Cruise industry gives Cairns terminal seal of approval

Two of the cruise ship industry’s heavyweights have given the $11.2 million Cairns cruise terminal their seal of approval.

Two of the cruise ship industry’s heavyweights have given the $11.2 million Cairns cruise terminal their seal of approval.

The bosses of two overseas operators have made identical suggestions for Wifi access so they can connect passenger check-in desks to their ships.

Ports North corporate services general manager Kerry Egerton said the terminal would have Wifi but they would have to check to see if it would be suitable for the check-in desks.

Royal Celebrity Tours president Craig Milan and Princess Cruises vice-president Bruce Krumrine have made separate inspections of the terminalโ€™s progress in the past month and are full of praise.

“The cruise terminal in Cairns is a fantastic project. Using heritage sheds for passenger terminals is something both operators and passengers just love,” Mr Krumrine said.

“The destination of Cairns is an ideal port of call where cruise liners are berthing in the central city area and passengers have easy access to the CBD and other facilities.”

Mr Milan said Cairns had developed the “ideal cruise destination with the ability to berth vessels within walking distance of the CBD”.

“The refurbishment of the heritage-listed cruise liner terminal is a great example of working with the cruise industry and heritage experts to provide a functional facility. Cairns has got it right,” he said.

Mr Milan said the company was considering simulation tests which could allow two of its larger ships, the Celebrity Century and Radiance of the Seas, to sail into Trinity Inlet instead of docking off Yorkeys Knob or Port Douglas.

Mr Milan said Cairns would remain on his company’s itineraries.

“Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and is a friendly, warm destination,” he said.

“Our guests love it and rate their experience there very highly so we will stay.”

Last year, 50 cruise ship visited the Far North which injected more than $12 million into the region’s economy.

The upgrade coincides with the $200 million redevelopment of Cairns airport.

Road entrances to the city will also be enhanced to improve the first impressions for driving tourists.

Cairns Mayor Val Schier said money to improve all road entry points to Cairns had been included in the
2010-11 Budget.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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