Victoria Port Fee Hike Turns Cruise Line Away

A 15 percent increase for port fees in Victoria will see two Carnival Cruise ships forced to dock elsewhere. The Princess Cruises and Cunard ships will be unable to board passengers from historical Station Pier, Melbourne, from the beginning of 2025 according to the Victorian cruise schedule. Chief strategy officer of Carnival Australia, Teresa Lloyd, said the increase of port fees were “unexpected and significant.” Ms. Lloyd added that while she appreciated the “maintenance of ports” but the “15 percent increase without notice was unreasonable.” One in 17 Australians currently take a cruise every year. This number is expected to drop due to the absence of the Princess Cruise line at the Victorian port....