A second cruise ship company has scheduled a stop at Port Kembla harbour, with the Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) Norwegian Star due to arrive in Wollongong on February 23.
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While this will no doubt be another boon for the region’s tourism industry, some of the ship’s passengers appear to be unhappy with the late change of course prompted by the ship’s engine problems.
Posting on cruise forums and Facebook, multiple passengers of the ship have complained about the change of stop – saying it will mean skipping New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, Brisbane and a port in Bali.
A number expressed disappointment over the stop at the “cargo port” and “industrial estate type port”, calling for compensation from the cruise line.
It is unclear whether this compensation has been given.
But, Wollongong councillor Leigh Colacino, who has led the project to make Port Kembla a cruise destination, remained positive about the unexpected NCL arrival.
He said the Wollongong port was equipped to help repair the ship, which would show other cruise lines the range of facilities available as they considered the port.
“It’s unfortunate the ship has issues, but that’s out of our control,” he said.
“What is in our control is that we need to give these passengers the experience of a holiday, and I believe we can deliver the experience that no other destination can.”
“No matter what reason a ship is in our port, our city will always look after each and every visitor who comes ashore.”
Likewise, the region’s tourism boss remained upbeat despite some passengers’ disgruntlement.
“We have proven we are cruise ready and can turn around these opportunities as needed as well as having the capacity and infrastructure to meet all of their needs,” Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh said.
“This is a major win for Wollongong.”
In recent weeks, the Norwegian Star has faced a wave of controversy after part of its propulsion system – the azipod – failed.
This means the ship has been unable to travel as fast as it needs to reach all scheduled ports.
In late January, after problems during a Singapore cruise, passengers took to the main atrium in protest – reportedly booing and calling on the captain to appear.
Destination Wollongong said the “unexpected” Port Kembla stop “on the ship’s Auckland to Singapore itinerary [is] to allow extra maintenance on the ship’s engines”.
The port’s shipping log indicated the ship will arrive at 8am, from Auckland, and depart at 6pm, to go slightly north to Sydney.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
