Royal Caribbean executives are going to meet with the Australian transport minister this week to discuss a list of improvements to Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal that the company would like to see happen.
Starting July 1, a new $20 per passenger fee will come into effect and Royal Caribbean wants the new revenue to be used to upgrade the cruise facilities.
The new fee is expected to generate $10 million in the first year.
Royal Caribbean regional vice president Gavin Smith commented, "We are asking for a relationship between that fee and infrastructural improvement. We are maintaining our dialogue with the minister about OPT. We are looking for a responsible investment that helps defray our costs.”
Smith said he was "very hopeful" of a favorable outcome to the negotiations.
Royal Caribbean has a list of improvements to the cruise terminal they would like to see, including additional seating in the upper level of the terminal, an expanded shelter for baggage handling (Royal Caribbean currently has a canopy at its own expense), a restroom block to replace existing temporary facilities, upgraded escalators and better air conditioning.
