Royal couple, WILLIAM AND CATHERINE TOUCH DOWN IN SYDNEY for the first time

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive just in time to experience an Australian Christmas with Her Majesty, the Queen

Sydney, Thursday 19 December: Today, Madame Tussauds Sydney experienced a truly noble event. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine wax figures touched down in Sydney for the first time as husband and wife. William and Catherine are now alongside Her Majesty, the Queen in a Christmas-theme surrounding at Madame Tussauds Sydney where they will spend their first Australian Christmas together.

Dressed to perfection, Catherine is wearing one of her most iconic gowns – a replica of her gorgeous floor-length lace Alice Temperley evening dress. Catherine is elegantly accessorised with a black velvet clutch featuring an oversized bow by Mascaró that she donned for the London premier of “War Horse”. Not to be outdone, William is dressed in a beautiful custom-made tuxedo by his tailor Gieves & Hawkes, with matching gold cufflinks, black Oxford brogues  and a replica Omega Seamaster watch.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be bestowed this Royal visit. We have followed the Royal family very closely in the past, from their spectacular wedding in 2011 to the recent birth of Prince George so we welcome with joy the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wax figures to the Sydney attraction. They are one of the best-loved couples in the world and visitors now have the incredible opportunity to experience a truly royal visit,” commented Quinn Clarke, General Manager, Madame Tussauds Sydney.

The expertly crafted wax figures were created with extensive involvement and support from the Royal couple. Every stage of the creation process was shared with William and Catherine, reflecting the close, longstanding relationship between Madame Tussauds and the British Royal family. Each wax figure took over 800 hours and 60 Madame Tussauds artists to complete. Catherine’s trade mark loose-waves hairstyle took over six weeks alone to create as each hair was individually inserted by hand.

The William and Catherine wax figures will be in Sydney until 13 March 2014, where visitors will have the once-in-a-life-time chance to get up close to one of the most famous Royal couples before they continue on their world tour to Prague. 

Princess Mary and Prince Frederik wow Sydney & expresses heartbreak for NSW bushfire victims

AUSTRALIAN-born Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark will be staying in Sydney until October 28 and attending an array of events and ceremonies while they’re here.

The pair kicked off their visit with a stop off at the Sydney Opera House yesterday waving to crowds gathered at the iconic building's forecourt.

The couple have spoken of their grief for those caught up in the devastating NSW bushfires. "It's heartbreaking," Princess Mary told reporters in the crowd.

As they greeted schoolchildren on the steps of the Sydney Opera House this morning the pair expressed their concern for all those involved.

"We've been monitoring the situation for the past eight days from Denmark," she told reporters at the Opera House on its 40th anniversary.

"Our deepest sympathies go to those who have been affected ... Our utmost respect goes to those who are working to control these fires that are really scary."

She said that while bushfires were a part of Australian life, "it's always heartbreaking to see people who are losing possessions and homes".

Jorn Utzon's son, Jan, told reporters the links between Denmark and Australia were "wonderful" and that his father would be proud.

"I feel his spirit is here with us in the Opera House, the most important achievement for him in his life."
He said he would "happily" be back in 10 years' time for the House's 50th anniversary.

Alongside celebrations at Bennelong Point, the Danish Royals will also visit Government House, attend the opening of the Ole Lynggaard store, attend the Premier's Reading Challenge at Five Dock Primary School, open the Danish Design at the House exhibition and visit the Australian Twin Registry at the Sydney Children's Hospital.



The couple, who famously met at the Slip Inn pub during the 2000 Olympics - close to Metro Hotels on Darling Harbour, have four children: Prince Christian, Princess Isabella and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

They last visited Australia in 2011.

Sources:
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/princess-mary-and-prince-frederik-wow-sydney-opera-house-crowds-20131024-2w31y.html
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/princess-mary-and-prince-frederik-express-heartbreak-for-nsw-bushfire-victims/story-fni0b8dv-1226745816906

Denmark’s Crown Prince Couple Arrive in Sydney

On a stunning Sydney morning Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederick walked out onto the Sydney Opera House steps to wish “Happy Birthday” to the 40-year-old Australian icon.

The couple are patrons of the birthday celebrations, representing the perfect contemporary union of Denmark and Australia, a symbol for our union decades ago with Danish architect Jorn Utzon.

In the crowds is Jan Utzon, Jorn’s architect son, proud to be here to see his father’s work gleaming so brightly in the sunshine.

A throng of school children greet the Crown Princess who is the picture of elegance in a silver dress with blue floral designs and impressively towering Jimmy Choo heels.

The children are from class 5A of Redlands School. Ten-year-old Stephanie tells me she is incredibly excited to be here and has been practising her curtsey.

Her fellow classmate Carl Hansen is Danish and has been here in Sydney for four years. He’s the son of Danish Consul Michael Hansen and has met Crown Princess Mary before.

Carl is a huge fan of the Australian-born Crown Princess and thrilled to be able to share his special connection with his school friends.

Also in the crowd are retirees Shirley and Terry Perrott from Canberra. They’re in Sydney to see Lisa McCune and Teddy Tahu Rhodes South Pacific tonight but couldn’t resist the opportunity to see Crown Princess Mary face to face. And they weren’t disappointed.

As Mary walked along greeting the crowd she spied Shirley and shook her hand.

“She’s very beautiful” a thrilled Shirley tells me afterwards. “I won’t forget this day.”

As the couple left the throng of well-wishers many waving Danish fans, the crowd clapped and cheered.

This is the first stop on a four day tour which will see the Crown Prince Couple visiting a school, Randwick Children’s hospital, a wind farm, Danish designer shops, a clutch of events at the Sydney Opera House and later today meeting NSW Governor Marie Bashir at Government House.

Images - Taken by Prudence Upton

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Navy's International Fleet Review Will Be Biggest Sydney Party Since 2000 Olympic Games

SYDNEY will welcome more than 40 warships into the harbour and Prince Harry as the city and the Royal Australian Navy celebrate the International Fleet Review. 

On Friday, October 4 the entire city will come to a halt as a fleet of 40 warships from 20 different nations enter the harbour.

The current ship to carry the name Sydney, HMAS Sydney (IV), will lead the fleet through the heads.
In addition to the arrival of the ships, Imagination - the team behind the 2011 and 2012 New Year's eve events - will produce the Royal Australian Navy's International Fleet Review Spectacular on October 5.

The event, which is expected to be the biggest public display in Australia since the 2000 Olympics, will feature an extensive array of pyrotechnics, lights and projections that will light up the harbour and seven selected ships.

Heath Campanaro, director of Imagination and project manager, said the 30-minute event would utilise the decks of seven warships and vantage points around the harbour to simulate WWII in Sydney.

A spectacular fireworks show and mock war will light up the harbour.

"There will be 28 lighting positions in the city as well as seven warships on the harbour and we will have projections, a soundtrack and plenty of pyrotechnics," he said.

"The pyrotechnics are going to be the biggest thing of all and we have again asked Foti Fireworks to be involved because we have a great relationship with those guys."

Mr Campanaro said the Royal Australian Navy's International Fleet Review Spectacular would be unlike anything Sydney had ever experienced before.

"There are going to be so many layers happening at the same time when we put this on," he said.

Warships will be used to mount an amazing harbour light show.

"We are creating scenes that replicate WWII where we will feel like Sydney is under attack. We will have choppers flying over and sailors will be doing activities on deck. There will be lots of lighting, lots of action and the whole thing will be amazing."

* For more information on the International Fleet Review, visit: navy.gov.au/ifr

Prince Harry to Visit Australia

Britain's Prince Harry makes a speech at the Friends of the Forces Awards in London on July 13, 2010. The royal will visit Australia next month for events in Sydney marking the Royal Australian Navy's centenary of service, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said. (AFP/File) 

Britain's Prince Harry will visit Australia next month for events in Sydney marking the Royal Australian Navy's centenary of service, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Monday.

"Whilst Prince Harry visited Australia privately in his gap year in 2003, this will be his first official visit to Australia," Abbott said in a statement.

"During his visit next month, Prince Harry will attend the International Fleet Review in Sydney to mark the centenary of the first entry of the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet into Sydney."

Abbott said Australians had great warmth towards members of the royal family and Prince Harry, the fourth in line to the British throne, would be an "honoured visitor".

"As a member of the armed forces, Prince Harry has continued a long tradition of duty and service," he said.
"His work and advocacy for numerous charitable organisations has also been an important focus of his public life."

The Royal Australian Navy will commemorate the arrival of its first fleet 100 years ago into Sydney Harbour with a spectacular International Fleet Review from October 3. Some 54 international warships and 17 tall ships will take part.

The British royals are generally popular in Australia. The country rejected the opportunity to cut ties to the monarchy in a 1999 referendum, with just over 45 percent of voters saying "yes" to a republic.

Prince Harry's Hats-off Three Cheers Salute in Sydney Harbour Naval Extravaganza

PRINCE Harry - the playboy royal and fourth in line to the British throne - is expected to receive a hats-off three cheers royal salute from thousands of sailors on Sydney Harbour next month.

It is understood Harry will be accompanied by Governor-general Quentin Bryce when he takes the royal salute by sailing past some 40 warships on board a royal barge or another navy boat.

According to well-placed sources the prince is odds-on to be guest of honour at the Royal Australian Navy's centenary celebrations, however no official announcement will be made until a week before the gala event on Sydney Harbour between October 3 and 10.

"It is highly likely that Harry will be in Sydney although no details have been firmed up,'' a source said.

The International Fleet Review will mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival in Sydney of the brand new seven-ship Royal Australian Navy fleet led by the flagship HMAS Australia in October 1913.

The centenary will be officially celebrated on October 5 with a royal review by the prince of 21 RAN vessels and 19 overseas warships as well as 16 tall ships that will sail into the harbour on October 3.

Each warship will formally salute the HMAS Sydney memorial on Bradleys Head as they enter the harbour on October 4.

Prince Harry stands in front of an Apache Helicopter a few days after the royal, a trainee Apache helicopter pilot, passed the half-decade milestone to become a captain. Source: Getty Images

The review will also feature fly-pasts by 37 types of military and civilian aircraft ranging from helicopters to Hornet jet fighters.

Palace sources remain tight-lipped about any trip to Australia.

A spokesman for Kensington Palace, Prince Harry's official mouthpiece, said it simply was not currently in a position to comment.

"Announcements of overseas visits by members of the Royal Family are made in due course after an official invitation is received,'' the spokesman said.

Prince Harry visits The Royal Marines Tamar on August 2, 2013. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

On the question of whether his current girlfriend Cressida Bonas was also planning to visit Sydney at the same time, the spokesman said that was a matter for her, but there were no plans for her to accompany Prince Harry on any trip whether domestic or overseas.

Royal commentators scoffed at rumours that a royal would ever take a girlfriend on an overseas trip, as completely contrary to all protocols for any official royal or government official.

The centrepiece of the International Fleet review will be a fireworks and light show spectacular focused on the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House on the evening of Saturday October 5.

For the first time Australia's fireworks capital will see pyrotechnics launched from the decks of navy warships.

A fleet of eight tall ships took sail on Port Phillip Bay participating in events leading up to International Fleet Day in Sydney next month. Source: News Limited

This will signal the start of the biggest party seen in Sydney since the Bicentenary with 8000 cashed up sailors and tens of thousands of revellers set to spend up to $100 million during the week-long celebration that will cost taxpayers about $6 million to stage.

A projection show will be seen on both sides of the Opera House sails, the eastern side of the Harbour Bridge pylons and the roof of the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour.

Britain's Prince Harry. Picture: Source: AP

Prince Harry or Captain Wales, 30, is a British Army helicopter pilot and Afghanistan war veteran and has visited Australia once before - in 2003, when he spent most of his time working on a Queensland sheep station.

The NSW Government has been lobbying hard for his possible visit to be turned into a full-blown Royal tour, but that is unlikely given his heavy work commitments.

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Princess Package at Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour

Metro Apartments Darling Harbour is rolling out the red carpet when Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik arrive in Sydney to officially launch the Opera House’s 40th birthday celebrations on October 20.  

In celebration of the anniversary, the City of Sydney is planning a week of events that will culminate in a Gala Birthday Concert on October 27 with performances by Sydney Symphony, Sydney Philarmonia Choirs and Opera Australia.

Located opposite the Slip Inn where the couple first met, Metro Apartments Darling Harbour has released a special Princess Package at $229.00 per night (Sunday – Thursday) and $349.00 per night (Friday – Saturday), giving both international and local visitors to Sydney the opportunity to be pampered like royalty:

Princess Package

• One night’s accommodation in a one bedroom Executive Apartment with stunning views of Darling Harbour and floor to ceiling cathedral windows overlooking Darling Harbour
• Complimentary sparkling wine and chocolates
• Noon checkout
• Minimum 2 night stay
• Valid until October 31, 2013

Book this Princess Package at Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour 

With 32 recently renovated loft-style one-bedroom apartments, each with a queen sized bed and sofa bed, Metro Apartments Darling Harbour offer all the comforts of home with the convenience of a perfect city location. 

Located in two separate buildings in Sussex and King Streets, guests can choose from the larger, contemporary-styled Sussex St apartments with views over Darling Harbour or a New York styled King Street apartment with access to rooftop pool.

All apartments have full kitchen and laundry facilities, spacious living rooms with cathedral windows and bedroom. They are designed as a home away from home where guests can relax at the end of a long day’s sightseeing, or just have a break before venturing out again to explore more of one of the world’s most famous and beautiful cities. Discount parking is provided at the nearby Kings Parking on Sussex Street.

View this press release and more at Metro Hotels Press Releases

Special Princess Package to welcome Danish Royals

Media Release

September 2, 2013

Special Princess Package to welcome Danish Royals

Metro Apartments Darling Harbour is rolling out the red carpet when Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik arrive in Sydney to officially launch the Opera House’s 40^th birthday celebrations on October 20. 

In celebration of the anniversary, the City of Sydney is planning a week of events that will culminate in a Gala Birthday Concert on October 27 with performances by Sydney Symphony, Sydney Philarmonia Choirs and Opera Australia.

Located opposite the Slip Inn where the couple first met, Metro Apartments Darling Harbour 

has released a special Princess Package at $229 per night (Sunday – Thursday) and $349 per night (Friday – Saturday), giving both international and local visitors to Sydney the opportunity to be pampered like royalty:

Princess Package

§     One night’s accommodation in a one bedroom Executive Apartment with stunning views of Darling Harbour and floor to ceiling cathedral windows overlooking Darling Harbour

§     Complimentary sparkling wine and chocolates

§     Noon checkout

§     Minimum 2 night stay

§     Valid until October 31, 2013

With 32 recently renovated loft-style one-bedroom apartments, each with a queen sized bed and sofa bed, Metro Apartments Darling Harbour offer all the comforts of home with the convenience of a perfect city location.

Located in two separate buildings in Sussex and King Streets, guests can choose from the larger, contemporary-styled Sussex St apartments with views over Darling Harbour or a New York styled King Street apartment with access to rooftop pool.

All apartments have full kitchen and laundry facilities, spacious living rooms with cathedral windows and bedroom. They are designed as a home away from home where guests can relax at the end of a long day’s sightseeing, or just have a break before venturing out again to explore more of one of the world’s most famous and beautiful cities. Discount parking is provided at the nearby Kings Parking on Sussex Street.

Book the Princess Package at Metro Apartments Darling Harbour by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321. Alternately, bookings can be made online at www.metrohotels.com.au. 

Metro Hotels is the public face of Transmetro Corporation, an Australian owned public company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. The Group currently provides a national accommodation network of properties, with over 1000 rooms in key locations and major cities across Australia.

The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Tour

The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, famed for their precision marching and musical versatility, will perform a concert featuring military classics to jazz and big band favourites. This concert will display the outstanding versatility of some of the world’s finest military musicians.

There really is something for everyone as the Royal Marines display their incredible musicianship and pageantry.  A wide range of musical styles includes music from the big screen and superb solo items. This concert would not be complete without the famous traditional marches and overtures that have proved such a hit with audiences over the years with the Royal Marines’ exceptional display of precision and skill.

The 90 minute performance is a testimony to the professionalism of the world’s finest military bands, proudly demonstrating talents acquired over many years of practice and experience both in the classroom and on the parade square.

When: Monday 9 October 2013
Where: Capitol Theatre Sydney - 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket NSW 2000 Australia
Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/Band-of-Her-Majestys-Royal-Marines-tickets/artist/1191547

Staying in SYDNEY for The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines?

Need a hotel room close to Capitol Theatre Sydney?

Look no further than Metro Hotel Sydney Central - RIGHT next to the Capitol Theatre Sydney whilst being close to other iconic Sydney attractions. 

Website: Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is offering this Capitol Theatre Hotel Package

For $165.00 per room per night you get:

• One night's accommodation in a Superior Queen Room
• Hot Buffet Breakfast for 2 adults
• Extended check-out to 12 noon the following day

• Book Online and Terms here: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/242
• Or call: 02 9281 6999

Want to try another hotel? Metro Hotel on Pitt, only a 10 minute walk to Capitol Theatre.

Website: Metro Hotel on Pitt

Metro Hotel on Pitt is offering this Winter Sydney CBD Getaway Hotel Package

For $134.00 per room per night you get:

• Free WiFi
• A bottle of wine on arrival
• Late check out of 12 noon
• Staying in a Standard\Single\double\twin room*

• Book Online and Terms here: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/306
• Or call: 02 9283 8088

Other Metro Hotels and Apartments:

• Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour (the closest train station is Wynyard)
• Aspire Hotel Sydney Ultimo (13 minutes walk to Central station)

Cruise Sydney: NNS Thunder Heads To Australia For International Fleet Review

Nigeria’s NNS Thunder has left the city of Calabar to represent Africa for the Royal Australian Navy’s International Fleet Review (IFR) slated for 3rd to the 11th of October this year in Sydney, Australia.

Joining about  Fifty other countries of the world including Russia and America and South Africa being the second African country to represent the continent, the international event is to be reviewed by the queen of England to mark the 200 years battle of Trafalgar.

The Flag officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu disclosed this at the Nigerian Port Authority NPA jetty in Calabar, Cross River State Capital been venue for the take-off point of the NNS thunder ship conveying forty officers and 140 ratings of Nigerian Navy participating.

According to the Rear Admiral the voyage to Sidney is a friendly and diplomatic expedition urging the crew to see the mission as a training program meant to enhance the Navy’s proficiency.

NNS THUNDER will be making outbound port calls at Luanda, Cape Town, Port Louis, Freemantle and Sydney and on the in-bound leg visit Melbourne, Albany, Port Des Galet, Durban, Walvis Bay and Pointe Noire.

The officers on board are expected to be back to the country within the next four to five months.

Prince George May Visit Australia Next Year as Prince William Says Royal Baby Is 'Loud But Good-Looking'

Prince William Says the New Family will be Visiting Australia Next Year

While mingling with the crowd at Anglesey county fair, William told visiting Australian couple Max and Maxine Davies, from Victor Harbor, south of Adelaide, that the new family hope to travel to Australia soon.

"George is doing really well, thank you,” he said, according to UK media reports. "We are all very hopefully coming to Australia next year."

The couple’s son, Mark Davies, said it was his mother’s second brush with royalty.

“She actually met Prince Charles, I think it was back in 1969. It was while she was on another holiday over in the UK.”

“It’s all pretty exciting, especially for mum who’s a fanatical royalist.”

Mr Davies said his parents, retired farmers who moved from Naracoorte to Victor Harbor in 2004, were about a week into a two-month trip of Britain and Europe that included visiting family near Manchester, a trip to Spain and a Mediterranean cruise.

“I haven’t heard from them just yet, but I imagine they’re just as thrilled about it as everyone over here seems to be,” the Naracoorte resident said.

Victor Harbor Bowling Club member Bill Aldridge, who plays with Max Davies, hopes his fellow player’s conversation with Prince William was enough to convince him to visit Victor Harbor while in Australia.

“We’d love him to come down to our new bowling green,” he said.

“It would definitely lift the spirits in Victor Harbor and create a bit of a buzz having royalty around, although I know the chances are pretty slim.”

The trip would echo Prince William’s trip to Australia as a baby with Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1983, when he was less than a year old.

William also opened up on parenthood, telling the crowd that baby Prince George is "loud but good looking".

"Catherine in sorry that she cannot be here today at the County Show," William said in his speech, before chatting with locals, inspecting livestock and participating in a falconry display.

Book Now to Enjoy the Biggest Naval Event on Sydney Harbour this Century

The biggest naval event on Sydney Harbour this century will take place from October 3-11, 2013 and Sydneysiders, regional NSW residents and interstate visitors are advised to book accommodation early to avoid missing out.

The Royal Australian Navy is celebrating 100 years since the first RAN ships sailed into Sydney Harbour to great fanfare in 1913 – and it has asked 50 nations to join the party. Called the International Fleet Review (IFR), the celebrations will see 40 warships and 20 tall ships from around the world sail into Sydney Harbour for a week-long celebration.

Commencing on Thursday 3 October 2013 and concluding eight days later, the IFR will be a harbour spectacular no Australian will want to miss. Her Excellency the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce will welcome the fleet from Bradley’s Head on October 4, and officially review the fleet onboard HMAS Leeuwin on October 5 as part of the Ceremonial Fleet Review.

With the world heritage backdrop of Sydney Harbour setting the scene, the Royal Australian Navy band will perform while fixed and rotary wing aircraft fly past in formation overhead. Military demonstrations will be held, the official ceremony will be staged on the steps of the Opera House, and the event will conclude with a fireworks display fit for the occasion.

Other activities being planned include a combined naval march through the Sydney CBD, ships open to the public, inter-navy sporting competitions and a range of community and cultural events.

Whether you’re a navy buff or just keen not to miss the amazing pageantry of this historic event, now is the time to book your accommodation in Sydney to be sure you make the most of the week-long celebrations – and Metro Hotels has a number of properties from which to choose.

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is the group’s flagship property located on the corner of Pitt and Hay Streets in the heart of Sydney’s entertainment precinct. Having recently completed a two year refurbishment, the hotel now offers 220 fully-refurbished Superior and Deluxe rooms, all priced affordably.

Metro Hotel on Pitt is a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, within easy walking distance of Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, The Rocks, Pitt Street Mall, Queen Victoria Building, Hyde Park and Chinatown, while Metro Apartments Darling Harbour provides easy access to the popular harbour restaurant precinct of King Street Wharf and Cockle Bay, as well as IMAX, Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife World and Australian Maritime Museum and Star Casino.

For those looking for something a little quieter and out of the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Aspire Hotel Sydney in Ultimo is just a short stroll to Darling Harbour, the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and Sydney Entertainment Centre.

International Fleet Review - Sydney Australia 3-11 October 2013

Don't Miss the Nation's Most Significant Commemorative Naval Event in the Past 100 Years

International Fleet Review - Sydney 2013

- See more at: http://cruisesydney.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/international-fleet-review-sydney.html#sthash.3IJnz6No.dpuf

White Bay Cruise Terminal

White Bay Cruise Terminal

ADDRESS: White Bay Cruise Terminal Access via James Craig Road, Rozelle

GETTING THERE: Entry to the terminal is off James Craig Road, Rozelle.

Passenger set down and pick up is available in the terminal precinct and short-term parking for those passengers with a valid itinerary is available on-site.

The nearest public bus stop for passengers is located on Robert Street (as shown on map).

ARRIVING AND DEPARTING

Arriving passengers will need to reclaim their luggage and then clear customs and immigration before exiting the terminal. Once you have exited the terminal there is a designated pick up bay for private vehicles and access to short-term car parking that will assist you in exiting the precinct or you can catch a taxi at the on-site taxi rank. A public bus stop is accessible from Robert Street.

Departing passengers should refer to their itinerary regarding what time they need to be present at the terminal for check-in as times do vary.

Bag drop facilities are available for the majority of ships from 9.00am. Check with your booking agent if you need to utilise this facility.

The terminal is open to those people farewelling travelling passengers.

TERMINAL FACILITIES - Terminal facilities include:

1.Toilets

2.A food and beverage kiosk

3.Wheelchair access

4.On-site short-term parking.

5.Public payphones

6.ATM

There is no foreign exchange or post office on-site and passengers should also be aware that there is no Duty Free available for purchase in the terminal.

 All further queries regarding your trip should be directed to your booking agent.

CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION

International cruise voyage – all passengers departing on an international cruise voyage need to complete an outbound passenger card as well as a health card questionnaire. Both documents will be made available to you once inside the terminal.

Domestic cruise voyage – all passengers departing on a domestic cruise voyage need to complete a health questionnaire card which will be made available to you once inside the terminal. There is no requirement to complete an outbound passenger card.

TOURIST REFUND SCHEME (TRS)

A TRS desk is available in both terminals on international cruises. TRS enables you to claim a refund for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) that you paid on goods you have purchased in Australia. You can claim the TRS from Customs at embarkation after you have checked in.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

Both the Overseas Passenger Terminal and the White Bay Cruise Terminal have wheelchair accessibility to the terminal and to the ship.

THINGS TO BRING

1. International Cruise – individual passport with a validity of at least six months.

2. Domestic Cruise – Government agency issued Photo ID.

3. Your booking itinerary is required for all cruises.

4. If you take regular medication ensure that you have sufficient supplies to last the length of your holiday. It is also wise to consider taking a couple of days extra supply in case of unforeseen changes in your plans.

WHAT NOT TO BRING

You are NOT permitted to bring any alcohol onboard for personal consumption.

Duty-free, tax-free and personal alcohol purchased onshore must be surrendered by passengers at embarkation or prior to boarding at any port.

USEFUL LINKS

NSW Transport Information http://www.131500.com.au/

Destination NSW http://www.visitnsw.com/ Metro Apartments Darling Harbour

http://www.metrohotels.com.au/doc/metro-apartments-darling-harbour-factsheet.pdf

Put in the CRUISE code word and Get 10% off the Best Available Rate - See more at: http://cruisesydney.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/white-bay-cruise-terminal.html#sthash.s88afNkB.dpuf

Carnival Legend 2014 Sydney Arrival To Be ... Legendary

Carnival Legend

Carnival Legend, Carnival Spirit’s sister ship will be arriving in Sydney next year from the East Coast of the USA, with described by Carnival as custom built to create history making holidays, and paying tribute to some of the world’s greatest legends throughout the ages.

Carnival says that guest can take a dip in the Camelot and Avalon pools, wish for magic at Club Merlin Casino and taste iconic flavours at Truffles Restaurant, while music lovers can head for Satchmo’s Lounge and Billie’s Piano Bar, then dance the night away at Medusa’s Lair Dance Club.

Onboard features include a wide range of bars, dining choices and a variety of fun outdoor activities including the iconic Water Park and Green Thunder Waterslide, as well as indoor and relaxation options and exciting entertainment. 

Carnival Legend will sail from the East Coast of America mid-August 2014 arriving in Sydney on 22 September 2014, with itineraries on offer including a 13 day cruise from Tampa to Los Angeles sailing through the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Mexico departing on 17 August 2014 and a 23 day cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney sailing through Tahiti, Fiji and Noumea departing on 30 August 2014.

Travel the World is also offering Carnival Legend guests the opportunity to combine the two itineraries for a legendary 36 day cruise experience sailing from Tampa to Sydney through Mexico, Tahiti, Fiji and Noumea.

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Congratulations To Kate Middleton & Prince William

It's a BOY!

Congratulations to the Prince William and Kate, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their new arrival. The Duchess and her husband gave the world the first glimpses of the future King of England this morning as Kate and William emerged with their baby Prince (the third in line to the throne) from Mary's Hospital's Lindo Wing.

When asked who the baby looks like, William said, "He's got her looks thankfully." To which Kate gushed, "No, no, no."

William added: "He's a big boy, he's quite heavy" and laughed when a reporter asked him about the baby's hair.

"He's got way more than me, thank God," he said.