The need for Newcastle’s future cruise terminal was laid bare on Wednesday when Norwegian Jewel travelers departed the cruise liner to spend the day in the Hunter.
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Guests from as far as England, Canada and South Africa, who are on the ship for the Sydney to Singapore trip, were faced with construction fencing, bollards and a temporary marquee.
The $12.7 million cruise terminal, funded by the NSW Government, is due for construction later this year.
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Managing Director (Asia Pacific) of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Steve Odell, said the terminal will be essential in helping propel the region’s tourism economy.
“To have a cruise terminal that can give a professional approach to the business, it gives a really good impression of the city,” he said. “It can also accommodate the needs of cruise companies, and being able to process people properly leaves that quality first impression.
“It [cruise terminal] shows confidence in the region and helps promote the wider region around the city as well.
“We had about 2400 on board and I understand that everything ran smoothly, but a terminal provides a different experience for people. Both efficiency and showing off the town.”
The Norwegian Jewel was the fifth of 12 cruise liners to dock in Newcastle this year, with 13 to follow in 2019.
“We need to add variety to itineraries, especially the food and wine aspect” Mr Odell said. “The region is really rich in that kind of thing, there’s a lot of attraction.
“One of our operating objectives is to show more of regional NSW, we’ve been making calls on Eden for a while, now we’re committed to calls on Newcastle. We’re committed to promoting what’s beyond Sydney.”
The NSW Government and Port of Newcastle (PON) revealed designs for the terminal in November, indicating a principal contractor would be appointed in early 2018. However, a PON spokesperson said on Wednesday that decision was yet to be made.
“We are currently reviewing construction tenders,” the spokesperson said. “We will continue to welcome cruise ships throughout the construction period and aim to complete the building at the end of 2018.”
“The construction of a permanent cruise terminal will provide the infrastructure required for home porting where cruise ships and their passengers can start and finish cruises in Newcastle.
“Attracting home porting ships is our goal and we continue to work closely with cruise lines, the tourism industry and Destination NSW to promote the Hunter region's many attractions and encourage cruise lines to add Newcastle to their future itineraries.”
