Princess pulls Grand from Australia

[arxcards]

I was just poking around with a semi-related topic, and thought a Melbournians might get a bit of a grin from this media release:

 

https://www.carnivalaustralia.com/media-releases/2016/november/victoria-sails-into-biggest-summer-of-cruising-as-emerald-princess-makes-maiden-visit.aspx

 

[cruiser3775]

"Princess ships are regular visitors to Victoria with all of the line’s five locally-based ships making calls to the State this season....."

That was back in 2016.  Sob..... 
 

[reeves35]

3 hours ago, arxcards said:

I was just poking around with a semi-related topic, and thought a Melbournians might get a bit of a grin from this media release:

 

https://www.carnivalaustralia.com/media-releases/2016/november/victoria-sails-into-biggest-summer-of-cruising-as-emerald-princess-makes-maiden-visit.aspx

 

Much of the blame for the failure of cruising out of Melbourne can be laid at the feet of successive state governments.  Over time, they have gradually ratcheted up port fees charged to cruise lines but have done nothing to address the clear infrastructure issues. 

 

Station Pier is a disgrace; it is dilapidated and forces passengers to queue out in the weather because there is insufficient space available undercover.  I first visited there as a child in 1970 as my grandmother joined a world cruise on Chandris' Australis; it hasn't changed much in the intervening 54 years.  A bit of foresight 30 years ago would have made the Bolte Bridge a tunnel under the Yarra and a new cruise terminal could have been built just about to where Marvel Stadium is today.

 

On top of the terrible terminal facilities, passengers and visitors emerge out into Port Melbourne where they are greeted by a graffiti covered shell that was once a grocery store.  It has remained that way for nearly a decade.  They walk past this on the way to the tramstop where visitors are forced to work out the complete shambles that is the Myki ticketing system.  Surely, Route 109 trams should be free on days when cruise ships are in port.    

 

[cruiser3775]

21 hours ago, reeves35 said:

Much of the blame for the failure of cruising out of Melbourne can be laid at the feet of successive state governments.  Over time, they have gradually ratcheted up port fees charged to cruise lines but have done nothing to address the clear infrastructure issues. 

Not the whole story. In fact, the Melbourne port charges are lower than in Sydney or Brisbane.  Station Pier needs a major upgrade of facilities, but the pier itself is very long and can berth cruise three ships at once, unlike the OPT in Sydney.

And Myki is on the  way out, hopefully replaced by something more up to date, and offering day fares for visitors by using their credit cards.

[arxcards]

5 hours ago, cruiser3775 said:

Not the whole story. In fact, the Melbourne port charges are lower than in Sydney or Brisbane.  Station Pier needs a major upgrade of facilities, but the pier itself is very long and can berth cruise three ships at once, unlike the OPT in Sydney.

And Myki is on the  way out, hopefully replaced by something more up to date, and offering day fares for visitors by using their credit cards.

It is indeed a complex issue. The pier can hold three ships, but it can't handle three shiploads of passengers. The port charges are an issue. Sydney charges more, but direct from those funds they paid for an OPT upgrade, White Bay cruise terminal, and the next big terminal if they can decide on where it can be. Melbourne was levying a price increase to the Carnival brands, not only without improving amenities, but also waiving much of Virgin's port charges at the same time.

[possum52]

On 6/11/2024 at 3:23 PM, reeves35 said:

On top of the terrible terminal facilities, passengers and visitors emerge out into Port Melbourne where they are greeted by a graffiti covered shell that was once a grocery store.  It has remained that way for nearly a decade.  

 

The Beacon Cove Foodstore (grocery store) closed in April 2020. Hardly nearly a decade ago. I do agree it is an eyesore though. The site was sold in 2021 and is to be developed as Pier 103 Waterfront Residences. I haven't been past for a while so not sure if building has commenced, although the development website has a banner at the top saying 'Under Construction'.