Sydney Seeks to Eliminate Cruise Ship Overcrowding

PHOTO: Sydney Harbor with the iconic Opera House. (photo via Flickr/Corey Leopold) 

Sydney Harbour is increasingly finding it difficult to cope with the number of cruise ships that are looking to call in its port, and authorities are looking for a solution to the problem, according to a report in Escape. 

“A controversial solution proposed recently by authorities was to allow two cruise ships per day to berth one after the other at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal to double the number of ships and high-spending passengers visiting the city,” notes the article. 

However, “double stacking,” as it’s known, is not popular and officials are seeking alternative ways to solve the problem, looking to the Garden Island naval base. 

“This is an opportunity that shouldn’t be ignored to put cruise industry growth and its increasing economic contribution on a firm footing for the future,” Ann Sherry, executive chairman of Carnival Australia, tells Escape. 

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This solution may not be feasible, however, warns the Defence Force. 

“It remains a crucial defense base and an extremely busy working facility,’’ a spokesperson tells Escape. “Availability of Garden Island berths for cruise ship access is very limited and this will be further exacerbated when significant remediation works occur at Garden Island in coming years to keep pace with the introduction of new capabilities for the navy.”

So how will Sydney solve its overcrowding problems? Read on here for more analysis.