Gold Coast cruise ship terminal, yes or no?

[Rencruzr]

No No No. the proposal is for a mega pier which would necessitate transport options for the older cruisers. It would also desecrate a protected part of the Gold Coast. Only an hour from Brisbane, build it there,

 

 

How would it desecrate anything its a pier out into the ocean?? The transport options have already been discussed and options such as shuttle carts have already been proposed, I highly doubt older cruisers would have to walk.

 

Its already being built in Brisbane. Because there is a cruise port in Sydney does that mean they don't need one in Newcastle and Wollongong? RCI are bringing out Itineraries for Syd to Newcastle, Wollongong and Hobart, so what is so unusual about Brisbane, Gold coast, it is normal for world cruising, look at Mediterannean cruises, its cruise over night and port each day.

 

Look around, ask your neighbours, kids, or grandkids, anyone, hey do you want to go to Brisbane? or do you want all the fun of beaches, theme parks, casino and shops of the Gold Coast.... then come back let me know the results..... I know what I would chose.

[Aus Traveller]

I agree with the comments that the Gold Coast would be a great stop for a cruise. However, I do not think it is feasible to build a terminal and that is the only way it can work.

 

I am doubtful that a terminal could be built because

(1) the Pacific Ocean can become very rough and the Gold Coast is totally open to the swells. There are no protecting reefs or islands off the coast.

(2) The ocean along the coast is not terribly deep and any cruise ship facility would probably require constant dredging so it could continue to operate.

(3) Any structure built out into the ocean would alter the currents and movement of sand up and down the coast causing problems elsewhere.

 

Just imagine - say a 1km long jetty was built out into the ocean. When a big swell builds up in the ocean, how can a cruise ship safely tie up to that jetty?

 

I think it is a 'pipe dream', a nice one, but a pipe dream.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Look around, ask your neighbours, kids, or grandkids, anyone, hey do you want to go to Brisbane? or do you want all the fun of beaches, theme parks, casino and shops of the Gold Coast.... then come back let me know the results..... I know what I would chose.

 

In a way , you are defeating your own argument. Why would the cruise lines want to take people somewhere where they could spend all that money on the things you say?

They want passengers to spend all their money on board.

The Gold Coast is a holiday destination in itself and the operators there have to discount like mad to get people to go there. I dont think they would like the competition from a cruise ship. They need every dollar they can get to survive.

[Brisbane41]

I do not think it should have a cruise terminal. It is too close to Brisbane to be of any use and I have no desire to see many Australian cities by cruise ship. I would rather sail to international places. To me the Gold Coast for beaches is kind of nothing there to impress compared to being on a cruise ship. Why pay to go on a cruise ship and lay on a beach on the Gold Coast when you can fly there cheaper from anywhere in Australia and stay in a resort. Going to the Pacific Islands it totally different as they encompass many places that are unique and kind of still pristine with no modern buildings in sight.

 

The only reason I can see Gold Coast deserving of a cruise terminal is if it were to replace Brisbane as the main turnaround port.

[jspqld]

No from me to the recent off shore proposal. I think it will be way too expensive and suffer way too much damage every time there is a major storm. And I can only imagine how often ships wouldn't be able to get safely close to it due to bad weather.

Brisbane should be the number 1 port for sth east qld.

I think the gold coast region could do with a pier somewhere where ships could pull in for a day visit, just not an off shore one. Ideally this would have been inside the broadwater based on the original concept. Bridges would have allowed for easy traffic access but authorities ruled this would be to dangerous to the environment and scrapped it. The other idea is for the goldy to link up with the tweed gov and maybe look at creating a pier off/within the tweed river. This could be a lot cheaper and safer and be very close to the airport.

[Rinalouise]

As a Brisbane girl my only concern is if they build the GCCT (Gold Coast Cruise Terminal) will it take away business and cruises from the Brisbane port? I don't want to travel an extra hour (or more... any Brisbane folk know how bad the M1 can be on a good day!) in a car to the Gold Coast. If anything they need to improve the port of Brisbane terminal because welcoming guests to our great city with a "tent" isn't my idea of a terminal. (Added note: it must be a Brisbane thing that tents make good buildings... e.g. Knock down the showbag hall at the Ekka hey let's replace it with a tent! 🤦*♀️*Facepalm*)They need to put a physical building there so it doesn't look like a "shantytown". Brisbane has got so much going for it with a new massive casino being built numerous high end hotels in the city and you are less than an hour away from one of the major tourist destinations Australia Zoo (seriously ask any tourist from overseas one tourist attraction to do in SEQ & they'll most likely say it or at least 80% will). Gold Coast may have theme parks and beaches but so do Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Brisbane has high end international shops in its CBD so does the Gold Coast. My story in a nutshell: improve what we have first then go and build in a different location if you need to...

 

 

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[rabbitoh_777]

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Big YES from me, although not for any of the aforementioned reasons.

 

Absolutely hate the place so give it another overpriced under designed eyesore, a redundant piece of infrastructure to add to the multiplicity of reasons any sane person would not go within bull's roar of the nesting place of my Outlaws! :eek:

 

Did I say I hate this Transit lounge of fakery with a passion, oh ok I did let that slip... :evilsmile:

 

r, :cool:

 

 

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[Opua Kiwi]

More chance of this happening I reckon.

 

Stunning stadium pitched for Auckland, sunken into waterfront

'Crater' arena pitched for waterfront

[Kiwi Kruzer]

More chance of this happening I reckon.

 

Stunning stadium pitched for Auckland, sunken into waterfront

'Crater' arena pitched for waterfront

 

With the ever increasing size of the ships that are coming these days , they will probably need something that size as a cruise terminal......

:eek::D

[Rencruzr]

I agree with the comments that the Gold Coast would be a great stop for a cruise. However, I do not think it is feasible to build a terminal and that is the only way it can work.

 

I am doubtful that a terminal could be built because

(1) the Pacific Ocean can become very rough and the Gold Coast is totally open to the swells. There are no protecting reefs or islands off the coast.

(2) The ocean along the coast is not terribly deep and any cruise ship facility would probably require constant dredging so it could continue to operate.

(3) Any structure built out into the ocean would alter the currents and movement of sand up and down the coast causing problems elsewhere.

 

Just imagine - say a 1km long jetty was built out into the ocean. When a big swell builds up in the ocean, how can a cruise ship safely tie up to that jetty?

 

I think it is a 'pipe dream', a nice one, but a pipe dream.

 

All your concerns are valid concerns but it has been done before in Mexico (Costa Maya Mexico, look it up on google images) and I believe Glen who runs the offshore gold coast cruise ship facebook page, and been researching the subject for years, has the perfect design to work on the Gold Coast. Its up to you all who want more exciting stops in our waters and one of our biggest tourists tops to grow the cruising industry to support it. With all this constant nay saying it will never get done and people, like me, bored of our local stops will cruise elsewhere in the world. Id go on a cruise to stop on the GC but Brisbane doesn't appeal to me much.

 

https://www.facebook.com/gcoffshoreterminal/

[The_Big_M]

I hardly see the GC as the definitive stop maker for cruise itineraries, that would sway people.

 

 

There are a multitude of ways to get to the gold coast as a domestic traveller, and a cruise isn't the best way.

[Gwendy]

How would it desecrate anything its a pier out into the ocean?? The transport options have already been discussed and options such as shuttle carts have already been proposed, I highly doubt older cruisers would have to walk.

 

Its already being built in Brisbane. Because there is a cruise port in Sydney does that mean they don't need one in Newcastle and Wollongong? RCI are bringing out Itineraries for Syd to Newcastle, Wollongong and Hobart, so what is so unusual about Brisbane, Gold coast, it is normal for world cruising, look at Mediterannean cruises, its cruise over night and port each day.

 

Look around, ask your neighbours, kids, or grandkids, anyone, hey do you want to go to Brisbane? or do you want all the fun of beaches, theme parks, casino and shops of the Gold Coast.... then come back let me know the results..... I know what I would chose.

 

A long pier has the potential to change the sand formations in heavy swells. Plus the Southport Spit area is still relatively undeveloped where the terminal is to be located. The beaches worth going to are further down the Coast around Burleigh, Kirra and Currumbin.

[MicCanberra]

I vote No, fix Brisbane first. I think we are spreading ourselves to thinly if we put in more ports while not upgrading the ones we already have. If we do not have good facilities at the existing ports, they will become eyesores and no one will want to cruise there.

[gbenjo]

I think the Japanese owned Gold Coast might be OK as a port of call for a cruise but not as a port to embark or debark and would not warrant the building of an expensive terminal. Logistically Brisbane ( the new proposed terminal ) would be a far better option especially with its close proximity to Brisbane airport

[MMDown Under]

I agree with the comments that the Gold Coast would be a great stop for a cruise. However, I do not think it is feasible to build a terminal and that is the only way it can work.

 

I am doubtful that a terminal could be built because

(1) the Pacific Ocean can become very rough and the Gold Coast is totally open to the swells. There are no protecting reefs or islands off the coast.

(2) The ocean along the coast is not terribly deep and any cruise ship facility would probably require constant dredging so it could continue to operate.

(3) Any structure built out into the ocean would alter the currents and movement of sand up and down the coast causing problems elsewhere.

 

Just imagine - say a 1km long jetty was built out into the ocean. When a big swell builds up in the ocean, how can a cruise ship safely tie up to that jetty?

 

I think it is a 'pipe dream', a nice one, but a pipe dream.

 

Well said! And all the ocean experts agree. After rough seas, king tides, etc. the beach at Main Beach just drops away. I have seen Narrowneck, Main Beach breached in my lifetime. The Spit, like all spits, is a fragile environment.

 

I can't even imagine a 1 km long jetty built out in to the ocean over Main Beach. What about all the Main Beach locals and visitors who use that beautiful long beach to walk from Main Beach to end of the Spit?

[Hunter69]

No; Brisbane upgrade first. would rather have one here in Newcastle. We get about 5 or 6 boats a year. Have great attractions like Hunter valley wineries, Port stephens (sea life) & of course Newcastle itself. Third on my list...

[MicCanberra]

I agree, Brisbane needs a port with better facilities that can cater for the bigger ships (that cannot get under the bridge) and the Gold coast just isn't a viable option.

[chchgirl]

I'm in two minds, in one way yes as I am biased as I am moving to the Gold Coast in August, but no for the reasons others have mentioned, Brisbane seems a better choice.

[Rencruzr]

In a way , you are defeating your own argument. Why would the cruise lines want to take people somewhere where they could spend all that money on the things you say?

They want passengers to spend all their money on board.

The Gold Coast is a holiday destination in itself and the operators there have to discount like mad to get people to go there. I dont think they would like the competition from a cruise ship. They need every dollar they can get to survive.

 

Kiwi Kruzer (if your Kiwi why you would care about a proposed Australian port I don't know) for you to say im defeating my own argument is almost comical and the reasons you give are ridiculous and absurd.

 

You could say that ALL cruise ports have attractions and activities that people could "spend all their money", thats just a ridiculous argument. Anything the Gold Coast has cruise companies stops at glamorous destinations the world over that has those things and more, from sunny beaches of the Caribbean, to theme parks of Florida to Casinos in such places as Monaco. Cruise companies make their money mostly when the passengers are ONBOARD with drinks and gambling and other on board activities, they also make their money offshore by offering exscursions on land. Cruise ships stop at ports all over the world that are holiday destinations in themselves, to think thats all they can be is a very narrow view of the market and proven wrong in many instances where cruising has gone to.

 

So why would cruise companies take passengers to the Gold Coast, well you better ask them because they have said time and time again they would stop in a heart beat if there was a cruise terminal there. Its not rocket science, beautiful weather, beaches, trips to rainforest, casino, shopping, in fact it would have one of the most cruiser friendly list of things to see and do in Australia, stopping there is a no brainer, and not stopping their is just crazy.

[Rencruzr]

A big yes from me (not sure on the plan though). Gold Coast always looks better on the itinerary than Brisbane- and I live in Brisbane. I think there is room enough for terminals in Brisbane and GC. As seen with Royal Carribean this week, we don't have enough room now with the growing market

 

 

exactly I totally agree, why people, such as the Qld premier, continually seem to think you can only have one terminal at Brisbane is ridiculous. Brisbane is a beautiful city but its a city, its not a fun holiday destination. Both stops would compliment each other and would be a huge draw card. The cruise companies know this and they would LOVE a gold coast terminal built. Sydney and Newcastle have terminals, with Newcastle announcing a new multi million dollar terminal in the making, so what exactly is the issue? Its a non issue really.

[Rencruzr]

I do not think it should have a cruise terminal. It is too close to Brisbane to be of any use and I have no desire to see many Australian cities by cruise ship. I would rather sail to international places. To me the Gold Coast for beaches is kind of nothing there to impress compared to being on a cruise ship. Why pay to go on a cruise ship and lay on a beach on the Gold Coast when you can fly there cheaper from anywhere in Australia and stay in a resort. Going to the Pacific Islands it totally different as they encompass many places that are unique and kind of still pristine with no modern buildings in sight.

 

The only reason I can see Gold Coast deserving of a cruise terminal is if it were to replace Brisbane as the main turnaround port.

 

I think you answered your own question, because your used to the sights in your own state and Australia generally your sick of it, so therefore go overseas and see new sites. I remember speaking to a couple on a cruise to NZ who live in the Alaska area where all the ships go and to them its nothing they are just used to it. The point is you need to look at it from a new tourists eyes and to them the GC is an exciting beachside resort area with beautiful weather and sights.

 

The point is not to get on a ship to go to the gold coast, the days of catching a cruise ship as a mode of transport to a location went 50 years ago didn't it. Of course the GC would be a stop on a multi cruise stop either going around Australia or the ones that go up to Brisbane and/or cairns and other islands, and in that vein it would be a perfect addition to those itineraries, which, lets face it can be a bit limited and need new and exciting stops. I know id rather an around Australia cruise with an itinerary of Sydney - Newcastle - Gold Coast - Brisbane- Cairns - Darwin - Kimberleys stop somewhere- Fremantle

[Rencruzr]

I agree, Brisbane needs a port with better facilities that can cater for the bigger ships (that cannot get under the bridge) and the Gold coast just isn't a viable option.[/quote

 

thats not entirely true Mic there are offshore cruise ship terminals. True the ocean around the GC can be rough, but rock walls go into very rough ocean and they survive so why can't a well designed offshore terminal. The GC mayor has a not so good one in the design works, I think a guy Glenn who runs the GC offshore facebook page has a much better design after studying it for years and consulting with cruise companies. Pity the GC mayor is so arrogant and won't listen to him. His design can be seen at:

 

https://www.facebook.com/gcoffshoreterminal/?ref=br_rs

[SinbadThePorter]

I agree, Brisbane needs a port with better facilities that can cater for the bigger ships (that cannot get under the bridge) and the Gold coast just isn't a viable option.[/quote

 

thats not entirely true Mic there are offshore cruise ship terminals. True the ocean around the GC can be rough, but rock walls go into very rough ocean and they survive so why can't a well designed offshore terminal. The GC mayor has a not so good one in the design works, I think a guy Glenn who runs the GC offshore facebook page has a much better design after studying it for years and consulting with cruise companies. Pity the GC mayor is so arrogant and won't listen to him. His design can be seen at:

 

https://www.facebook.com/gcoffshoreterminal/?ref=br_rs

 

The GC Terminal would involve the construction of rock walls 1km from the beach into open ocean. This has never been done, for the very good reason that it is a stupid idea. There are no offshore cruise terminals in unprotected waters.

 

The closest you can come up with was Costa Maya in Mexico, which is a smaller structure protected by offshore reefs and islands. It is not in open ocean.

 

Is it the intention to rebuild the structure every time a cyclonic storm passes by?

 

This is a silly idea even before we get to the problems surrounding sand migration up the coast.

[The_Big_M]

Kiwi Kruzer (if your Kiwi why you would care about a proposed Australian port I don't know)

 

He's entitled to comment just as you are.

 

One could make the same argument against you - if you're from Newcastle why would you care about a proposed QLD port I don't know...

 

He could have just as much an interest as you. After all cruises go to other countries - and it's closer to go from here to NZ than it is to the other side of WA!

[Aus Traveller]

 

The GC Terminal would involve the construction of rock walls 1km from the beach into open ocean. This has never been done, for the very good reason that it is a stupid idea. There are no offshore cruise terminals in unprotected waters.

 

The closest you can come up with was Costa Maya in Mexico, which is a smaller structure protected by offshore reefs and islands. It is not in open ocean.

 

Is it the intention to rebuild the structure every time a cyclonic storm passes by?

 

This is a silly idea even before we get to the problems surrounding sand migration up the coast.

Agreed - my arguments made earlier. :) If they did build an off-shore facility, I wonder how often ships would not be able to use it because of big ocean swells.