Sydney still most important stop, cruise chief says, amid push for new cruise terminal

The chief of one of the key international cruise lines stopping in at Sydney says the city is still key, as debate rages over where future terminals will be built.

The head of a multinational cruise line pumping millions of dollars into Sydney’s economy says the city remains the key stop where his passengers want to go, as debate rages over where the next major cruise terminal should be built.

Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line cruises, told The Daily Telegraph Sydney was among the most popular stops on their world-spanning voyages, with certainty needed over future berths so that major cruise companies can plan their operations in the years ahead.

The Port Authority of NSW is currently reviewing options for new cruise berths in the state, but it’s understood their search is extending outside of Sydney, with Port Kembla in Wollongong an option in consideration.

But Mr Antorcha said Sydney remained the state’s key attraction for international cruise passengers.

President of Holland America Cruise Line, Gustavo Antorcha on the deck of the Volendam, which docked in Sydney over the weekend. Picture: David Swift

“(If) you’re catering to a foreign tourist, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, the major cities have to be in the mix,” Mr Antorcha said.

“(Sydney as a cruise line stop) is very important to us … we’re very supportive of thinking ahead as to what the city needs.”

As it stands, major cruise ships which can’t fit under the Sydney Harbour Bridge have to berth at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

If that’s full, they have to drop anchor at Athol Bay and be ferried into the Sydney.

Mr Antorcha said that scenario of ferrying passengers anchored at the bay was “not ideal”.

Holland America Line’s cruise ship Volendam was docked at the Overseas Passenger Terminal over the weekend – meaning the Queen Victoria had to park at Athol Bay.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen last year ruled out using Garden Island as another terminal for major cruise ships, saying the Navy base at the site “is not going anywhere”.

Virgin billionaire Sir Richard Branson, who visited Sydney in December, also said then he had concerns over the amount of space for major cruise ships on Sydney Harbour.

A cruise ship arriving in Sydney.

It comes as the latest figures from Carnival Australia show that 1.1 million people have embarked on cruises across Australia this summer.

The company anticipates that the Volendam being docked in Sydney over the weekend would have pumped $800,000 into the local economy in just two days.

The cruise line has had eight voyages starting and finishing in Sydney this cruising season, with the company stating that total spending in the city in that time is expected to top $6.77 million.

“Cruise lines have a tremendous economic impact on Sydney and NSW,” Mr Antorcha said.

“It’s great that we can contribute to that.”

An October report into the income generated by the cruise industry over 2022-2023 showed NSW benefited from a $2.75b economic impact from the sector, more than any other state in the country.

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Originally published as Sydney still most important stop, cruise chief says, amid push for new cruise terminal