Crystal Bridge Cams from White Bay

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Crystal Symphony is in White Bay today. 16 Feb 2014 . Heres what her 3 cams are sending out to the world.

 

 

 

[sun-set]

Crystal Symphony is in White Bay today. 16 Feb 2014 . Heres what her 3 cams are sending out to the world.

 

 

 

 

Thanks David they are good quality pictures (for cruise cams,) but certainly not the best pictures to promote Sydney.

White Bay is a big big disappointment :mad:

[OzKiwiJJ]

Especially not with the weather we're having today. I'm surprised the pics actually look that good. You must have grabbed them between downpours, David.

 

OK, I'm a newbie to cruising but I'm having a real problem trying to work out what Sydney (NSW govt?) and Brisbane (QLD govt) are trying to do with the location of some of the places cruise boats are docking. OK, I understand the ships have got bigger but are these cities (and possibly others around Australia) really serious about wanting the cruise ship trade? In the case of Sydney, having the temporary cruise terminal at Barangaroo was bad enough but at least it was within walking distance of the CBD. But White Bay? Taxi access only? No trains, trams, ferries, or regular bus service (just a local Balmain one I think). Right in the middle of nowhere (sorry Balmain) with virtually nothing around it - the nearest shops and cafes are quite a decent uphill hike away. OK, it's fine for someone like me who lives locally, I can get dropped there relatively easily by car, but I feel so sorry for overseas, interstate, or out-of-town cruisers who have to embark and disembark there. Not to mention those just visiting for the day.

 

Then David posts lovely pictures of ships moored at Auckland. Right in the heart of downtown and reasonably close to good public transport, shops and restaurants - good restaurants at that. Oh well, the Kiwi part of me is very proud of Auckland :D, but I'm ashamed to be a Sydneyite :mad:.

Edited February 16, 2014 by OzKiwiJJ

[awesome girl]

White Bay would be better if they got their act into gear and had a place

to get a coffee or drink while you are waiting. There isn't even any benches

where you can do your paperwork before registering, it really is very poorly

thought out.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I'm expecting my December cruise to embark from White Bay. I'm hoping that embarkation will be quick and painless but I shall have to wait and see.

 

They say first impressions have the most impact. I wonder how many first time cruisers, that haven't had the benefit of the wisdom, advice and general info available here, have been turned off cruising by poor port facilities, especially at embarkation and disembarkation.

 

Hopefully I won't be. I've been "warned" by what I've read here. But I suspect I'll be swearing under my breath at the idiocy of whoever made the White Bay decision until I'm safely onboard.

[By The Bay]

White Bay would be better if they got their act into gear and had a place

to get a coffee or drink while you are waiting. There isn't even any benches

where you can do your paperwork before registering, it really is very poorly

thought out.

When you enter thru the main entrance, to the right is a coffee shop that also sells stuff to eat. Also on your right is a stand up bench with pens to complete your paper work. I just bring my own pen and do it sitting down.:)

[awesome girl]

Thank you for the information By The Bay, I will remember that for the

next time we go out of White Bay, we usually travel up the same day and

sometimes have to wait a while before boarding. Only been out of White Bay

once and wasn't impressed.

[alibabacruisers]

I have a question regarding White Bay. It seems we will be docking there next year and I was checking out the ferry possibility. Could we walk from the ship to the Balmain East Ferry Wharf and catch a ride to Circular Quay? Tickets can be purchased on the ferry? Thanks.

[OzKiwiJJ]

According to Google maps it's 2.8km, and should take about 35 mins, to walk from White Bay Cruise Terminal to Balmain East Ferry Wharf. You have to backtrack quite a bit to get out of the cruise terminal. The shortest route looks like it goes along a walking or cycle track, and there may be uphill sections.

 

Edit: You should be able to buy a ticket on the ferry unless Balmain East has a ticket machine or office.

Edited February 17, 2014 by OzKiwiJJ

[Mothballs]

I know there are a lot of critics regarding White Bay but I'm wondering where else the Government could have built a cruise terminal. This is a genuine question. The State Government decided that a Casino at Barangaroo for high rollers would be more profitable than the money tourists spend from cruise ships so that part of the harbour was out. The Government has said no to relocating the Navy from Garden Island.A decision I agree with.

I also wonder if the cruise boom will last. We currently have the cashed up baby boomers but is the next generation going to have as much money to spend on holidays.

Just a few thoughts.

Regards Elaine.

[erewhon]

Kiwi Kruzer,

 

Thanks for posting the photos from the Crystal Symphony.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I know there are a lot of critics regarding White Bay but I'm wondering where else the Government could have built a cruise terminal. This is a genuine question. The State Government decided that a Casino at Barangaroo for high rollers would be more profitable than the money tourists spend from cruise ships so that part of the harbour was out. The Government has said no to relocating the Navy from Garden Island.A decision I agree with.

I also wonder if the cruise boom will last. We currently have the cashed up baby boomers but is the next generation going to have as much money to spend on holidays.

Just a few thoughts.

Regards Elaine.

 

It's not the cruise terminal per se that is the problem, it is the lack of easy transportation options given its distance from the CBD. At the moment the only options are taxis, hire cars, and private cars. Why not a shuttle ferry between White Bay and Circular Quay? A regular shuttle bus service to, say, the QVB which gives access to/from Town Hall Station. A shuttle bus up the hill to Balmain for those that want access to cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops and a supermarket. All three of these options require very little infrastructure to put in place. Somewhere for the ferry to dock, plus the ferry, of course. They'd probably need four buses to do the CBD shuttle and two for the run into Balmain - these two could possibly be smaller buses even. And a sheltered bus stop. No train or tram tracks, no extra roads.

 

Edit: Looking at Google maps it looks like there are train tracks between Lilydale Station and White Bay. A shuttle train that connects to the Light Rail?

 

It's like the government has only done half the job. Plunked down the cruise terminal but haven't bothered about the infrastructure to support it.

 

Actually they should have put the high rollers casino at White Bay and left the cruise terminal at Barangaroo :D

Edited February 17, 2014 by OzKiwiJJ

[By The Bay]

It's not the cruise terminal per se that is the problem, it is the lack of easy transportation options given its distance from the CBD. At the moment the only options are taxis, hire cars, and private cars. Why not a shuttle ferry between White Bay and Circular Quay? A regular shuttle bus service to, say, the QVB which gives access to/from Town Hall Station. A shuttle bus up the hill to Balmain for those that want access to cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops and a supermarket. All three of these options require very little infrastructure to put in place. Somewhere for the ferry to dock, plus the ferry, of course. They'd probably need four buses to do the CBD shuttle and two for the run into Balmain - these two could possibly be smaller buses even. And a sheltered bus stop. No train or tram tracks, no extra roads.

 

Edit: Looking at Google maps it looks like there are train tracks between Lilydale Station and White Bay. A shuttle train that connects to the Light Rail?

 

It's like the government has only done half the job. Plunked down the cruise terminal but haven't bothered about the infrastructure to support it.

 

Actually they should have put the high rollers casino at White Bay and left the cruise terminal at Barangaroo :D

I agree with your logic. Unfortunately the "powers that be" don't. The rail line was ripped up to make way for the road into White Bay, see http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/white-bay-road-construction-throws-lightrail-plan-off-track-residents-20120924-26ghm.html

 

Meanwhile the Sydney Exhibition Centre has been moved to nearby Glebe Island and wait for it, there is a ferry service and shuttle bus service provided, see http://www.sydneyexhibitioncentre.com.au/#location-menu.

 

Q. Why not the same transport options for White Bay Cruise Terminal?

 

A, Cruise passengers are seen as rich and can use Taxi's, Hire Cars or walk the 1.5 klm's from nearest bus stop. :mad:

Edited February 18, 2014 by By The Bay