser3775]

3 minutes ago, sewgood said:

From Sydney Metro information:-

"The Bays Station will be located between Glebe Island and White Bay Power Station. It will provide direct access to the future Bays Waterfront Promenade, which would run north to south along White Bay."

Maybe there will be places to eat at the Promenade when it is finished. Still it won't be anything like eating at Circular Quay but better than nothing.

Sounds good. When is this scheduled to happen?

[sewgood]

Just now, cruiser3775 said:

Sounds good. When is this scheduled to happen?

They are actually working on it now. I noticed work going on in June when we were leaving White Bay.

The only  finish date I can find so far is unfortunately 2030 in an article published by Cox Architecture  on May 25th 2022.

[Chiliburn]

https://travelbulletin.com.au/feature/is-port-kembla-the-new-sydney/

[Chiliburn]

I didn’t know but explorer has been to port Kembla.

 

https://www.portauthoritynsw.com.au/news-and-publications/2019-news/explorer-of-the-seas-cruises-into-port-kembla/

[arxcards]

1 hour ago, Chiliburn said:

I didn’t know but explorer has been to port Kembla.

 

https://www.portauthoritynsw.com.au/news-and-publications/2019-news/explorer-of-the-seas-cruises-into-port-kembla/

And Radiance.

https://www.portauthoritynsw.com.au/news-and-publications/2018-news/radiance-of-the-seas-returns-to-port-kembla/

 

However, there is a common thread to both ships - they were only day visitors.

 

Newcastle usually gets between a dozen and twenty day visits each season, but that doesn't make them the "New Sydney" for cruising either.