![]() There are bigger ports are better suited to the larger ships now being launched. “Port Authority takes appropriate measures to ensure all visiting cruise ships can safely access the port and berth.”Įven the largest of ships, such as Icon of the Seas with 5610 to 7600 passengers, are now sticking to the northern hemisphere. “The capacity of berths across Port Authority of NSW ports is different in every port as each has its own specifications,” a Port Authority of NSW spokesperson said. ![]() The Port of Eden on the NSW Far South Coast can welcome larger ships such as Brilliance of the Seas (2150-2580 passengers) as it has a dock. The new Disney Wonder and Resilient Lady will homeport in Melbourne. The search continues for other regional ports that may be able to provide ports of call, despite a reluctance by lines to use them over Sydney.ĭisney Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages have had to look elsewhere. The popularity of destinations such as Sydney means the Overseas Passenger Terminal is hitting peak capacity. While big ships pose an economic boost for regional ports, the long wait poses the question of whether vessels the size of Quantum (348m long and a capacity of 4819 passengers) can manage smaller ports. ![]() One of the catamaran tenders servicing Quantum of the Seas moored off Cairns. It is believed the ship left after 7 pm, more than two hours after its scheduled departure. We’ve been queuing since 3.45 and it’s almost 6 pm now.” Then this has to be done in reverse to get back to the ship. Catamarans hold 150 so just under 27 catamarans to shuttle everyone off the ship. This needs to be improved or more tenders in the water.”Īs another passenger posted: “4000 passengers, coaches hold 50 people, 2 buses for 100 people, 80 bus trips to carry 4000 passengers into Cairns. By the time we got our tender tickets and then waited and waited, it was almost 2 hours before we got off the ship. “Over 4000 passengers and only 4 boats in use was not good. “Just been on the ship and the tenders were a problem,” one Cruise Passenger reader commented. The buses then took them to Cairns for their shore excursion. Passengers said it took nearly two hours to exit the ship to board tenders for the half-hour trip to a bus. Quantum of the Seas left Brisbane on November 4 via the Whitsundays and Airlie Beach before mooring off Cairns. “Ports North are not involved in cruise ship tendering operations from anchor into Yorkeys Knob.” How the story unfolded The Quantum of the Seas is 348m and therefore too long to enter the port of Cairns and utilise the Cruise Terminal facilities. Ports North, which runs Cairns, told Cruise Passenger: “The Cairns Shipping Development project completed in 2020 deepened and widened the channel into Cairns to accommodate ships up to 300m. Royal Caribbean said yesterday it was investigating the incident and would respond as soon as possible.Īt a time when more large vessels are servicing a record cruise season, the incident points up the need for more investment in port infrastructure. Quantum of the Seas is too big to berth in Cairns, so an estimated 27 return trips would have been needed for the four catamarans to return them to the ship moored off Cairns.Īngry passengers took to social media including Cruise Passenger’s Facebook page asking why so few tenders were being used. Thousands of passengers queued for several hours in the heat and humidity as they waited to reboard Quantum of the Seas moored off Cairns.
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