More and bigger Queens than you can poke a stick at.
Carnival Australia Vice President of Marketing and Planning, Mark Barnes says that the arrival of “The Queens” in Sydney will have a massive economic impact, probably never seen before in a city very used to the arrival of the world’s leading cruise liners, but previously never two at the same time!
Estimated to drop $3 million into Sydney’s shops, bars, restaurants and tour operators for their visit, Cunard’s luxurious and brand new Queen Mary 2 [pictured arriving under another iconic landmark, San Fransisco’s Golden Gate Bridge yesterday] and the grand old lady of the oceans and regular Sydney visitor, Queen Elizabeth 2 will both be in Sydney on February 20, with massive celebrations planned.
6500 passengers and crew will hit Sydney’s streets for the visit with Sydney enjoying a cruise boom, because not only will “The Queens” be here, but also the gorgeous Silver Cloud and the European classic ship Van Gogh.
With each passenger expected to spend about $1000 during the stay, Mark Barnes added, “Never before has Sydney seen so many cruise passengers on the one day”, adding, “Not only that, about 1000 QM2 passengers will joining and leaving in Sydney and that will mean they will be here for three or four nights before and after the ships’ arrival.”
Outgoing at the forthcoming Sate election NSW Tourism Minister Sandra Nori, echoed Mark’s views by describing passengers from the ships as “often up-market – with the potential to spend big”, adding, “It’s a great boost for the economies of Sydney and NSW, as passengers and crew spend on accommodation, entertainment and having fun in our great city”.
“The NSW Government is expecting 40,000 cruise passengers to visit Sydney this season, generating $38 million in tourist spending, of which the QE2 and the QM2 will contribute a great part.”
The visit is QM2’s first to Australia, creating quite a spectacle as the largest moving object ever to visit Sydney, the massive liner, stretching the length of almost four football fields and able to carry 4340 passengers and crew, so watch out any small boats in the harbour that day!
As part of an eighty day global cruise as the world’s swiftest liner and what is reckoned to be the fastest world cruise, the 151,000-tonne QM2 [pictured recently in Fort Lauderdale with the QE2] is too big for Circular Quay and can’t get under the Harbour Bridge, therefore unfortunately will be relegated to the more industrial Garden Island facility, arriving about sunrise on the 20th, while her more mature sister, the classic QE2 will arrive in the afternoon, berthing at Circular Quay for the 25th time, with both ships in the world most famous Sydney Harbour celebrating their historic meeting with fireworks that evening………… a must see event!
The Mole will be there to witness a once in a lifetime event that took place more than 65 years ago when Australia last welcomed the original “Queens”.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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