2010 Sep 09

$2.5m Newcastle cruise ship plan founders

 The state government's much-lauded $2.55 million Dyke Point cruise ship terminal was put to the test yesterday.

It failed, embarrassingly so, according to some passengers.

After a forklift driver and his machinery plunged into the harbour during unloading operations, passengers disembarking the Pacific Sun also experienced problems.

Complaints included no signs or directions about where to go and how to find transport, hundreds of people being forced to queue for taxis, and shuttle buses not connecting with other transport services.

Dave Brazier, of Maryland, was among a group of 10 travelling friends calling themselves "Ferals Afloat" and who were disappointed with the homecoming.

"I've got to say, the cruise was great . . . we absolutely 100 per cent had a ball," he said.

But the Dyke Point terminal did not meet the standard.

"It's absolutely dead set embarrassing what we've set up," Mr Brazier said.

Newcastle MP and Hunter and Tourism Minister Jodi McKay has in recent months been keen to highlight the $2.55 million invested to refurbish the channel berth at Dyke Point.

Mr Brazier said it was a half-baked solution.

Ms McKay said that yesterday marked the start of a new era in cruise tourism for Newcastle and the Hunter.

Newcastle Port Corporation, Cruise Hunter and P&O would work together to ensure any issues that passengers faced yesterday were dealt with before the Pacific Sun returned, she said.

Mr Brazier said a wharf on the Honeysuckle harbour side would be more convenient.

Port corporation spokesman Keith Powell said channel berth was chosen in consultation with the cruise industry. It was a home port, and therefore required more services than wharves hosting visiting vessels.

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