QE2 gets down-at-heel temporary home

By AINSLEY THOMSON

Passengers on board the Queen Elizabeth 2 are used to travelling in style.

So it was something of a shock when the liner was forced to berth at the industrial Queens Wharf this week.

Visiting cruise ships usually berth at the overseas passenger terminal next to the Hilton Hotel on Princes Wharf.

But when the QE2 arrived in Auckland on Wednesday, the Pacific Sky already had the prime position.

So the QE2, on which passengers pay up to $900,000 for a 108-day world cruise, had no choice but to join freight ships at the far less glamorous Queens Wharf.

When the Pacific Sky left Auckland, her place was quickly taken by the Regal Princess, which arrived yesterday morning.

Ports of Auckland spokesman Will Harvey said the QE2 managers were aware before they arrived they would have to berth at Queens Wharf, and though they did not think it was ideal, they knew there was no alternative.

Mr Harvey said the overseas passenger terminal had enough room for only one ship and occasionally there was a clash when two were here at the same time.

This season cruise ships will make a total of 38 visits and four or five clashes are forecast.

"There is no need for another terminal," said Mr Harvey, "It would be hard to justify two terminals for only five occasions."

He said he had not heard of any complaints from passengers on the QE2, and he thought the visit had gone smoothly. A shuttle service had taken passengers from the ship to the wharf gates.

Both the cruise ships left Auckland at 6 last evening.