Leaders Chart Regional Cruise Growth Course in Newcastle, Australia

Leaders Chart Regional Cruise Growth Course in Newcastle, Australia

Seven councils and two peak tourism organisations from the Hunter and Central Coast met on June 12 as part of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding.

The aim is to unlock new opportunities for local businesses that can then benefit from the regional cruise industry in NSW.

The Port Authority of New South Wales said in a press release that the meeting marked the official launch of the three-year partnership led by the port.

The meeting was attended by:

• Newcastle Council
• Lake Macquarie Council
• Cessnock Council
• Singleton Council
• Port Stephens Council
• Maitland Council
• Central Coast Council
• Destination Sydney Surrounds North, and
• Newcastle Tourism Industry Group.

 

The group aims to enhance cruise visitor experiences that support cruise growth and support local businesses to capitalise on increasing opportunities.

A key outcome of the agreement is joint funding for a part-time Cruise Coordinator. The individual will work with cruise lines to expand their itineraries, allowing passengers to experience the best of the Hunter and Central Coast regions.

Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna said the MoU agreement would support local businesses in developing tourism offerings tailored to capture the cruise market over the next decade.

“This partnership is about more than just welcoming cruise ships. It’s about showcasing the incredible experiences the regions have to offer, from the natural beauty of the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley’s world-class wine country to the vibrant energy of Newcastle itself,” said McKenna.

“It’s a win-win: Passengers get unforgettable experiences, and local businesses and communities benefit from the economic opportunities that come with a thriving cruise industry,” McKenna added.

Port Authority of NSW General Manager Cruise Martin Bidgood said: “This landmark agreement is a one-of-a-kind model for the Hunter and Central Coast region, drawing on the combined strengths of the local councils and peak regional tourism bodies.”

“It’s the natural next step following Port Authority’s planned expansion of cruise into Newcastle Harbour through a new 10-year license agreement with Port of Newcastle, announced in 2023,” Bidgood added.

Port Authority added that it draws on expertise from similar successful arrangements, such as at the Port of Eden.

Pacific Encounter Enters Sydney Harbour with Hero Tugs Salute

P&O Australia Cruises’ Pacific Encounter has called into Sydney Harbour for the first time and made her entrance amid big jets from water cannon tugs, according to a press release.

When the Pacific Encounter arrived in Sydney for its brief stay, the words "hero tugs" flashed up on the top deck big screen as a tribute to maritime heroes, according to P&O Cruises.

“We are very proud to welcome Pacific Encounter to begin her P&O Cruises cruising career to offer our guests fantastic and memorable cruise experiences. It is wonderful that we can also use today’s arrival as an opportunity to salute the hero tugs of Sydney and everyone who does so much to support cruise shipping and the maritime sector in general. It is very exciting to see the rebuilding of cruise tourism in Australia and its economic benefits as we look forward to its revival in the wider Pacific region along with a near-normal summer cruise season here,” said Marguerite Fitzgerald, president of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia.

The Pacific Encounter was escorted by three tugs operated by Engage Towage. The operation to save the bulk carrier Portland Bay after it lost power in bad weather last month involved all three and their tenacious crews.

With local marine engineering and technical services joining the Pacific Encounter and more than half a million kilograms of locally sourced products being loaded to start the ship's cruising schedule, the ship's arrival in Sydney will also provide a significant economic boost to the city.

“Port Authority of NSW has a strong capability and history of responding to marine incidents such as this and working with a number of key agencies who stand ready day and night to spring into action when needed,” commented Philip Holliday, chief executive officer, Port Authority of NSW.

Australia launches criminal investigation into Ruby Princess

The Ruby Princess remains off the coast of Sydney with 200 crew members showing symptoms of the virus

A criminal investigation has been launched in Australia into how cruise ship passengers were allowed to disembark in Sydney despite some exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

More than 600 people on board the Ruby Princess later tested positive for coronavirus and 10 have since died.

The ship remains off the coast with nearly 200 sick crew members on board.

Police in New South Wales said they would look into whether national biosecurity laws had been broken.

Australia has so far reported 5,548 coronavirus cases and 30 deaths.

Those sickened on cruise ships account for nearly a tenth of all cases in Australia.

The country has imposed strict social distancing measures and clubs, cafes, parks and gyms have been closed in a bid to contain the outbreak

At a news conference, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said there were "many unanswered questions" about the incident.

He said that, by law, vessels were only allowed to dock and disembark passengers if the captain could assure the local authorities that their ship was free from contagious disease.

Mr Fuller said there were "discrepancies" involving the information provided by the ship's owners, Carnival Australia, and the requirements of the law.

"The only way I can get to the bottom of whether our national biosecurity laws and our state laws were broken is through a criminal investigation," he told reporters.

Mr Fuller said that the day before passengers disembarked in Sydney a worker made an emergency call about two people who needed medical assistance. He said police were assured by the operating company that the coronavirus was not an issue on the ship.

"From that perspective, there are many unanswered questions," he added.

The New South Wales government has faced mounting criticism for allowing people off the ship but has insisted that the decision was based on expert advice.

Mr Fuller added that Carnival Australia had said it would fully co-operate with the inquiry. The company has not yet commented publicly on the criminal investigation.

The Ruby Princess with about 2,700 people on board arrived in Sydney last month after an 11-day cruise.

According to NSW Health, about a dozen passengers had reported feeling unwell and had swabs taken for Covid-19. One was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

But other passengers on board weren't told of this. Instead, they streamed off the boat at Circular Quay - some of them coughing and spluttering, according to witnesses. The busy area leads directly into the city centre, with transit links to the airport and outer suburbs.

Elisa McCafferty, an Australian woman who flew home to London with her husband immediately after disembarking, told the BBC: "Nothing was said at any time about anyone being sick onboard. It was a distinct lack of information coming through from Princess [Princess Cruises which is owned by Carnival] the entire time."

A day after the ship docked, officials revealed cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed in three people who had been on board, prompting a scramble to track down everyone who had been on the ship.

Ms McCafferty said she only learned of the danger when she checked her phone at Heathrow Airport.

"I was just absolutely petrified. We had just been on two full flights - what if we had infected someone?"

Cruise lines pledge Australian bushfire relief cash

Cruise lines pledge Australian bushfire relief cash

Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings have both made donations to help support Australian bushfire disaster recovery efforts.

The bushfire crisis has been ongoing in Australia since September and 27 people have died.

More than $1.25 million has been pledged by Carnival Foundation – the corporation’s philanthropic arm – five of its global cruise line brands together with the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation.

The pledge includes $1 million from the family foundation of Carnival chairman Arison and his wife, in addition to $250,000 from Carnival Foundation and five brands – P&O Cruises (Australia), Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises.

All five brands have ships based year-round in Australia or homeport seasonally in the country.

The $1 million will be provided to support “the most timely and urgent relief needs throughout the country”.

The $250,000 donation has been committed to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.

The company’s commitment follows a combined A$50,000 donation from P&O Cruises (Australia) and passengers late last year to support residents of New South Wales and Queensland impacted by local bushfires.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has donated A$250,000 to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund to support emergency relief efforts for communities affected by bushfires.









Carnival Australia President Sture Myrmell said: “Our cruise lines carried hundreds of thousands of Aussies and international guests on voyages this summer, and this gesture is a sign of our solidarity with the local community.

“As a cruise shipping organisation with close ties to Australian communities developed over many years, we have been shocked by the devastation from this ongoing disaster.

“Our cruise lines are contributing to the Australian Red Cross’ Disaster Relief and Recovery work because of the organisation’s experience in dealing with the effects of natural disasters and its national reach.

“Communities affected by the bushfire crisis are in immediate need, and we are pleased to be able to contribute in a way that ensures help can be delivered where it is needed most and as quickly as possible. This contribution is being made on behalf of all of our guests who are no doubt equally shocked and concerned at what has happened to their fellow Australians.”

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings president and chief executive Frank Del Rio said: “We are saddened by the devastation caused by the ongoing bushfires in Australia.

“Our A$250,000 donation to the Australian Red Cross will go directly to relief and recovery efforts for those affected by these historic fires.”

Newcastle Terminal Design Unveiled

The NSW Government and Port of Newcastle have revealed the design of the new Newcastle Cruise Terminal which will transform the cruise passenger experience in Newcastle, according to a prepared statement. 

The purpose-built facility will cover approximately 3,000 square meters and will include facilities for passenger drop-off and pick up, coach parking and vessel provisioning.

Port of Newcastle’s CEO, Geoff Crowe, said the Newcastle Cruise Terminal would provide a professional transit experience for passengers arriving in Newcastle and a positive first impression of the city.

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“We are excited to share the concept design for the Newcastle Cruise Terminal which reflects Newcastle’s position as a world-class cruise ship destination. The traveller experience is central to GHD Woodhead’s design, with harbour views, ease of movement, natural daylight and a generous sense of spacing greeting passengers.

“The new cruise terminal, to be built at the Channel Berth, will enable the Port to receive more and larger cruise ships in the future. Importantly, it will position Newcastle as a home port where ships can start and finish their destination in Newcastle. Eventually cruise visits could also be aligned with major events, such as the V8 Supercars, adding another dimension to the visitor and tourism experience,” said Crowe.

“According to the Australian Cruise Association’s estimates, cruise shipping in Newcastle currently injects around $11 million per annum to the local economy. Homeporting has the potential to deliver even more economic value to the region via more cruise ships and more visitors and the opportunity for local businesses to provide goods and services for the provisioning of vessels.”

The $12.7 million Newcastle Cruise Terminal is funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Hunter Infrastructure Investment Fund.

The design was unveiled by the Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, the Central Coast and the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, who said the Newcastle Cruise Terminal would be a major boost for the Hunter’s tourism sector.

“The Newcastle Cruise Terminal is a big win for the region and a key part of Newcastle’s revitalisation. It cements the city as an international cruise destination and will deliver flow on benefit to the region’s already thriving tourism industry. Additionally, it complements the increased capacity of Newcastle Airport,” said MacDonald.

“The NSW Government has contributed $13.1 million towards the $13.5 million Newcastle cruise upgrades*. The Hunter Research Foundation has estimated the projects will contribute around $26.7 million to the local economy and an additional 76 jobs through construction and flow-on effects.”

Crowe said he was thrilled to share the design with the community after many months of detailed planning.

“Throughout the design process, Port of Newcastle has worked with the cruise industry, tourism representatives and Australian border agencies to factor in their requirements.

“Unveiling the design is a significant step and it is only going to get more exciting from here. Construction will commence in early 2018 and Novocastrians will have a cruise terminal to call their own by the end of next year,” said Crowe.

“We look forward to welcoming the Explorer of the Seas on her maiden visit to Newcastle in February 2019 – the largest cruise ship to visit our port carrying 3,900 passengers.”

Search for couple missing overboard from Carnival Spirit / Cruise fall couple may have been arguing, claims police source

Search for couple missing overboard from Carnival Spirit

09 May 2013 

A major search is under way after two people were reported missing from Carnival Spirit off the coast of Australia.

After the pair - a 26-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man who were travelling with family and friends - were unaccounted for during the debarkation process at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal, the authorities were contacted and searches began.

The New South Wales (NSW) police said an air and marine search and rescue operation was under way off the coast of Forster - more than 130 miles north of Sydney.

Officers from the Marine Area Command reviewed CCTV footage and determined the pair had gone overboard about 8.50pm local time on Wednesday.

A spokesman for NSW police said: "Police and Australian Search and Rescue have determined a search area approximately 60Nm east of Forster and have deployed aircraft and marine vessels.

"Officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the pair and, in these early stages, are focused on the search efforts."

A spokesman for Carnival Cruise Lines said: "We have naturally been concerned since we became aware that two passengers were missing from Carnival Spirit and our thoughts are clearly with their families at this difficult time.

"We are working closely with New South Wales Police and assisting them in their inquiries.

"At approximately 9.15am today during the debarkation process for Carnival Spirit at the conclusion of a 10-night cruise in Sydney, it became apparent that two guests, a 26-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, were unaccounted for.

"The ship immediately initiated standard missing person procedures including a full search of the vessel as per protocol. The guests in question were travelling with family and friends and initial reports indicate that the couple were last seen onboard the vessel last night."

 Cruise fall couple may have been arguing, claims police source

14 May 2013 at 11.07 GMT

A couple who went overboard from a cruise ship off the coast of Australia on May 8 had been arguing before the fall, a senior police source told the Associated Australian Press.

The incident occurred on the Carnival Spirit as it sailed along the mid-north coast of New South Wales.

CCTV captured Paul Rossington and Kristen Schroder in the ship's casino on Wednesday evening having a heated argument, which led them to skip dinner with Ms. Schroder's family.

Later footage shows the pair 'mucking around' in the ship's corridor, apparently no longer arguing. The couple then head to the deck of the ship where Ms. Schroder can be seen climbing over the Spirit's railing, facing the sea.

Around 8.50pm, the footage shows the couple going overboard into the Tasman Sea, one immediately after the other. Police have been unable to determine whether Ms. Schroder jumped or fell, but Mr. Rossington can be seen jumping overboard moments later.

The search for the pair was called off last Friday afternoon after police had searched 500 square nautical miles off the coast of Forster, NSW.

Carnival Australia has defended the company's safety standards, saying rails on the ship are higher than required by international regulations.