Princess 2025/6 out of Melbourne/Adelaide

[Womble99]

As someone who has to fly to catch almost any cruise, we will always pick any other port ahead of Melbourne. 

Honestly it is the biggest pain in the butt we have come across to use so if we have to fly anyway we go elsewhere. 

[Cbtours]

1 minute ago, Womble99 said:

As someone who has to fly to catch almost any cruise, we will always pick any other port ahead of Melbourne. 

Honestly it is the biggest pain in the butt we have come across to use so if we have to fly anyway we go elsewhere. 

you must live out in the boondoos as my South African husband would say 😁

 

 

 

[MelbTone]

I'm spoiled: if I'm not too heavily laden I can walk to Port Melbourne. My take on it is therefore somewhat different to those who have been travelling for many hours. At a minimum the tram line needs to be extended to the pier with two platforms so that there is nearly always a tram waiting and the free tram zone should be extended to PM when there is a ship in port.

[beatleman]

Station Pier belongs to the age of Ocean Liners when migrants from Europe in the late 40's and 50's were coming to our shores by ship. To say it needs refurbishing is an understatement, it needs replacing. Having done the Maiden Virgin Cruise which was great and only marred by embarkation and disembarkation. The Terminal is a relic of the past,however when you have State Governments with no interest in investing in Cruising or no idea of the Tourist dollars it generates, Station Pier will slowly sink into the Bay. Both sides of the political spectrum are equally to blame. Put some goalposts on the ships and call it Cruiseball and watch the $$$ flow. During Covid Tennis Australia were 60 million in debt, Dan the Dictator said don't worry we will cover it. Don't blame the Companies for abandoning this facility when they are going to pay extra for a product that is not going to improve. TTLine built their own at Geelong for that very reason. Make no mistakes Virgin and Disney will be out of here as soon as berths are available in Sydney, home porting will become a thing of the past in this city. Overseas cities are investing huge amounts in new and existing terminals,it's a pity it's not happening here. OK end of rant.  

[Cbtours]

21 minutes ago, beatleman said:

Station Pier belongs to the age of Ocean Liners when migrants from Europe in the late 40's and 50's were coming to our shores by ship. To say it needs refurbishing is an understatement, it needs replacing. Having done the Maiden Virgin Cruise which was great and only marred by embarkation and disembarkation. The Terminal is a relic of the past,however when you have State Governments with no interest in investing in Cruising or no idea of the Tourist dollars it generates, Station Pier will slowly sink into the Bay. Both sides of the political spectrum are equally to blame. Put some goalposts on the ships and call it Cruiseball and watch the $$$ flow. During Covid Tennis Australia were 60 million in debt, Dan the Dictator said don't worry we will cover it. Don't blame the Companies for abandoning this facility when they are going to pay extra for a product that is not going to improve. TTLine built their own at Geelong for that very reason. Make no mistakes Virgin and Disney will be out of here as soon as berths are available in Sydney, home porting will become a thing of the past in this city. Overseas cities are investing huge amounts in new and existing terminals,it's a pity it's not happening here. OK end of rant.  

It’s absolutely true!

[2022cruisey]

Just got our port fee refund for missing Wellington.  $49.70 AU.  Carnival is telling furphies about the port fees in Melbourne being too expensive.

[boeckli]

After missing Port Arthur on last month's Majestic cruise,  my refund was $51.11

 

[beatleman]

16 hours ago, 2022cruisey said:

Just got our port fee refund for missing Wellington.  $49.70 AU.  Carnival is telling furphies about the port fees in Melbourne being too expensive.

Face facts Carnival's PR is not going to tell the State Government that they can't fill there ships in Melbourne. Why does Royal, Celebrity NCL and most others not homeport in Melbourne, most have tried and the answer is the same they can't obtain capacity. So the State gives Carnival an easy way out by increasing port fees. Your right it's a Furphy, talking of Furphy's I'll be having a few schooners of the brand tonight at the RSL.

[arxcards]

2 hours ago, beatleman said:

Face facts Carnival's PR is not going to tell the State Government that they can't fill there ships in Melbourne. Why does Royal, Celebrity NCL and most others not homeport in Melbourne, most have tried and the answer is the same they can't obtain capacity. So the State gives Carnival an easy way out by increasing port fees. Your right it's a Furphy, talking of Furphy's I'll be having a few schooners of the brand tonight at the RSL.

An ice cold Furphy on tap. There are worse things in life.

 

Correct it wasn't working. Melbourne was viable prior to covid, but things have shrunk a bit since then. We do rely on US cruisers to fill our summer ships, and Melbourne is out of their loop compared to Sydney and Brisbane. Even the relocation cruises come via Sydney to fill the ship. Carnival want the state government to create an attraction for cruisers to cruise from Melbourne, using some of the existing fees instead of just banking them as revenue. Instead, the state is just increasing charges for general revenue.

 

In contrast, the similar charges in Sydney have funded an OPT upgrade and built the facility at White Bay. That is meant to continue with a 3rd berth, if only they can agree on where it will go. Even if they settle for 2nd prize in Port Kembla, the passenger tax will contribute to facilities there.

[LittleFish1976]

On 1/19/2024 at 10:09 AM, beatleman said:

Face facts Carnival's PR is not going to tell the State Government that they can't fill there ships in Melbourne. Why does Royal, Celebrity NCL and most others not homeport in Melbourne, most have tried and the answer is the same they can't obtain capacity. So the State gives Carnival an easy way out by increasing port fees. Your right it's a Furphy, talking of Furphy's I'll be having a few schooners of the brand tonight at the RSL.

As the young people say, 'Tell me you're from NSW without telling me you're from NSW'.

 

🤣

 

[LittleFish1976]

On 1/19/2024 at 12:36 PM, arxcards said:

An ice cold Furphy on tap. There are worse things in life.

 

Correct it wasn't working. Melbourne was viable prior to covid, but things have shrunk a bit since then. We do rely on US cruisers to fill our summer ships, and Melbourne is out of their loop compared to Sydney and Brisbane. Even the relocation cruises come via Sydney to fill the ship. Carnival want the state government to create an attraction for cruisers to cruise from Melbourne, using some of the existing fees instead of just banking them as revenue. Instead, the state is just increasing charges for general revenue.

 

In contrast, the similar charges in Sydney have funded an OPT upgrade and built the facility at White Bay. That is meant to continue with a 3rd berth, if only they can agree on where it will go. Even if they settle for 2nd prize in Port Kembla, the passenger tax will contribute to facilities there.

 

What sort of 'attraction' do you suggest that Carnival cruisers would want to have built for them to attract them to Melbourne? The cliche of the Carnival cruiser would suggest that would be beer barns with mud wrestling!

 

Sydney has the advantage of the flashy Opera House well-known as an image of Australia (maybe 'the only' image of Australia a lot of Americans would know).

 

Melbourne's advantages are not going to appeal to the usual Carnival or whatever cruise traveller; it's more to the taste of others who are coming for the food and the culture, the lovely gardens and the friendly people and great beaches; penguins, surf, vineyards.

 

Station pier is not as bad as some of the dramatic posts about it suggest. I'd rather sail to and from Melbourne than fly into or out of Sydney!

 

'Prepare for incoming' as Uncle Les would say...

Edited January 21 by LittleFish1976

[OzKiwiJJ]

1 hour ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

Station pier is not as bad as some of the dramatic posts about it suggest. I'd rather sail to and from Melbourne than fly into or out of Sydney!

 

'Prepare for incoming' as Uncle Les would say...

Yes.it.is!

 

I love visiting Melbourne but Station Pier needs a serious upgrade. And if there are any delays in boarding, as happened the time we did a Melbourne/SA/Sydney cruise, they need to at least let passengers through the gate so they can get some shelter from the rain, and to drop off bags before they get soaked.

 

 

[arxcards]

9 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

What sort of 'attraction' do you suggest that Carnival cruisers would want to have built for them to attract them to Melbourne? The cliche of the Carnival cruiser would suggest that would be beer barns with mud wrestling!

 

Sydney has the advantage of the flashy Opera House well-known as an image of Australia (maybe 'the only' image of Australia a lot of Americans would know).

 

Melbourne's advantages are not going to appeal to the usual Carnival or whatever cruise traveller; it's more to the taste of others who are coming for the food and the culture, the lovely gardens and the friendly people and great beaches; penguins, surf, vineyards.

 

Station pier is not as bad as some of the dramatic posts about it suggest. I'd rather sail to and from Melbourne than fly into or out of Sydney!

 

'Prepare for incoming' as Uncle Les would say...

Prepare for incoming would indicate a personal attack. I think this forum is above that, even when invited.

 

Not Carnival as in Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival Australia as in the local operator for Cunard & Princess, you know, the local management from the Cunard & Princess ships that are being taken away.

 

It is not just about reality, but more about perception. Even then it isn't just about a flashy opera house, but the ability to walk from port to hotel, an easy public transport link to the airport to fly home, and port infrastructure being maintained/improved.

 

The puzzle of why Melbourne is failing, even to the non-beer swilling, non-mud wrestling Cunarders has been discussed at length, so I will cheat and ask AI "How do you attract cruise ships to your city?" Interesting to see if any of this lines up with reality .... oops, 3 and 4 have nothing to do with mud wrestling.

 

1. Marketing the destination: You need to promote your city as a desirable destination for tourists. You can highlight the unique features of your city, such as its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and local cuisine. You can also collaborate with local businesses to offer attractive deals and discounts to cruise passengers.

2. Destination desirability: You need to ensure that your city has enough attractions and activities to keep the passengers engaged. You can offer guided tours, adventure sports, and cultural events to make their stay memorable.

3. Port satisfaction: You need to ensure that your port facilities are up-to-date and meet the standards of the cruise industry. You can invest in building new terminals, improving the infrastructure, and providing efficient services to the cruise lines.

4. Port value: You need to offer competitive pricing and incentives to the cruise lines to make your port an attractive destination. You can offer discounts on port fees, provide free shuttle services, and offer attractive packages for shore excursions.

Remember, attracting cruise ships to your city requires persistence and patience. It takes time to build relationships with the cruise lines and establish your city as a desirable destination. But with the right strategy and execution, you can make your city a popular port of call for cruise ships.