The closure, which was flagged earlier this year, has upset the plans of several cruise lines intending to include Portside in their itineraries for the 2022-23 cruise season.

However, Portside’s operators, the Brookfield Group, have opted to cease cruise operations as part of a $20 million makeover of the struggling residential and retail precinct.

Brookfield Residential Properties’ managing director, Lee Butterworth, said ending the docking of cruise ships would “pave the way for a new vision for Portside Wharf – including opening the precinct up to greater dining, community events and experiences”.

The 16-year-old precinct, with several restaurants, cafes and a cinema, suffered during the pandemic but Brookfield aims to restore its reputation as a dining and lifestyle destination.

However, the cruise industry criticised the move, saying it would disrupt thousands of passengers. Trade media are reporting that cruise companies Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Viking have had to cancel bookings as a result.

The Cruise Lines International Association, Australasia, said the decision was unexpected, particularly when the Queensland tourism industry was working hard to rebuild the state’s visitor economy.

“Cruise operations are generally scheduled many months or years ahead, and certainty around port access is essential for successful cruise visitation,” the group said in a statement.

“Any last-minute changes to itineraries will cause disruption to thousands of guests and adversely affect the cruise industry as it strives to restore Australia’s cruise economy.”

It’s understood the new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal at Pinkenba has extra berth capacity to take on more ships.

Since it opened in 2006, the Portside terminal had hosted more than 1250 cruise ship, military and other vessel visits.