(Disembarked/Embarked 12/18/24 WE @ 8:00am/6:00pm): No particular cruise terminal name on record as you arrived at Pennington Bay via water shuttle!
A friend and I were on Day 5 of our 12-Day Southern Australia Explorer cruise with Princess Cruises https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=QROVmppb8toYD0v-C7bi0w when we took a water shuttle into Pennington Bay before we disembarked for our second official port day - Kangaroo Island! Although this was my first time here, I was slightly surprised by the lack of a true port area or terminal. However, there appeared to be a real initiative to build up the port with hopes of attracting more tourist traffic and general commerce. Having said that, how was our experience with this entry way into Pennington Bay for our arrival onto Kangaroo Island!?
PURCHASE
There was nothing in sight to try and spend your money on even if you wanted to - 'nuff said.
SERVICE
The friendly cluster of staffers who greeted us at the pier were helpful as they directed us where to go to meet our tour buses. Upon our return, the outside port security guards were straight business and ushered us in while the Princess Cruises staff were wonderful as always. From start to finish, everyone we came in contact with was awesome - thank you!
PARKING (FREE)
I honestly didn't notice any onsite parking anywhere. Instead, at the end of the walkway from the water shuttle, there was a passenger drop-off/pick-up location just past the security gates. Beyond this area, it was the road that took you away and elsewhere - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A rather make-shift boat pier with the basic elements needed to be able to accept a water vessel, offload its passengers onto a stable pathway fortified by sheltering rock walls where you eventually ended up at the end of the path to a wider opening to randomly queue for a tour bus that whisked you away for some adventures. There was a structure possibly as an office or supplies that offered minimal shelter from the elements should you need it. Plenty of natural lighting since you were outdoors while I didn't see any lights to fill in the rest. There weren't any TVs nor background music.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
The lack of an actual cruise pier/terminal in Pennington Bay left little to be desired. I've taken many water shuttles into ports throughout my cruising life, and this was one if not the most sparse example to date. Again, there seemed to be an initiative brewing to make this a more major port, so hopefully that would happen in the near future. Otherwise, we arrived and left safely. Aesthetic-wise, your excitement was when your tour bus took you away from the area. I found good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00AUD / 04.00USD BEFORE any discounts/tip). And, although they accepted credit cards, not mine of choice... AMEX! 3.0 STARS read more