February, 2009

Grand Turk Cruise Center Projects 500,000 Visits This Year

The Grand Turk Cruise Center in the Turks and Caicos is expecting 229 ship calls amounting 500,000 passengers this year. The Caribbean island-based Grand Turk Cruise Center, operated by Carnival Corp & PLC, is on track to host a record 500,000 passengers in the coming year. The unprecedented half-million passenger mark is a 25% increase over 2008, during which the center was closed for 30 days following Hurricane Ike.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center, which opened in 2006, has become one of the cruise industry’s most popular Caribbean cruise destinations.  The $60 million, 13-acre complex features an 800-foot-long private beach, swimming pool and FlowRider attraction, which offers body boarding and stand-up board surfing, in addition to multiple retail outlets.    The FlowRider, which was not damaged, will re-open pending the status of power supply on the island.  The cruise center’s lush landscaping, much of which was lost as a result of the storm, will be replaced on a gradual basis over the next several months.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center serves as a gateway to the pristine island of Grand Turk, which is world-renowned as a diving and snorkeling jewel, and also features magnificent beaches, striking aqua-blue waters, and a variety of fishing and watersports activities.

Most of the visits to the cruise center are made by Carnival Corp’s cruise lines--Holland America, Princess and Carnival. In addition, Costa,  Silversea, Oceania Cruises, Crystal and Regent Seven Seas also have stops scheduled here in 2009.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center, which can accommodate up to 6,000 passengers per day, consists of a 13-acre complex including an 800-foot-long private beach, swimming pool, expansive recreation area with a diversity of retail shops, FlowRider® surfing adventure and the Caribbean's largest "Margaritaville"-themed bar and restaurant.

For more information about the island, the Grand Turk Cruise Center, as well as the 2009 cruise ship schedule, shore excursion offerings, visit www.grandturkcc.com.

New Giant Wall Shapes Cruise Terminal 18 At Port Everglades

Construction workers building the world's largest single-ship cruise terminal have hoisted into place one of the world's largest tilt wall sections - a 324,000-pound concrete section

that will serve as the main entrance for Cruise Terminal 18 at Port Everglades. The 45-foot wide and 57.6-foot tall wall section, which is shaped with a louver to provide an overhang for guests and natural lighting inside the building, was lifted from its mold by two cranes moving in unison - slowly and carefully. The tilt panels are formed and cast on site. At 162 tons, the wall section weighs as much as 31 adult male African elephants (of average weight) or one Boeing 747.

Florida-based Tilt-Con Corporation constructed the wall section, which is estimated to be the second heaviest tilt wall in the world. The fifth heaviest tilt wall, at 300,000 pounds, is also a section of Cruise Terminal 18.

The expansion and renovation of Cruise Terminal 18 is the centerpiece of preparations underway at Port Everglades for the arrival of Royal Caribbean International's 5,400-passenger Oasis-class ships, which will be the largest cruise ships in the world. When completed in November 2009, Cruise Terminal 18 will be expanded from 67,500 square feet to a total of 240,000 square feet, which will make it the largest cruise terminal in the world built to serve a single ship.

Broward County's Port Everglades is poised to become the world's top cruise port by 2011 with Royal Caribbean International homeporting its two new 5,400-passenger Oasis-class vessels at the Port, which is located in the Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, Florida area, just 20 miles north of Miami. Each Oasis-class ship is projected to generate approximately 584,000 passenger movements annually at Port Everglades. The first of the 220,000-gross-registered-ton ships, Oasis of the Seas, is scheduled to begin sailing year-round from Port Everglades this fall, with the second sister-ship, Allure of the Seas, beginning year-round sailings one year later.

Port Everglades is a major cruise capital with more than 3 million passengers annually and more homeported cruise ships than any cruise port worldwide. Fourteen cruise lines sail from the South Florida seaport including: Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Discovery Cruises, Holland America Line, Imperial Majesty Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, The Yachts of Seabourn, and Silversea Cruises.

The Port's ever-expanding fleet of cruise ships provides guests with an array of cruise vacation choices from the sunny Greater Fort Lauderdale area including everything from sampler-size day cruises to around-the-world cruises. Details on the latest cruise offerings are available on the Internet at www.broward.org/port .

New Upgrade For Boston’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal

Boston’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal is scheduled for a major upgrade to brighten the facility’s overall appearance and enhance the passenger experience, according to news reports. The work is expected to include replacing and renovating existing finishes, painting the interior and exterior with a white on gray palette, new ceilings, flooring and carpeting, and colorful graphics that showcase Boston as a destination.

Additional planned improvements are the expansion of the mezzanine area for passenger check-in, new light fixtures, way finding signage, and the possible construction of additional public restrooms and a passenger elevator at the east end of the terminal.

Construction is scheduled to begin this spring and be completed by the end of the year.

Seattle's New Cruise Passenger Terminal To Open At Smith Cove               

Port of Seattle Commissioners voted this week to name Seattle’s new cruise facility being constructed on Pier 91 Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. The new two-story, 143,000 square foot building has expansive views of Puget Sound, Mt Rainier and the Olympic Mountains.

The new terminal opens April 24, 2009 when Holland America Line’s ms Amsterdam sails into Puget Sound signaling the beginning of the 2009 cruise season. The new terminal provides two, 1200 foot berths both equipped with shore power facilities--eliminating the need for vessels to run their diesel engines while at dock and creating a significant savings in fuel costs, plus the environmental benefit of no air emissions. The new terminal will serve as homeport for Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.

The cruise industry has a major impact on the local economy. In 2008, its annual business revenue totaled $274 million, producing 2,380 jobs and $8 million in annual state and local taxes. Each time a homeport cruise ship docks in Seattle the activity related to the visit contributes about $1.7 million in area commerce. In 2008, Seattle hosted 210 vessels and a record-setting 886,039 passengers that moved Seattle to the top spot for Alaska cruises.

The Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 will continue to serve Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

This new facility includes a mechanized passenger gangway systems providing comfortable passenger access from the second floor ticketing level, along with crew services.

Seattle continues to offer convenience and value to cruise passengers with two downtown cruise terminals, and convenient air travel connections at nearby Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.  It is estimated that 211 cruise ships will dock in Seattle this year offering 7-day and 14-day Alaska itineraries, plus 3 and 4-day cruises to beautiful British Columbia. Website: www.portseattle.org

Cruise Port Of Le Havre Reports A Good Year

With 59 calls, the leading French cruise port Le Havre on the Channel reported that 2008 was satisfactory. Some 78,000 passengers were recorded of which half were Americans and 43 percent Europeans, mostly from the UK and Germany. 2009 looks forward to an increase in turnaround cruises with new terminal amenities being added to accommodate passengers. Many ships - such as AIDALuna, Tahitian Princess, Emerald Princess, Costa Luminosa, Celebrity Equinox, Prinsendam, Eurodam, Vision of the Seas and Independence of the Seas - will be visiting, and Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 calling in April. More information at the multilingual website: www.lehavretourisme.com

 

January, 2009

Istanbul To Create More Docking Space For Cruise Ships

According to press reports, Istanbul maritime authorities and preparing three wharfs in the Turkish city to accommodate cruise ships. The project is an attempt by Turkish authorities to boost cruise tourism. Currently, Turkey is No. 4 in rank in Mediterranean cruising after Spain, Italy and Greece respectively. In recent years, the number of cruise ships visiting Istanbul has risen 15-to-20 percent annually.

Presently, the docks at Salpazar and Karakoy are used for cruise ships, and officials from the Turkish Maritime Enterprises Corp. say they are considering devoting the docks at Kurucesme, Haydarpasa and Sarayburnu to cruise ships as well. "Out of these three [potential new docks] Sarayburnu is the most appropriate. We're aiming to [prepare the conversion of the dock] in time for the start of the new [cruise] season in May. Istanbul needs seven to eight more such docks," an official is quoted as saying.

More than 1,000 cruise ships stop at Kusadasi and Istanbul every year. In 2005, the 227 cruise ships stopping in Istanbul brought along 231,000 tourists, and these numbers reached 340 ships and 432,000 tourists by 2007.

Seattle Continues As Major US Homeport For Alaska Cruises

Five major cruise lines will offer 211 sailings during the April-October cruise season. Almost all are weeklong cruises from Seattle to Southeast Alaska and back, although in the fall there are some shorter Pacific Northwest cruises. Five major cruise lines currently operate weekly service out of Seattle on 11 premier vessels. Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises depart from the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66. Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean will depart from the new Terminal 91 Cruise Facility.

To find a cruise or checkout the port, click, www.portseattle.org/seaport/cruise. For the 2009 cruise schedule, click http://www.portseattle.org/downloads/seaport/2009_Cruise_Sched.pdf

 

October, 2008

New York’s Pier 90 Completes Renovations

Pier 90 on Manhattan's West Side reopened recently following a lengthy construction period. The Pier 90 upgrades included renovations of the building's exterior and major interior upgrades including passenger waiting areas, furnishings, finishes, lighting, escalators and check-in counters. Muted colors and muffled sounds greeted guests boarding the final voyage of the Queen Elizabeth 2 on October 16.

The new master plan also included the addition of a new ground transportation area, an improved mechanical plant, the installation of modern security systems and a Customs and Border Protection station and upgraded safety and building egress.

Carnival Corp.’s Puerta Maya Cruise Center In Cozumel Now Open

Carnival Corporation & plc’s pier at Puerta Maya in Cozumel, Mexico—closed since being damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005—is now open. Representing an investment of more than $50 million, the new two-berth pier has been specifically constructed to withstand a threshold category 5 hurricane and can accommodate any ship among Carnival Corporation & plc’s various cruise brands.

In addition to the newly rebuilt pier, Puerta Maya’s nine-acre cruise center, which features a wide variety of shops and restaurants, will also re-open, along with a four-acre transportation hub capable of accommodating dozens of taxis and tour buses. Four rental car facilities will be available, as well.

The October 16 calls by the Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Ecstasy are the first of 550 cruise-ship visits at Puerta Maya over the next year. In addition to calling at Puerta Maya, vessels from Carnival Corporation & plc brands will continue to utilize the other two piers in Cozumel.

Collectively, these ships will bring an estimated 1.5 million visitors annually to Cozumel, who are expected to spend $126 million on the island each year. Puerta Maya’s expansive cruise center houses 42 different outlets offering apparel, fine jewelry, artwork and other merchandise from such recognizable retailers as Goodmark Jewelers, Del Sol, Piranha Joe’s, Dufry, and Diamonds International. The facility also features 15 stand-alone carts where local merchants market colorful handmade crafts, costume jewelry and souvenirs.

On-site dining options within the Puerta Maya complex include the Tres Amigos Bar, a new theme restaurant inspired by the 1986 hit movie starring Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short. The waterfront eatery – the first of its kind in the Caribbean – offers traditional Mexican fare, along with an extensive beverage menu. The Puerta Maya pier and cruise center is located on the southwestern part of Cozumel, approximately five miles south of San Miguel, the island’s largest city.

New Cruise Terminal To Open In Hamburg-Altona

The new mooring space in the Altona fishing port will be given a modern terminal building with an integrated and automated gateway. This will speed up the putting in and casting off of ships. Preparatory work for the project on the marine side has been going on since August. Before the end of this year a start will be made with the construction of the quay wall, so that the first cruise ship will be able to put in to the new berthing space by mid-August 2009.

Then the mooring basin will need to be created, and further work done on the surrounding area. The complex should be finally completed in time for the 2010 cruise season. The external design of the terminal building is being carried out in close consultation with the Altona district council. The new Altona terminal alone is expected to have 50 ships putting in a year from 2010 on.

Antalya Turkey Aiming For New Cruise Spot By 2010

Turkey's tourism resort on the Mediterranean, Antalya, has set its sight on cruise tourism and aims to become one of the cruise hot spots of Europe. "Antalya would host at least 120,000 cruise tourists a year starting from 2010," Port Akdeniz General Manger Efe Hatay told the Anatolia news agency.“We will invest around $6 million in the Antalya Port until 2010,” Hatay said. “We have launched new projects to help Antalya become known in European cruise tourism. We have agreed with AIDA Cruises, one of the biggest cruise companies in Europe, to add Antalya to their destinations from 2010.” Hatay said Antlaya had a high potential for cruise tourism “For now, a total of 40 to 45 cruise ships visit Antalya each year, and we aim to increase it to 100. Antalya will well known in cruise tourism.” Hatay said one of the biggest cruise ships in Europe, Poesia with a capacity of 3,000 passengers, was scheduled to make a “test stop” in Antalya on November 20. “It will be the biggest cruise ship that has ever come to Antalya Port,” he said. A new passenger terminal will be built in the Antalya port with an investment of $2 million. The terminal will be completed by 2009.

Grand Turk Cruise Center Scheduled to Re-Open In October

The Grand Turk Cruise Center, which is operated by Miami-based Carnival Corporation & plc and located on the island of Grand Turk, scheduled an October 8, 2008 re-opening date, following the passage of Hurricane Ike. An engineering survey has confirmed that no damage was sustained to the cruise ship pier, which can accommodate up to two ships at one time. Minimal damage occurred to the facility's retail and restaurant complex. The Grand Turk Cruise Center is the largest private employer on the island and the cruise center staff, combined with shore excursion operators, comprises approximately 80 percent of non-government jobs in Grand Turk.

Carnival Corporation & plc will also be providing financial and logistical assistance to shore excursion operators to enable them to resume their businesses. Cruise passengers and crew members will be provided the opportunity to participate in volunteer-oriented excursions for those who wish to assist in the island's recovery effort.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center, which opened in 2006, has become one of the cruise industry's most popular Caribbean cruise destinations. The $60 million, 13-acre complex features an 800-foot-long private beach, swimming pool and FlowRider attraction, which offers body boarding and stand-up board surfing, in addition to multiple retail outlets. The FlowRider, which was not damaged, will re-open pending the status of power supply on the island. The cruise center's lush landscaping, much of which was lost as a result of the storm, will be replaced on a gradual basis over the next several months.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center serves as a gateway to the pristine island of Grand Turk, which is world-renowned as a diving and snorkeling jewel, and also features magnificent beaches, striking aqua-blue waters, and a variety of fishing and water sports activities. Additional information on the Grand Turk Cruise Center can be viewed at www.grandturkcc.com.

Shuttle Service Being Offered to Cruise Piers in N.Y., N.J. Cruise Shuttle Express is a new service offering transportation from Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the cruise terminals in New York and New Jersey. Started in January by Shirley Doud of Jarrettsville, Md., the service has been so well-received by consumers and travel agents that the company is expanding its number of routes. Cruise Shuttle Express picks up in the Baltimore area and then heads north on I-95, making several stops along the way. New service has also just started from Harrisburg and the Route 83 and 78 corridors. It is also now offering door-to-door service to the Baltimore Cruise Terminal.

The cost of the shuttle is $105 per person round-trip for the New York and New Jersey terminals. The new Baltimore service picks cruisers up at their door and delivers them to the port. In most cases, the Baltimore service saves the consumer money when compared with driving and paying to park at the Baltimore terminal. One-way and private shuttle pickups are available upon request. The company does offer travel agent commission. The rate varies depending on the product but for round-trip transfers to the New York and New Jersey cruise terminals, the commission is $10 per person. For more information, call 877-273-8889 or visit www.cruiseshuttleexpress.com.

August, 2008

New Cruise Terminal Opens In Shanghai
The terminal in the port of Shanghai became operational this month with the arrival of Costa Cruises ‘Costa Allegra. Located along the Huangpu River, it covers a total area of 350,000 square meters,  extends over four floors and can dock up to four cruise vessels simultaneously. An ultramodern terminal in terms of efficiency and safety, it is able to complete immigration procedures at the rate of just 48 seconds per person. The area also includes business centers, hotels, offices and art galleries. 
This summer the Costa Allegra is offering short four-to-six-day cruises—primarily designed for the Chinese trade—with departures not only from Shanghai but also from Hong Kong and Tianjin. In March 2009, the Costa Classica will offer longer cruises in the region.
Costa Cruises was the first international cruise company to operate regular cruises in China and in Asia, selling its “made in Italy” product to the Chinese. Operations began in 2006 from Shanghai with the Costa Allegra. Since then Costa has completed a total of 121 cruises in Asia, 100 of which in China and about 40 percent of these from the port of Shanghai, where the Costa Allegra has brought more than 60,000 cruise vacationers traffic.
Tourism is one of the most rapidly growing sectors in the Chinese economy. According to data from the Ocean Shipping Consultants, an independent research company based in Great Britain, the Northeast Asia cruise market (China, South Korea and Taiwan) will continue to grow at a constant rate: from an estimated 440 thousand cruise passengers in 2005, that figure is expected to increase to 720 thousand in 2010.

One Million Visitors Attend Hamburg Port’s Cruise Day Festival
 Hamburg Port celebrated its first Cruise Days festival this month with a spectacular ship parade of cruise liners. About a million visitors and the art project “Blue Port” turned the port into a worldwide unique stage and offered completely fresh and unusual views of Hamburg as a maritime metropolis.
During five-day event, the cruise ships Queen Mary 2, MS Deutschland, MS Columbus, AIDAaura, MS Astor—along with the Sedov, the world’s largest four-masted sailing vessel, and the Cap San Diego, the world´s oldest cargo/passenger vessel—turned the river Elbe into a gigantic maritime catwalk. Cultural and culinary supporting events provided additional entertainment and information for the general public and trade visitors.

New Study On Port Tourist Facilities Commissioned By European Union
The European Union has commissioned a study into tourist facilities in ports. It is being coordinated by the recently formed Directorate for Maritime Affairs (DGMARE) with input from DG Enterprise and Tourism.
The European Cruise Council anticipates that the cruise element will include producing an EU wide average economic indicator to demonstrate the added economic/social value to ports/regions of investments in appropriate facilities for cruise tourism.
The ECC has already stressed to officials concerned on the initiative the importance of bearing in mind that the cruise sector is very much consumer led in that companies will only visit EU ports or regions that have some clear attraction for passengers, and the existence of sophisticated facilities normally would not be enough to attract cruise ships. It was also noted a need for adequate berths in the right location, proper security and facilities such as coach parking which will require the necessary investment, often best put in place by local stakeholders.
The ECC reports the scope for the study has now widened and is likely to also include issues such as shore side electricity and port pollution.

Philadelphia Becoming Popular Homeport for North America Maritime Cruises
As a way to beat the high cost of gasoline and the ‘flightiness’ of the airline industry, Pennsylvania and New Jersey travelers are snapping up fall cruises to Canada and New England. To meet this demand, CruisePhilly is offering seven day sailings to Canada and New England aboard the Norwegian Majesty beginning October 4th.
/St. John, and Boston. Cruising has long been a fun, stress-free and affordable alternative to air travel but has increasingly become a welcome relief from rising gas prices," said John J. Matheussen, CEO of the DRPA, the parent agency of the Port of Philadelphia and Camden.
The Philadelphia Cruise Terminal is operated by the Port of Philadelphia and Camden, a department of the Delaware River Port Authority. DRPA also owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross bridges, PATCO and the RiverLink Ferry. 
 
Palermo Port To Upgrade Facilities For Cruise Ships
Plans are in the works for improving the Port of Palermo for cruise ship stops. The Sicilian port’s quays and waterfront area are to undergo upgrading work in a move to interface the port with the nearby historical city. Palermo’s existing cruise terminal will also undergo renovation.

 

July, 2008

New Tourist Attraction For Cruise Passengers In The Port Of Hamburg
The new International Maritime Museum Hamburg (IMMH) opened its doors to the public in June. The nine exhibition floors in the historic Kaispeicher / Warehouse B tell the story of explorers and conquerors, of captains and simple seamen – an expedition through 3000 years of human history. One floor displays 36,000 small model ships.
The IMMH is located in the new Hafen City area. It offers to the cruise passengers an easy access within a seven-minute walk form the pier and is hence an attractive point of interest. Either as a pre or post program, as well as a shore excursion during a transit call, it is easy to reach from the Hamburg Cruise Center. For more information www.internationales-maritimes-museum.de  

Alternative Port For Gateway To Tuscany and Liguria Announced
Marina di Carrara, located on Italy’s Tyrrenian coast, is being promoted as an alternative port gateway to Tuscany and Liguria. The new port is only two hours away by coach from Tuscany and Liguria destinations such as the Cinque Terre (40 miles) Portofino (60 miles) and Florence (75 miles). There are three International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) approved piers for passenger traffic that have port services that include fresh water supply, bunkering and garbage collection.

New Berth For Cruise Ships In Warnemünde, Germany 
The first section of the newly built berth P8 in the shipyard basin in Warnemünde was put into operation this spring. The construction of the 10-million-Euro project was executed by the consortium (ARGE) Züblin/Aarsleff, commissioned by Hafen-Entwicklungsgesellschaft Rostock in summer of the previous year. “The new berth P8 allows us to keep pace with international market developments, especially concerning of the size of cruise ships. Nearly half (56 of 116) of all port calls in 2008 will be by large cruise ships with a length ranging from 250 to 300 meters”, said Ulrich Bauermeister, Managing Director of Hafen-Entwicklungsgesellschaft Rostock.
The first phase of construction was carried out from December 2007 to April 2008 a new sheet-pile wall with a length of 360 meters was constructed approximately 3 meters in front of the old wall and anchored on land. The process resulted in the reclamation of 1200 square meters along a length of 360 meters. In March and April 2008, a water depth of approximately ten meters was dredged in the area around the berth necessary for navigation.
In a second phase of construction continuing until the end of 2008, an additional length of 95 meters will be constructed in the same manner. The configuration of the berth P8 will be changed to incorporate a bend in the quay after a length of 412 meters, connecting an additional 53 meters of quay length.

 

June, 2008

New Port Being Developed In Jamaica To Accommodate RCI Megaships
Royal Caribbean has been working in partnership with the Port Authority of Jamaica to complete the new Falmouth Cruise pier by March 2010, as well as establish the associated infrastructure necessary to welcome cruise ship passengers. Falmouth is located within a half hour ride from resort areas of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.
Falmouth was named for Falmouth in Cornwall, England and was created from seaside land owned by famed English Romantic poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning's grandfather, Edward Moulton Barrett, in 1790. Barrett sold portions of land off to planter friends, kept the waterfront and donated what remained for the building of a courthouse, church and public gardens. The community developed into a colonial center for Jamaica’s sugar and fine rums industries. The town’s Historic District with its 18th and 19th century architecture features many buildings still intact—from small wooden houses to brick Georgian mansions to plantation complexes. 
Plans underway to upgrade the piers at Labadee, St, Maarten  and Cozumel
Royal Caribbean is also collaborating with port authorities of the other ports of call that Oasis will visit. The cruise line and St. Maarten will upgrade the guest welcome facilities while Cozumel’s pier will be widened. In Haiti, a joint effort between RCI and the government will result in the construction of a new pier at Labadee, the cruise line’s private beach destination, as well as expand existing guest offerings with an alpine coaster and fast boat tours to complement Labadee’s Dragon’ Breath Flight Line. Approaches to the docks at St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau also will be dredged.

Carnival To Introduce Baltimore’s First Year-Round Cruise Program In 2009
Carnival Cruise Lines will launch the first year-round cruise program from the Port of Baltimore with seven-day cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride beginning in fall 2009. The new program kicks off September 13, 2009, and encompasses two different weeklong itineraries departing Sundays from the historic Maryland port. 
Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program will feature a variety of interesting ports on two distinctly different seven-day itineraries.

‘Carnival Freedom ‘To Operate Year-Round Cruises From Port Everglades
Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,974-passenger Carnival Freedom, which was originally scheduled to operate six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a seasonal basis, will now operate the program year-round, following the conclusion of its 2008 Mediterranean program in October. 

 

May, 2008

Stockholm Greets 2008 Cruise Season With New Terminal

The grand opening of the Stockholm Cruise Center Frihamnen this month marked the start of the Swedish capital's 2008 cruise season. The state-of-the-art cruise terminal will play a pivotal role as Stockholm prepares to receive a record-setting 265 ships in 2008, a five percent increase over 2007.
The fifth largest cruise destination in Northern Europe, according to Cruise Europe, the Scandinavian capital is expected to receive 30 turnaround calls and upwards of 300,000 passengers during the season, which runs through September 24. "The added capacity has not only helped serve the demand for Baltic cruising, but has also prompted new business and growth for Stockholm," said Josefin Haraldsson, marketing manager, cruises, Stockholm Visitor's Board. "Fourteen new ships will be calling this season and an increase can already be seen for the 2009 season."
The 3,000-square-meter (32,291 square feet) former cargo terminal underwent a complete interior and exterior renovation and now includes cafés, Internet access, waiting areas and baggage handling. The exterior has created a new city landmark with its brightly lit colors and original design.
Stockholm's popularity as a turnaround destination continues to grow with an 11 percent increase over 2007 projected this season. With the additional turnarounds, including the addition of Princess Cruises, more than 30,000 passengers will have additional time to explore Stockholm. Website:

Bermello Ajamil & Partners To Design Singapore's New Cruise Terminal
The Singapore Government has selected B&A Bermello Ajamil & Partners, Inc. (B&A), in a joint venture with RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd (RSP) of Singapore, to design the new International Cruise Terminal (ICT) at Marina South in Singapore. Responding to the dramatic increase in projected passenger volumes over the next five years and the need to accommodate the new mega-size ships, B&A and RSP’s proposed design of a modern and efficient terminal will address the long-term growth in cruise operations and also serve as the catalyst for expanding opportunities that will further enhance Singapore’s Marina South waterfront. At an estimated cost of US$180-220 million, the planned ICT development will include a new twin terminal building, a two berth finger pier capable of handling the largest of cruise ships currently in service and the next generation of cruise ships currently in production. In close proximity to the Central Business District and Marina Bay, the new cruise facility at Marina South will provide a world class cruise tourism platform for residents and visitors of Singapore.

Expansion OF Cruise Facility in BVI Announced
The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority is expanding the cruise pier to better accommodate the new class of megacruise ships in operation by the cruise industry. The project is slated to begin in July and should be completed by mid-December. Creque added that some preliminary work has already started with soil investigation of the surrounding sea bed.
In addition to the expansion of the pier, a tender dock will be built in the immediate vicinity of the cruise pier. This dock will be used as the reception area for tenders from cruise ships at anchor, and will also be used by ferries taking passengers on tours to other Islands.
The cruise ship pier was built in 1992 and extended in 1999. It is 1,015 feet in length, inclusive of the outer mooring dolphin, and can simultaneously accommodate two relatively large ships. After the expansion, the two berths will each be 1,142.75 feet.
The project is expected to be completed in December of this year.

 

Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Rededicates Historic Mural

A rededication ceremony for The Brooklyn Working Waterfront, an eight-panel mural that honors the people who made Brooklyn’s waterfront a vital part of the American economy, was rededicated at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal this month. “The rededication of this historic mural is a fitting tribute to the many men and women who today are contributing to the rebirth of New York City’s waterfront as a dynamic economic engine of the City’s economy,” said Seth W. Pinsky, President, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). “With industrial maritime uses at Red Hook expanding into Sunset Park, and the thriving container terminal at Howland Hook in Staten Island, the New York Harbor is on its way to reclaiming its former status as a vibrant hub for international shipping. I am pleased that NYCEDC is a part of this revitalization and this tribute.”
The 24-foot by 9-foot mural was created in 1963 by Bernard Seaman (1913-1989), a noted editorial cartoonist and artist. It was originally displayed in the lobby of the Brooklyn Longshoremen’s Medical Center in Brooklyn. When the building was scheduled for demolition in 2008, efforts to preserve the mural were spearheaded by ILA Local 1814 President Louis Pernice and the members of the local union. The transfer and reinstallation at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal was funded by New York Container Terminal President James Devine.
The mural depicts scenes of longshoremen hauling cargo-laden nets during the height of activity on the Brooklyn waterfront.  Each of its 3 x 8 foot panels contains hundreds of pieces of acrylic layered to create different hues and textures. The men are depicted hoisting sacks of coffee and crates while barrels of oil wait to be loaded on the Brooklyn docks. There is a large stack in the foreground representing the ubiquitous steam ships of the era. The intricate work also portrays the Statue of Liberty centrally framed by the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

April, 2008

Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal To Officially Open Summer 2008.
A multibillion-Yuan terminal is nearing completion on the Huangpu River in the heart of Shanghai—a project that could play a leading role in the development of cruise economy in China as well as make Shanghai the top cruise ship hub in Asia.
Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal (SIPG) is located on the North Bund area of Hongkou District which is the central districts of Shanghai and also acts as a “Gate on the Water” for the city. It has a water front of 880 meters and a land area of around 130,000 square meters.  Connected with the Bund in the west and faced with Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Lujiazui across the Huangpu River in the south, it offers a panoramic view on both sides of the river.
Both inbound and outbound passenger liners as well as foreign cruises stopping at Shanghai Port, currently berth at Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal.
The International Cruise Terminal, which hosts the 2008 Seatrade All Asia Cruise Convention October 23-25, will officially open on August 5 this year.
MSC Cruises will have a dedicated office within the cruise terminal area.
In order to promote the cruising concept and provide the general public a feeling of the unique cruising lifestyle even before they get a chance of boarding a cruise ship, both SIPG and MSC Cruises have agreed agree to jointly set up a “Cruise Center” that will showcase the Italian cruising style.
MSC Cruises is also carefully studying the potential of deploying an MSC Cruises ship to Shanghai to commence an Asia service. When this service commences, MSC Cruises will use Shanghai Cruise terminal facilities on a regular basis. This will be the first time that MSC Cruises ships will visit the Asian market.
MSC Cruises and SIPG are going to have a joint venture travel agency
In order to stimulate and educate the domestic Chinese cruise market, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal (SIPG) and MSC Crociere S.A. (MSC) have agreed to set up a JV travel agency in the LOI, according to the agreement signed in May 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland. The JV travel agency will be invested by SIPG and MSC Cruises and will be named the MSC Cruises Travel Agency (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. The JV travel agency will be the General Sales Agency of MSC Cruises in mainland China. The short term goal of the JV travel agency is to make cruising become one of the most popular ways of leisure travel.

Grand Turk Cruise Center Offers A Variety Of Shopping
Grand Turk Cruise Center, one of the Caribbean’s newest cruise destinations, will welcome an increase in both the number of ship calls as well as the opening of additional retail stores in 2008. Officials at the Grand Turk Cruise Center expect more than 200 cruise ship calls accounting for 400,000 passengers in 2008, up from 180 calls and 380,000 passengers last year.
Located on 13 acres of pristine beachfront property on Grand Turk, in the Turks & Caicos Islands, the Grand Turk Cruise Center boasts more than 40 retail shops encompassing 40,000 square feet of retail space featuring many world-renowned brand names in watches, jewelry, and clothing. Website: www.Grandturkcc.com

Cruiseport Boston Expects More Travelers In 2008
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) reports that the 2008 cruise season officially began April 12 with the arrival of the Amadea. This year’s season will run through November 7 with some 116 ships carrying an estimated 280,000 travelers passing through Cruiseport Boston. Fifteen cruise lines will offer an assortment of Canada/New England, Bermuda, Caribbean, and trans-Atlantic itineraries. This year’s season will bring some great new ships, welcome back an old one, and bid “bon voyage” to Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth 2. “This cruise season promises to be a busy one with a 20% increase over last year.," said Mike Leone, Massport’s Port Director. “This is good news for Boston’s local restaurants, shops, and attractions.”
Beginning in May, Cruiseport Boston will be the homeport for Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dream, a 1,750-passenger ship that will cruise weekly to Bermuda. She will also embark on a series of seven-day Canada/New England cruises. She replaces Norwegian Majesty, a 1,500 passenger vessel which began calling the Port of Boston in 1994. Norwegian Dream,
In 2008, Cruiseport Boston also welcomes back Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas for an assortment of Canada/ New England and Caribbean cruises. Boston has been the homeport for Jewel of the Seas since her launch in 2004. She holds 2,501 passengers. Some of her amenities include a rock-climbing wall, indoor/outdoor country club with a golf simulator, and a beautiful indoor solarium.
New this season will be an inaugural visit by Holland America’s newest ship Eurodam. She will be the line’s largest ship carrying 2,104 passengers.
Cunard Line’s QE2 will make a final visit to Boston on her Autumn Colors cruise before she travels to Dubai where she will become a floating hotel. Website: http://www.massport.com/ports/cruis.html

Oslo Expects Good Cruise Season In 2008
After a year which saw a slight decrease in calls and passengers, Oslo is back on track, notes the Oslo Cruise Network, with more than 220,000 passengers expected to visit in 2008 on a Baltic or Norwegian cruise.
Both Royal Caribbean (RCI) and MSC Cruises will use Oslo as a home port for eight sailings in April and May. RCI will sail six mini-cruises to Amsterdam and back, while MSC will pick up Norwegian passengers in Oslo on two mini-cruises visiting Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany this month.
Four piers will be available for cruise ships this year: Sondre Akerhus, Vippetangen, Filipstad and Sorenga. The Revier pier is closed in 2008 due to tunnel work in the bay. However it will reopen in 2009 as the Opera Cruise Pier, located in Bjorvika near the iconic Opera House, built in white marble with huge glass windows.

New Stockholm Cruise Terminal To Open In May
Stockholm's new large cruise terminal, at Frihamen 638, is set to open in May, but a smaller terminal also will be joining the Ports of Stockholm facilities. The terminal at Stadsgården is set to accommodate cruise ships with up to 1,000 passengers and will be located by the new ABBA Museum, set to open in 2009.
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Dominican Republic Cruise Numbers Rise Significantly In 2007
DR Cruise numbers were up 18 percent in 2007 from 2006 and are expected to rise in 2008.. In Santo Domingo, the new Sans Souci Port is expected to formally open later this year.
Tourist stopovers totaled more than 3.9 million in 2007, up slightly from 2006. Tourists from North America accounted for 48 percent of all visitors, with 34 percent from the US and 14 percent from Canada; Europe came in at 39 percent with the remaining visitors from Latin America.

Vancouver BC Starts Its 2008 Cruise Season
The British Columbia port of Vancouver expects to welcome more than 250 ship visits and 850,000 revenue passengers at its two cruise terminals, Canada Place and Ballantyne. Passengers may also choose from a round trip or one way cruise. The Port of Vancouver is the leading homeport to Alaska and the only one gateway through Canada's Inside Passage.
The season kicks into high gear on May 9, when Norwegian Sun, Veendam, Golden Princess and Celebrity Infinity call with approximately 13,000 passengers embarking or disembarking.
In 2008 the Tahitian Princess will replace the Pacific Princess; the Veendam will replace the Zuiderdam and Millennium replaces Celebrity Summit. Regent Seven Seas Cruises will deploy Seven Seas Mariner and Silversea Cruises will bring Silver Shadow.Visit http://www.portvancouver.com/vanAlaCruise/
content/cruiseOverview/schedule.html for a list of ships making calls this season.

 

 

April 1, 2008

Port Canaveral And Disney Cruise Line Reach Agreement
Disney Cruise Line will extend its partnership at Port Canaveral for another 15 years, operating its two new 4,000-passenger vessels from its exclusive-use terminal in Canaveral.
After yearlong negotiations, the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the agreement, which includes pier and terminal improvements needed for the arrival of the first new Disney ship in 2011. The second ship is scheduled for launch in 2012. 
In addition, a parking garage will be built to accommodate the 40-percent capacity increase with the two new ships. “This agreement reflects Disney’s commitment to Central Florida and success at Port Canaveral,” said Tom McAlpin, President of Disney Cruise Line. “We are proud to call Port Canaveral our homeport.”
Disney currently homeports the Disney Magic, offering a seven-day itinerary to the Caribbean, and the Disney Wonder, offering 3- and 4-day voyages to the Bahamas.

Ports Of Argentina Experiences Unprecedented Growth
Fueled by a growing interest in South America as a cruising destination, three major Argentine ports -- Buenos Aires, Madryn and Ushuaia -- are experiencing a development boom. That growth, spurred by an increased focus by both North American and European cruise operators, has prompted an initiative committing hundreds of million of dollars to infrastructure development to accommodate larger cruise ships and increased passenger numbers.
Ideally suited as a summer alternative to the Caribbean, the Port of Buenos Aires, Port of Madryn and Port of Ushuaia have ramped up expansion of piers, facilities for embarkation and disembarkation of passengers and enhanced shore excursion offerings to accommodate the needs of cruise lines and their guests. "The growth is phenomenal, we've confirmed 91 cruise ship arrivals for 2008-2009 alone," said Jorge Falcon, Director of Port Capacity, National Port Administration, Port of Buenos Aires. "To date we've completed more than US $158 million in new piers, deepening of existing channels and other facilities."
The province of Chubut, which features the port of Madryn, has already invested more than US$30 million in new piers and associated navigation facilities and foresees allocating an additional US$190 million to be spent within the next eight years. This enhancement program includes seaport environmental improvements, continued pier enlargements and construction of a new terminal building at the Pier Luis Piedra Buena.
The Port of Ushuaia has recently carried out a million dollar three-part improvement project including the construction of OMI required devices and foresees a harbor modernization project in the near future. Investments also included training and the purchase of advance technology elements.
The completed and planned improvements at each port will enhance the existing offerings, which range from spectacular scenic cruising off Ushuaia, the southern most city in the world, to face-to-face penguin encounters near Madryn.

15 European Ports Form Atlantic Alliance To Promote Cruises
Fifteen ports on Europe’s West Coast have launched a campaign to promote a new cruise destination encompassing seven countries, seven leading cultures, and seven well-known capitals. The 15 ports, Hamburg and Bremerhaven (Germany); IJmuiden, Amsterdam and Rotterdam (The Netherlands); Antwerp (Belgium);
Cherbourg, St.Malo, Brest, Nantes, La Rochelle and Bordeaux
(France); Santander and Vigo (Spain); Lisbon (Portugal); founded the
Atlantic Alliance to market themselves as a unique and attractive cruise
destination offering many exciting possibilities of itineraries. “Europe’s West Coast is a treasure trove for travelers seeking exclusive experiences beyond what has become conventional luxury,” said Dirk  Moldenhauer, Managing Director Hamburg Cruise Center and Managing Director of the Atlantic Alliance at this month’s Seatrade 2008 convention in Miami.
Until now, Europe’s Atlantic seaboard has been regarded by the cruise industry as a transit and repositioning area between the Mediterranean and the Baltic. But the Atlantic Alliance members will offer cruise passengers many more and extraordinary experiences such as rich, cosmopolitan cultures, great shopping, sophisticated food and wine, and the grand capitals of Europe, all in one cruise.
The Atlantic Alliance expects more ports and tourism boards to join. In August 2008, the group will issue a brochure providing the cruise lines with all necessary information about theme cruises and touristic highlights.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticalliance.eu . 

Malaga Now Spain’s Second Most Important Cruise Port
Malaga cruise ports last year becoming the second most important port in Spain in terms of number of cruise ship visits. The first phase of a $295 million port expansion has just been completed. Plans call for two new docks which will have restaurants, shops, gardens and recreational areas.

Singapore’s New Cruise Terminal Slated For 2010 Opening
Singapore's new international cruise terminal located at Marina South, which opens in 2010, will double capacity and it will be able to accommodate the largest ships currently in service or in development, such as Royal Caribbean's new Genesis class of ships debuting in 2009.
The Marina South facility will be a ten-to-15-minute drive from the existing Singapore Cruise Centre at HarbourFront, which has two cruise ship berths.
Singapore's goal is to handle 1.6 million embarking and disembarking cruise passengers per year by 2015. Last year, the tourism board said Singapore Cruise Centre reported a cruise passenger volume of over 943,000, an increase of 10% over the 857,000 passengers achieved in 2006.

Shanghai’s New Cruise Terminal Nearing Completion
Shanghai, China’s new cruise terminal, situated in the city’s North Bund area, is nearing completion. The bubble-shaped glass facility is a first step in Shanghai’s bid to attract the top cruise lines, said Lu Haihu, chairman of Shanghai International Port Group. Costa Cruises, Star Cruises and Princess Cruises are among the regular visitors to the city and next month Royal Caribbean International’s Rhapsody of the Seas is scheduled for a port call.
Hong Kong and Singapore are also planning major new cruise facilities as interest in Asian cruises grows.

 

 

 

January, 2008

New York’s Pier 88 At Westside Terminal Now Renovated
New York’s Westside Terminal complex now boasts one fully renovated berth—Pier 88. The transformation from a grey decrepit terminal to a brightly lit one with an upgraded interior is remarkable. Pier 90’s renovation is expected to be completed by this summer.

Partial view of Pier 88’s interior’s new look
The pier opened partially to accommodate Norwegian Cruise Line’s winter operations which began in December with the arrival of its newest ship, Norwegian Gem. While the pier is being used mainly by Norwegian Cruise Line for its Norwegian Gem, and Norwegian Dawn; other lines will benefit as well. On January 13, as part of the three Cunard ships meeting for the first time in New York’s harbor, the Queen Victoria was docked at the refurbished pier.
Under the auspices of New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the $200 million renovation project will provide separate embark/debark areas, food service, modern customs processing facilities, ADA compliant gangway systems, designated taxi pick-up and drop-off areas, new elevators and escalators, attractive passenger waiting area and new PA systems for the piers.
NYCEDC also opened the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in April 2006. It was the first major cruise pier project in NYC since the 1970s. For a month by month schedule of 2008 cruises out of the Manhattan Westside piers and Brooklyn*, visit http://www.nycruise.com/sched_2008.html .
*(Note: the ships listed in red type sail from the Brooklyn cruise terminal in Red Hook.

Hamburg Cruise Season 2008 Begins In April
Hamburg’s Cruise Season 2008 will see its first cruise vessel arriving in the Port of Hamburg mid April. The season will conclude in December with the famous Christmas cruises. The year 2008 is in the limelight of the cruise industry. In efforts to increase its importance as a cruise destination, a second berth is being built to accommodate cruise vessels with a maximum length of 300 meters and is expected to be completed in spring of 2009. The ongoing development of the cruise facilities that includes the alignment of the terminal infrastructures, the constructions of the surrounding area and the access road, parking spaces and public areas, will cost an estimated 12.5 million euros.
Three out of ten worldwide new ships are expected during 2008 at the Hamburg Cruise Center. Maiden calls include HAL’s Eurodam in July, Aida Cruises AIDAbella in September and Celebrity’s Celebrity Solstice in October. In addition, the AIDAaura will operate 11 cruises from/to Hamburg.
Between July 30 and August 3 2008, Hamburg as metropolis on the waterfront will be celebrating Hamburg Cruise Days as a new event in the port. Overall seven cruise ships will be calling at Germany’s largest port during this event. A call by the Queen Mary 2 on July 30 will mark the kick-off of the event. One highlight during the event will be a grand parade of ships to include Aida’s “Aura” and “Astor”, the Deutschland, Cap San Diego and two tall ships.
A detailed sailing list is available in the category CruisePort Inside under www.hamburgcruisecenter.de. Website:  www.hamburgcruisecenter.de
                       
Fourth Cruise Terminal Slated for Port of Southampton
Plans are underway to build a fourth cruise terminal at the Port of Southampton after Associated British Ports (ABP) signed a 20-year contract with Carnival UK. ABP will invest £19 million in the new terminal, which will be built at Ocean Dock opposite the site of the old Ocean Terminal. The agreement will also give Carnival brands Cunard, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises priority use of the port’s Queen Elizabeth II and Mayflower Terminals, further strengthening the group’s relationship with the port.
In 2008, Cunard’s Queen Victoria and P&O’s new Ventura will be passed at the port. The port anticipates nearly 1 million passengers using the port in 2008.
Today’s announcement comes at a historic time for Southampton’s cruise business. Cunard’s Queen Victoria has, this morning, sailed into the port for the first time, and next year will see the arrival of P&O’s Ventura, the largest cruise ship ever to be built for the UK market. Both of these vessels will then be based at the port. “The signing of this contract is spectacular news for the Port of Southampton. Over the last few years, our cruise business has gone from strength to strength, reflecting the consuming public’s ever-growing demand for luxury cruise holidays, said Doug Morrison, ABP Port Director, Southampton. “We are delighted to be building the new terminal, on the back of this long-term agreement, as it not only strengthens our close relationship with Carnival but also demonstrates our faith in the future of this trade. Website: http://www.abports.co.uk/

Voyager Of The Seas Arrives In Galveston For Its First Winter Season In Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas and the next biggest thing in the Lone Star State is Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas. The largest cruise ship ever to be based in the Gulf Coast and to sail from the Port of Galveston, Voyager will sail seven-night itineraries visiting the Caribbean, South America and Mexico calling on Cozumel, Costa Maya and Yucatan, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman through April 2008.
“In 2006, we welcomed 617,000 cruise travelers, making Galveston the Gulf Coast’s most popular cruise port.  With the arrival of Voyager of the Seas, the port will undergo a $3.3 million upgrade to accommodate a 50 percent increase in Royal Caribbean guests,” said Steven M. Cernak, port director, Port of Galveston.  “Hosting the most innovative ship in the Gulf will have a significant economic impact, adding to the success of 2006 when we saw $1.1 billion in direct spending, resulting in 19,341 jobs created and $907 million generated in new income in the state of Texas as a result of the cruise industry.”*

San Diego To Get A New Cruise Terminal
The Board of Directors for the Port of San Diego approved an updated design of the
Broadway Pier Cruise Ship Terminal. The design, which was originally presented
at a November 9, 2007 Board meeting, included a unique sawtooth roofline, the use of glass panels on the structure and incorporated public art.
The upgraded design has pushed the project cost to $23.6 million. The Port originally intended to pay for the project with a $12 million loan received from Carnival Corporation. The Port has been discussing financing options with both the City of San Diego and the Centre City Development Corporation for extra funding to compensate for the $10.9 million excess cost for the new facility.
The Port’s cruise business has increased steadily over the years. An average of 200 cruise vessels arrive at the Port each year, bringing about $2 million in economic impact with each call. To keep pace with the growth, the Port believes it is imperative to improve its cruise facilities. A new cruise terminal is planned for the B Street Pier and the terminal on Broadway Pier is necessary for cruise operations to continue while that pier is under construction.
The Port hopes that the Broadway Pier cruise terminal building will be finished by May
2009.

 

December, 2007

The Port of Copenhagen Becoming A Popular Christmas Cruise Destination
In 2005, the first Christmas cruise visited Copenhagen. This December, the ships will once again find their way to Northern Europe’s leading cruise destination. Cruise lines have discovered Northern Europe as a Christmas destination and three cruise ships have scheduled their arrival. “Since the beginning of the year, we saw a rise in inquires about Christmas cruises. Early on, the British cruise lines P&O, Fred Olsen and Cunard expressed their interest in Christmas cruises to Northern Europe. And, when the ships Artemis, Black Watch and Queen Victoria announced their arrival in Copenhagen, the cabins were fully booked in just a few days,” says Anette Jensen, Cruise Marketing Director, Cruise Copenhagen Network.
The first Christmas cruise ship, Artemis, arrived at Langelinie on the December 10 followed by Black Watch tow days later and Queen Victoria on December 14.  “Since 2004, we have worked with a strategy that would get the cruise lines to discover the possibilities Copenhagen has to offer – both traditional and original that differentiates the destination from its competitors – even in December. And the Scandinavian Christmas markets rank high on the passengers’ wish lists.  Our wish is that December cruises can be part of expanding the season so Copenhagen can welcome cruise ships year round and be competitive in the winter and spring as well,” says Per Schmidt, Chairman of Cruise Copenhagen Network and General Manager, Copenhagen Malmö Port,
Previously, the cruise season began in early May and continued through the end of September. But, this year, the season continues through December.  Furthermore, the 2008 season begins in early April and the cruise lines already scheduled two Christmas cruises.
Interest in cruising Northern Europe has increased since 1992 when Cruise Copenhagen Network began its focused efforts on getting more cruise companies to choose Copenhagen. During the last five years, the number of cruise passengers has increased from 173,000 to 420,000. Website: www.cruisecopenhagen.com   

Study For  Enlargement of Boston’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal Underway
Boston’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal is being studied by the Massachusetts Port Authority for possible expansion. The terminal could double in size to accommodate the supersize cruise ships that will be debuting in the next couple of years. Reportedly, the $70 million project is being led by New York-based Cargo Ventures, with the new facility expected to be ready by the end of 2009. In 2007 Boston will have handled 101 cruise ships and 250,000 passengers and that number is expected to increase considerably in 2008.

New Berth For Large Cruise Ships Being Built In Warnemünde
New construction of the berth P8 in the Warnemünde Shipyard Basin is underway with the work being done by the consortium (ARGE) Züblin/Aarsleff. Total costs for the new berth is estimated at nearly $15 million. was awarded the contract for the construction.
ARGE began preparatory work on the site in Warnemünde at the end of August, and divers cleared a 400-meter-long stretch of the base of the old berth. The first phase of execution entails the construction of a sheet pile wall 320 meters long, set three meters in front of the old wall and anchored on land. This phase of construction includes the complete exchange of the water floor at the area of the stretch of sheet pile wall to a depth of 17 meters. Hard marl soil will be excavated and gravel will be filled in the overlapping bore holes.
Beginning in December, 17-meter-long sheet piles will be driven into the prepared bed. The gap between the old and new sheet pile wall will be filled in with gravel and sand and paved as a quay surface. At the beginning of next year, the water depth at the area around the berth will be dredged to around 10 meters, as necessary for navigation and maneuvering.
The second phase of execution lasting until the end of August 2008 entails the construction of an additional 145-meter length of the berth in the same manner. The configuration of the berth P8 will be modified so that following a 412-meter stretch of quay, a slight bend will be built to which an additional 53-meter quay length connects. Along with the waterside construction, the corresponding paving of the surfaces and adjustments of the berth will be carried out. “This new berth allows us to keep pace with the developments in the international cruise industry regarding ship size. Alone in next year’s cruise season, of the more than 100 cruise ships already registered, over 50 have a length of between 250 and 300 meters”, comments Ulrich Bauermeister, Managing Director of Hafen-Entwicklungsgesellschaft Rostock.

High Degree Of Satisfaction With Port Offerings In Rostock
Passengers and crew members spent around 5.8 million Euros in Rostock and the surrounding region during this year’s cruise season. This was among the results of a survey of 1,019 cruise passengers and 462 crew members commissioned by Hafen-Entwicklungsgesellschaft Rostock. The survey was carried out in Warnemünde by the University of Rostock under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Martin Benkenstein from May to  September 2007.
Of the 115,000 passengers recorded in 2007’s cruise season, 22,800 began and finished their cruise during the 16 changeovers carried out at the Warnemünde Cruise Center. A total of 76 port calls by cruise ships brought a total of 92,200 passengers to Warnemünde who further explored the region by means of guided or individual excursions. Overall, Warnemünde was visited by 25 different cruise ships from 21 different cruise shipping companies a total of 92 times this year. Of the approximately 47,000 crew members on board these ships, just over half of them came onto land during their layover in Warnemünde.
Of the 22,800 passengers who began and ended their cruise in Warnemünde, 494 were interviewed during the course of the survey. On a scale of 1 (very satisfied) to 5 (very dissatisfied), the passengers were asked to rate their overall satisfaction with Warnemünde as a cruise port, resulting in an average rating of 1.8. The passengers rated factors such as the terminal building, the development of the port area, the friendliness of the personnel, and the baggage check-in very highly. One factor of dissatisfaction among many passengers was the distance to a major airport. Of the 494 passengers interviewed, 31% mentioned the need for additional service offerings, of which food and beverage offerings at the Warnemünde Cruise Center were most widely requested.
29% of the change-over passengers interviewed reported an overnight stay in Rostock or the surrounding region either before or after their cruise; two-thirds of these before starting the cruise, and one-third upon returning to land.
Warnemünde welcomes guests from America and Britain
A total of 525 of the 92,200 passengers arriving at the 76 port calls by cruise ships in Warnemünde were interviewed during the course of the survey. Of those interviewed, 41 percent came from the USA, 37 percent from Great Britain and 12 percent from non-US America. The average age of the travelers was 59 years.
“The study of this year’s cruise season shows that cruise tourism generates significant revenues for the region, especially for retail shops. We are obviously pleased that the satisfaction rating of the cruise port Warnemünde was very high among passengers and crew members alike. Our cruise port has made a name for itself in recent years within the cruise industry. Warnemünde was visited by 25 different ships from 21 different cruise operators this year. This shows that the cruise port Warnemünde as well as the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern enjoy a high degree of awareness and popularity. Word has gotten around – internationally too – that our state is the most popular summer tourist destination in Germany. This is a significant argument for us as a port”, comments Ulrich Bauermeister, Managing Director of Hafen-Entwicklungsgesellschaft Rostock.

Newfoundland & Labrador Report Record Year For Cruises
The final numbers are in for the 2007 Newfoundland and Labrador cruise season. It was a record year with approximately 55,500 cruise passengers and crew visiting various ports. Several ships scheduled had to cancel due to poor weather.
The outlook for 2008 is even greater with a preliminary 57,500 scheduled passengers and crew to date and more activity expected to be added over the next few months. Highlights next year will include visits from Pearl Seas Cruises, a new cruise line offering high-end small ship cruising. In 2008 Pearl Seas 210 capacity passenger ship will visit St. John’s and Corner Brook as well as Port au Basques, Cape St. Mary’s and Francois. They have also planned a more extensive 14 day circumnavigation cruise in 2009. Corner Brook and the Bay of Islands region will see the return of Canadian Sailing Expeditions who is offering six cruises in the area. St. John’s is predicting its busiest cruise season to date. Returning in 2008 are Cruise North Expeditions, Adventure Canada, Polar Star, Quark Expeditions, and Wanderbird Cruises.
Following on the success of last year’s Exploration Cruise Forum, Cruise Newfoundland and Labrador has announced a second Cruise Forum to be held in Corner Brook from October 28-30, 2008. The goal of the planning committee is to attract even more expedition cruise line executives and to focus on showcasing the numerous product offerings Newfoundland and Labrador can deliver to the expedition cruise industry.

Strong Summer Traffic Performance For The UK Port of Dover
The Port of Dover experienced a strong summer traffic performance boosting throughput in the first nine months of 2007 as ferry travel regains popularity. More than 11.3 million passengers passed through the port in the period January-September, nearly four per cent more compared with 2006.
The growth was due to increasing numbers of cars and coaches passing through Europe’s busiest ferry port. Over 2.2 million cars was seven percent more than 2006 whilst coach journeys rose 500 to 84,600.
The number of lorries increased by one per cent to 1.7 million but the busy pre-Christmas period was showing early signs of picking up with over 200,000 lorry journeys in September. Website:  http://www.doverport.co.uk  

 

October, 2007

Bremerhaven's international breakthrough

With all Germany’s major cruise ports on a high following record seasons this year (see today’s Kiel story) Columbus Cruise Center Bremerhaven (CCCB) is also predicting growth in 2008. ‘We have 101 turnarounds next year – an increase of more than 40 resulting in over 130,000 passengers - a rise of at least 70% compared to 2007,’ explains Veit Hürdler, gm at CCCB.

Fourteen stops by MSC Cruises have won the port a breakthrough into the international market, he says. In addition, CCCB remains the home port for Germany’s Phoenix Reisen, Transocean Tours and Hansa Kreuzfahrten.

In 2008,16 ships will use CCCB for transit calls including those of Costa, Saga and Fred Olsen.

 

September, 2007

Work Begins On Hamburg’s New Cruise Terminal

Rendering of new cruise terminal slated to open in 2011

For Cruise Season 2007 the Hamburg Cruise Center will have had 89 ship calls totaling 140,000 passengers. An analysis shows that the figures will grow rapidly within the next years. For 2010 the Hamburg Cruise Center is expecting 140 calls and 300,000 cruise passengers. To handle the increasing numbers, a third berth at the cruise center is planned for 2009 and a new state-of-the-art cruise terminal is being built for a 2011 opening. More information on the Cruise Center at http://www.hamburgcruisecenter.de.

About Hamburg
Hamburg is built on the water’s edge. The port, waterways and canals and the Alster Lake in the city center lend the city a unique atmosphere. In the period from 1850 to 1939 the port of Hamburg was the gateway to a better life in a far-off country for five million people from all over Europe. Inspired by dreams and hopes, the emigrants boarded the ships that would take them across the ocean to America, where they hoped to build new and better lives for themselves.
The new BallinStadt Emigration World and Museum takes visitors to Hamburg on a highly moving trip back to the era of emigration. Located on the historical place of the former ‘emigrant's city’, built by the shipping company Hamburg-Amerika Linie, visitors can experience a truly unique ensemble, offering a new and innovative angle on transatlantic migration history. For all visitors planning to research their ancestry, the BallinStadt Family Research Center offers a truly unique source: the Hamburg Passenger Lists, covering the period 1850 to 1934. The largest entity of its kind in the world, the lists documents the names of some five million persons who departed Hamburg onboard emigrant vessels. www.ballinstadt.de
Originally founded in about 811, Hamburg is one of the great Hanseatic cities in Germany. The river Elbe, where its port is located, has been vital in shaping the city's development throughout history. Today Hamburg’s port is the second-largest container terminal in Europe and its Hafencity (harbor city) is Europe's largest urban construction project. The Überseequartier, HafenCity’s new downtown district, will soon become a vibrant, round-the-clock core with a mix of apartments, offices, shops, restaurants and entertainment spaces designed by renowned international architects.
Two additional cultural milestones are being laid here: the International Maritime Museum, which will be Hamburg’s second largest museum and the impressive Elbe Philarmonic Hall. The exceptional concert hall designed by renowned Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron will be located at the historically important Sandtor harbor, which was once Hamburg’s first industrial dock. Website: www.elbphilharmonie.de.  Visitors to Hamburg interested in the HafenCity can visit the information center situated in a former industrial boiler house at the Sandtorkai or go to www.hafencity.com .

Hamburg’s harbor
Close to the harbor, located in the district of St. Pauli, the Reeperbahn and the adjacent Große Freiheit streets became the mecca of rock music in the 1960s. It was here in clubs like the Top Ten or ‘tarclub where the Beatles played in their early days and launched their international career. The Reeperbahn is still one of Europe’s most famed nightlife areas. This buzzing entertainment district full of clubs, bars and theaters will definitely not disappoint visitors looking for some fun. And for all Beatles fans the Reeperbahn will offer another attraction soon: A monument dedicated to the famous pop band is to be erected near clubs where the band once played. The steel structure will represent John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, and early Beatle Stuart Sutcliffe, who died in Hamburg in 1962.
Exciting nights can also be spent in many other parts of Hamburg. Everywhere, from the city center to the Nobistor, from Eimsbuettel to Eppendorf, locals and visitors alike enjoy the vibrant club and bar scene in elegant to extravagant surroundings.
Explore Hamburg’s harbor with Landungsbrücken, the historical Speicherstadt and the new Hafencity or the district St. Pauli with the famous Reeperbahn with a virtual guide. Hamburg is the first German city to offer guided city tours via GPS navigating visitors through the city. As one of the world’s leading ports, media center and city of culture, Hamburg offers a unique and unrivalled wealth of experience. More information at www.hamburg-tourism.de  

Liverpool’s New Cruise Terminal Opens
The Queen Elizabeth 2, on her 40th birthday cruise, opened Liverpool's new cruise liner terminal on September 21. The formal event, in the presence of HRH the Duke of Kent, was also attended by UK government ministers and Carol Marlow, President of Cunard Line. The new terminal will allow the new larger cruise ships, to berth on the Mersey on a regular basis. The terminal, a replacement of Princes Dock, was built at a cost of £19 million. During the opening festivities, it was announced that the main bridge linking the terminal to the land will be named Cunard Way to commemorate the historic links with the company.

Panama Canal Expansion Breaks Ground
In early September, residents from every province of Panama and from across the globe to witness history: the beginning of the historic expansion of the Panama Canal. The crowd, totaling an estimated 30,000, included world leaders in business and government,  joined employees of the Panamanian government and the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) in the groundbreaking to celebrate the beginning of the first-ever expansion of the nearly 100-year-old waterway.
Expansion will build a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, which will double capacity and allow more traffic and longer, wider ships. The first project of the expansion is the dry excavation project on Paraiso Hill that begins the construction of the new Pacific Locks access channel. The new Pacific Locks access channel will ultimately connect the Gaillard Cut to the new Pacific Locks.
Carter."
In a national referendum October 22, 2006, Panamanians voted to expand the Canal, a momentous step that will ultimately secure their future and that of world trade. Expansion will double Canal capacity to more than 600 million Panama Canal tons, tighten the global supply chain and help get goods to market faster. After scores of analyses, studies and planning, expansion begins today. 
The Panama Canal services more than 144 different transportation routes from every corner of the globe, connecting major trading arteries and providing safe, time-saving and secure passage for all vessels. The expanded Canal will serve as a critical link to world commerce.
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the ACP is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors. For more information, please refer to the ACP's Web site: http://www.pancanal.com.

 

August, 2007

Seattle Port Backs Strict Standards for Ocean-Going Vessels
The Seattle Port Commission passed a resolution in August that endorses the US government's proposal for more stringent international rules for ocean-going vessels.
"We are taking action locally to make sure our seaport operations are the cleanest possible, while supporting more stringent national and international regulatory standards" said Commission President John Creighton. He noted conversions to cleaner fuels, engines and operating practices by the Port and its main customers, environmental restoration of polluted sites, and other initiatives. But he said some environmental improvements have to happen on an international basis, and that's why the commission endorsed U.S. proposals to the International Maritime Organization. "Changes of this sort will improve environmental conditions at ports all over the world," Creighton said, "and will make sure we all compete on a level playing field."
The Port joins a number of other industry partners in this effort, including the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, the World Shipping Council and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The Port is currently engaged with the Ports of Tacoma and Vancouver, B.C. to develop a common set of standards for air-emissions reductions in all three Northwest ports.
The US recommendation calls for:
-- Strict new emission limits for particulate matter and oxides of sulfur, beginning in 2011 and 2012.
-- Limits for oxides of nitrogen to achieve a 15 to 25 percent reduction beginning in 2011, and further limits in certain areas to achieve 80 percent reductions beginning in 2016. These would apply to new engines.
-- Limits for oxides of nitrogen on engines built before Jan. 1, 2000 that would achieve a 20 percent reduction. These standards would phase in beginning in 2010 and 2012.

Port of Hamburg Slated For Increase In Cruise Calls
This year, the Hamburg Cruise Center expects to welcome nearly 90 cruise calls and 140,000 passengers. The port is predicting that in 2010, there will be a total of 140 calls and 300,000 passengers.
To facilitate the rise in ships calling at the port, the Hamburg Cruise Center plans to build a third pier for 2009 and to open a new cruise terminal in 2011.

Costa Maya Suffers Extensive Damage from Hurricane Dean
Puerto Costa Maya took a direct hit in August from Dean, a Category 5 hurricane. Current estimates by authorities say the port will be closed for at least six months, and maybe longer. A spokesperson for the port says that half of the ship pier was wiped out.
An assessment of facilities is under way and more information will be provided soon.
Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. both use the port at Majahual, known as Puerto Costa Maya. Majahual suffered extensive damage when Dean swept over the Yucatan as a top-scale Category 5 hurricane demolishing houses, crumpling steel girders and washing away parts of concrete docks at the port.
Costa Maya has become a popular cruise destination since it began operating in 2001 to provide tourist access to historic Mayan sites.

 

July, 2007

Carnival Cruise Lines, Port of New Orleans Agree To Contract Extension
Carnival Cruise Lines and the Port of New Orleans announced a new two-year contract today retroactive to October 2006, with the option to renew the deal for an additional two-year period, which could keep the world’s largest cruise line sailing regularly from the Crescent City through 2010. “This shows Carnival’s commitment to the rebuilding of New Orleans and their confidence in the return of the City’s tourism industry,” said Gary LaGrange, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans. “Carnival is a trusted partner with the Port in our combined efforts to continue to revive New Orleans’ tourism industry.”
Under the terms of the contract, the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy, which replaced the Carnival Sensation in October of 2006, will make a minimum of 70 calls per year to the Port of New Orleans’ new $37 million Erato Street Cruise Terminal and Parking Garage. The ship sails four- and five-day cruises to the Western Caribbean year-round, with port calls in Cozumel and Costa Maya.
Carnival also plans to hold its quarterly meeting of national sales managers on September 24 and 25 in New Orleans to highlight the City’s rebounding tourism industry to its leading sales personnel.
An economic impact study found the cruise industry contributes $226 million annually to the regional economy and supports more than 2,800 jobs in Louisiana.

 

Palacruceros Terminal In Barcelona A Successful Venture For Costa Cruises
Just two months since opening in April, Costa’s new Palacruceros cruise terminal in Barcelona has welcomed 100,000 guests as of June 22. Costa finances and operates the terminal, which is slated to welcome 400,000 guests by the end of 2007. The milestone was officially reached on June 22.
Of the first 100,000 guest movements, Costa’s ships carried a total of 62,000, in large part due to weekly calls by the flagship Costa Concordia (total guest capacity: 3,780) and the Costa Fortuna (total guest capacity: 3,470), which operate cruises from the port during the summer The other 40,000 guests were accounted for by ships belonging to other Carnival Corporation & plc cruise lines.  “After two months of activity and having operated various types of ships inside the Carnival Corporation & plc cruise fleets, we can proudly say that Palacruceros Barcelona is not only a wonderful facility, but a truly functional building where all of the cruise lines’ operational expectations can be met,” said Sandra Yunta, General Manager of the Palacruceros. “We easily handle ships carrying over 3,000 guests on a regular basis with an excellent level of satisfaction both from the guests and the staff working at the terminal.”
Barcelona is one of Europe’s major cruise ports. From January through May 2007 the Catalan port welcomed nearly 400,000 cruisers, up 37 percent from the corresponding figure for last year. In May alone, there were some 217,000 cruise guests, an increase of 30% compared to May 2006.   
Palacruceros was inaugurated on April 24 and represents an investment of 12 million euros on behalf of Costa. It is located in an area of approximately 5,500 square meters on the Adosado pier/Terminal D. The Port of Barcelona, which has given Costa a 25-year concession on the site, has a total of seven terminals exclusively for cruise traffic use.
The new terminal can accommodate cruise ships of any tonnage, length and capacity, including the largest ships currently in service (140,000-plus gross tonnage).  The facility features four levels with a total area of approximately 10,000 m2, over half of which is covered.  The pier measures in at 300 meters long and 20 meters wide.  Thanks to the novel architecture, which is wonderfully light and airy, and to the extremely functional use of the interior, Palacruceros guarantees cruisers high quality services.  The terminal was designed by Luigi Vicini and Andrea Piazza from Studio Vicini, a Genoa-based firm of architects, and with the support of the Barcelona engineering firm Sener for the detailed design.  The actual construction work was carried out by the Spanish building contractor Sacyr.
Costa is the first European company to implement a policy of direct cruise terminal management. In addition to the Palacruceros project, Costa also manages cruise terminals in Savona, Italy, and La Romana, Dominican Republic and has agreements signed with the port authorities in Naples and Civitavecchia.
More information on Barcelona’s port is at http://www.apb.es/en/PORT/Cruises/Terminals/Terminal_D_Moll_Adossat.

 

June, 2007

Manhattan Cruise Terminals

New York City Cruise Terminals Recognized As Nation’s Best
New York City Economic Development Corporation announced this month that New York City’s two cruise terminals were honored with three awards by two travel publications and one of the nation’s premier cruise lines.
The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal was selected as Best New U.S. Homeport by Porthole Cruise Magazine and Best Turnaround Port by Princess Cruise Lines, while the Brooklyn and Manhattan Cruise Terminals were together chosen by the editors at TravelAge West as Best US Homeport. The awards follow the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal’s first season of operation and ongoing investments in the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, both of which paved the way for more than one million passengers to come through the City's cruise facilities for the first time ever in 2006.
The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal opened in April 2006 and is located in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn directly across from Governors Island, with views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. The $56 million terminal serves as Carnival Corporation’s berth of choice in the New York region for its Princess and Cunard lines and is uniquely situated within 12 miles from LaGuardia Airport, 16 miles from Newark International Airport and 20 miles from JFK International Airport. Brooklyn Cruise Terminal saw 41 ship calls and 186,000 passengers in 2006 and about 52 ship calls and 225,000 passengers are expected in 2007.
Renovations are underway at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal so it too can accommodate today’s larger ships and provide an enhanced passenger experience. Prior to the completion of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, the city had limited capacity to handle today’s larger post-Panamax ships. Once renovations in Manhattan are complete, the City will be able to handle four post-Panamax ships at one time – three in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn. Renovations are underway in phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by Spring 2008.
The cruise industry supports more than 3,300 direct and indirect jobs in New York City, and generates total economic activity of about $600 million per year. That is expected to grow to $1.2 billion per year by 2014. In 2007, more than 1.1 million cruise passengers are expected to travel through New York City.
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is the City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs.

Carnival Officially Kicks Off San Diego’s First Year-Round Cruise Program
Carnival Cruise Lines and the Port of San Diego commemorated the launch of the port’s first year-round cruise program.  Carnival’s Elation recently began operating San Diego’s first and only year-round cruise program encompassing four-day cruises departing Thursdays to Cabo San Lucas and five-day cruises to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada departing on Mondays and Saturdays, on a rotating schedule.   Commented Sylvia Rios, chair of the board of port commissioners for the Port of San Diego, “The partnership between the Port of San Diego and Carnival Cruise Lines benefits the entire region of San Diego.  Having a year-round homeported vessel here offers cruisers more travel opportunities while providing the region with added economic benefits.”   

Regent Seven Seas Christens Newest Cruise Destination, Campbell River, BC
Regent Seven Seas Cruises inaugurated Canada's new Campbell River cruise ship terminal on June 5, 2007 as part of its 2007 Alaska cruise season. Overlooking Discovery Passage on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, this new cruise destination is an initiative of the Campbell River Indian Band, also known as the Wei Wai Kum, and is the first aboriginal cruise ship terminal in the world. The 700-guest all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner will be the first and only ship in 2007 to call in Campbell River - the "Salmon Capital of the World" - which offers an intimate opportunity to experience British Columbia's unspoiled natural beauty and authentic Aboriginal culture.
The Wei Wai Kum Cruise Ship Terminal is an initiative of the Campbell River Indian Band and has been designed to reflect the rich architectural traditions of Canadian West Coast First Nations. In November 2005, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) invested $3.2M in the construction of a cruise ship dock facility in Campbell River, BC. WD is now investing in the construction of the Campbell River Cruise Ship marketplace and staging area, which will be used to introduce visitors to Kwakuitl culture and traditions, provide retail space for aboriginal businesses and entrepreneurs catering to cruise ship passengers, and provide opportunities for visitors to purchase locally-made products including food, arts, crafts, and other retail goods. The cruise ship terminal project was the result of an unprecedented collaborative effort between all levels of government to diversify the economies of BC's coastal communities that have been severely damaged from the demise of the fishery and forestry industries, by assisting them to attract and expand B.C.'s cruise ship industry.

Gloucester, Massachusetts Cruise Terminal Opens

At the heart of Cape Ann, just 30 miles north of Boston) Gloucester remains both the oldest fishing community in the US and home to the oldest art colony in North America. Now it has its own cruise terminal. Three cruise lines are scheduled to call in 2007.  Cruiseport Gloucester offers state-of-the-art facilities infused with old New England Charm. The site will also serve as a venue for weddings and conferences. Website: http://www.cruiseportgloucester.com/

Le Havre, France Welcomes Opens Its New Cruise Center
A new cruise welcome center recently opened in the port city of  Le Havre on France’s western coast in Normandy. Located at Pointe de Floride, facing the port entrance, the building was originally used as a maritime station by French line Compagnie des Chargeurs Réunis, which ceased operations in 1972.
At a cost of some €3 million, the new facility, painted in a vivid coral red, includes Wi-fi points, car rental, and a shuttle-bus service to the town. The port authority intends to also use the facility for turnaround calls in the near future.
Le Havre was until 1970 the main French port for transatlantic sailings, before Atlantic crossings gave way to the power of the jet plane. In the 1990s, cruise ships began to call and the port once again became viable.
In 2007, 50 visits are scheduled including first calls by Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, Aida Cruises’ AIDAdiva and Holland America’s Veendam with some 87,000 passengers expected. Princess, Royal Caribbean, Costa and Cunard cruise lines are among regular visitors.

 

May, 2007

Pacific Northwest Ports Join Forces to Reduce Maritime Air Emissions
The ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, Canada have proposed performance goals to reduce particulate matter by 70 percent from ships at berth and 30 percent from cargo handling equipment, according to the Pacific Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy announcement this month. The strategy proposes performance goals aimed at reducing diesel emissions and greenhouse gases from port-related sources.
The three ports plan to accomplish the emissions reduction goals for ships and cargo handling equipment by 2010. The strategy also will address emissions from port-related truck, train and harbor craft activity and includes long-term goals for additional emissions reductions.  “The three ports have agreed to work together to cut maritime air emissions because the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin air shed is where we all live and breathe,” said Tay Yoshitani, CEO of the Port of Seattle. “Working collaboratively is the best way to do the job.”
“Because ports are in or near major cities, protecting air quality is a top public health priority,” added Elin Miller, EPA Northwest Regional Administrator. “Thanks to the commitment and hard work of our partners, Pacific Northwest ports are poised to become a ‘safe harbor’ of cleaner air, allowing all Puget Sound and Georgia Basin residents to breathe a little easier.”
The inventory – the most extensive study of its type ever completed in the United States – was the work of a broad range of partners in the public and private sectors. It identified the nature and sources of maritime-related air emissions from the Canada-United States border to south Puget Sound. The data in the inventory was collected in 2005, establishing the baseline against which future reductions in emissions will be measured.
As the emissions reduction plan is further developed, the three ports will identify specific performance goals and emissions reduction targets for port-related trucking, rail and harbor craft (ferries, tug boats, etc.) activities. Goals already have been proposed for ocean-going vessels and cargo-handling equipment. Performance goals set clear targets but do not prescribe how to reach those targets.
The plan will be submitted in the fall to the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma Commissions and to the Vancouver Port Authority Board of Directors for final approval in December.

US Public Ports Welcome Much Needed Security Funds
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), which represents public ports throughout the Western Hemisphere, welcomed the announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this month that it will award $202,269,793 in federal grants to help 183 public and private entities improve security in and around port facilities. Congress appropriated $210 million for the Port Facility Grant program in fiscal year 2007, although $1.4 million was moved to the Ferry Security Grant program and three percent was allowed for administrative purposes.
For the Fiscal 2007 grant program, DHS’s Press Package only released information by port area, and included a comparison of Port Security Grant funds allocated from FY’02-FY’07. For this “Overview: FY’2007 Infrastructure Protection Program Final Awards,” see http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1178811654577.shtm . A full list of recipients is available on AAPA’s web page at http://www.aapa-ports.org .
As in previous years, the funds will be distributed based on a prioritization of risk, although this year the program separated ports into four risk tiers and pre-assigned funds for Tier I port areas, which received 60 percent of the funds. Unlike the last two rounds, all port areas were eligible to apply, a priority of AAPA’s that was included in last year’s SAFE Port Act. The pre-allocation of funds for Tier I ports resulted in a limit on the amount of funds and projects applied for.
The security grants will not only assist marine facilities in paying for things like landside surveillance, access controls, interoperable communications and systems to prevent and detect improvised explosive device attacks, but will also provide much needed funds to pay for training as well as technology and equipment to test and install Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card readers for facilities.
The American Association of Port Authorities was founded in 1912 and today represents 160 of the leading public port authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, the Association represents 300 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest in the seaports of the Western Hemisphere. AAPA port members are public entities mandated by law to serve public purposes. Port authorities facilitate waterborne commerce and contribute to local, regional and national economic growth.
American Association of Port Authorities is located at
1010 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-3589. Email: info@aapa-ports.org

Port Canaveral To Develop New Portwide Radio Communications System
Port Canaveral will develop a new port-wide radio communications system, as well as construct the first phase of a new Emergency Operations Center on the Port’s north side with its $2.8 million grant awarded in the latest round of Port Security Grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is the largest grant DHS has awarded to Port Canaveral and almost double the previous high amount received in 2002. “Few things are as important as the ability to communicate across and between our several layers of internal and external security,” says Stan Payne, CEO of Port Canaveral. “Our new system, combined with changes we’ve already made, will increase our effectiveness both in everyday operations and in times of crisis.”
Nearly $1.8 million of this year’s grant will help Port Canaveral fund the state-of-the-art radio communications network. The remaining $1 million will provide initial financial support for a new Emergency Operations Center on the Port’s north side.
Since the first round of grants in 2002, Port Canaveral has received a total of $6.5 million, including this latest amount.  The Department of Homeland Security funding for seaports this year totaled $202 million. It was divided among 183 public and private ports, including Canaveral. 

 

Stockholm Expects Record Cruise Season In 2007
In a sign of Stockholm's increasing popularity as a cruise destination, a record number of cruise lines and inaugural port calls are scheduled for the Ports of Stockholm in 2007. This summer the Swedish capital also welcomes for the first time Adriatic Cruises' Dalmacija, AIDA Cruises' AIDA Aura and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Navigator of the Seas.
The Stockholm Cruise Network anticipates hosting an estimated 290,000 passengers from 253 cruise ship calls between May 13 and September 30, of which 27 are turnaround calls. Overall, 2007 represents the fifth consecutive year of passenger growth at Stockholm, and more than 100 percent increase in the number of passengers served in 2002, which totaled 135,000. "With a seafaring tradition dating back more than 750 years, it's no surprise that Stockholm has developed a solid cruise industry today," said Christel Wiman, chief executive officer for the Ports of Stockholm. (To accommodate the increase cruise activity, the Ports of Stockholm have begun planning a 975,000-square-foot cruise terminal that is schedule to open in mid-2008.) "As the cruise Mecca of the Baltic, Stockholm is attractive because it's geographically compact, and the main attractions, cafès and shops are easily accessible by walking or public transportation. Most Swedes speak English and are friendly and hospitable to international visitors."
Cruise passengers visiting July 27-30 will have the opportunity to see and visit the world's largest sailing vessels that will be participating in the annual Tall Ship Races. Stockholm is to host the yachts for four days during a long weekend packed with festivities. The competition draws international visitors together to celebrate the Baltic region's maritime heritage and culture every year.
Cruise ships calling at the Swedish capital this summer include Adriatic Cruises' Dalmacija; AIDA Cruises' AIDA Aura; Celebrity Cruises' Century and Constellation; Costa Cruises' Atlantica, Classica and Magica; Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony; Hansa Kreuzfahrten's Dalmacija; Holland America Line's Prinsendam, Rotterdam and Veendam; MSC Cruises' Opera; Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Dream; P and O Cruises' Aurora; Princess Cruises' Star Princess; Oceania Cruises' Regatta; Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Voyager; Residensea's World; Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Navigator of the Seas; Seabourn Cruise Line's Seabourn Pride, and Silverseas Cruises' Silver Shadow and Silver Wind.
With 27 turnaround calls this season, more cruise passengers will have time to explore Stockholm before or after their cruise. Whether their activity of choice is a lunchtime ferry through the archipelago of 24,000 islands, a stroll through Gamla Stan, or Old Town, a visit to one of Stockholm's many museums or shopping for fine crystal or Scandinavian design products, there is plenty to do and see. Website: www.stockholmcruise.com
The Stockholm Cruise Network was created to enhance awareness of Stockholm as a cruise port and tourist destination among U.S. travel agents, consumers and cruise lines. Members include the Stockholm Visitors Board, Ports of Stockholm and an extensive local network that includes Scandinavian Airlines System, Stockholm Arlanda International Airport and numerous port agents, ground operators, local transportation companies, hotels and shops.

Other port developments recently announced:
-- A new ship terminal for the Port of Lisbon that can accommodate as many as five cruise ships. It is expected to be completed in 2008.
-- A new cruise terminal is being developed for the Canadian port city of Saguenay on the St. Lawrence River for completion in 2008.
-- The Port of Copenhagen will invest an estimated $40 million in a new dock to allow for cruise-ship turnarounds. The facility is scheduled to be completed in 2009.

 

 

2007 Atlantic Canada Cruise Season

April, 2007

Norfolk, Virginia’s $36 Million Cruise Facility Opens

 Rendering of new cruise facility

Norfolk’s crescent-shaped marina, initially used as a fort to protect the growing maritime industry during the mid-1700s, is now the site of the city’s newest attraction.  The Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center, a $36 million, 80,000-square-foot cruise facility opened April 7 and welcome its first passenger ship April 28. The center will offer East Coast travelers the convenience and accessibility one would expect from a state-of-the-art cruise ship terminal.  With sailings from Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International, the Half Moone, built by the City of Norfolk, will aid vacationers, particularly in the mid-Atlantic region, in traveling to exotic locations such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada, without having to fly or drive to an inconvenient ship terminal location. 
While catering to those within a reasonable driving distance, Norfolk’s Half Moone will also provide an estimated 60 percent of passengers, who come from as far away as Florida and Texas, with an embarking location for their cruise destination. Others are expected to come via plane, train or auto from cities in nearby mid-Atlantic states, such as Richmond, Virginia, located 90 miles from Norfolk; Washington D.C., which is less than 200 miles away; or Baltimore, Maryland. and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, both located about 250 miles away. As a result of this growth, Norfolk has equipped the Half Moone with passenger-friendly amenities and designs to make travelers feel at ease and stress-free, including state-of-the-art embarkation (check-in) stations and a separate VIP check-in area.
The Half Moone will also serve as a premier venue for special events offering more than 23,000 square feet of interior event space, including a 13,500-square-foot Half Moone Vista, which will display facts about the original fort and a 1,100-square-foot Bermuda Room equipped with the latest audio/visual capabilities and displaying artifacts and objects that tell the story of the historic connection between Virginia and Bermuda. Outside, the Half Moone will feature a 3,400-square-foot Promenade Deck overlooking the Elizabeth River and a 9,600-square-foot Lido Deck with panoramic views of downtown Norfolk.
The Half Moone is also expected to increase the drive-to cruise appeal of residents in the Midwest, where this kind of accessibility and convenience has not been available to cruise-seeking vacationers before.  With an easy-access port from which to disembark, Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center is designed to eliminate the stress of ‘in-between’ travel, which includes traveling long distances in order to access an available harbor.
The following is the 2007 schedule of sailings from Norfolk’s new terminal:
April 28 – Royal Caribbean International: 7 nights in Bermuda
May 5, 12, 19 and 26 – Royal Caribbean International: 7 nights in Bermuda
June 2 – Royal Caribbean International: 8 nights in Bermuda
June 9 – Carnival Cruise Lines: 6 days in the Bahamas
June 10 – Carnival Cruise Lines: 2-day ‘Cruise-to-Nowhere’
June 16 – Royal Caribbean International: 6 nights in Bermuda
June 30 – Royal Caribbean International: 7 nights in Bermuda
July 7 and 14 – Royal Caribbean International: 7 nights in Bermuda
July 21 – Royal Caribbean International: 5 nights in Bermuda
October 7 – Carnival Cruise Lines: 6 days in the Bahamas
October 13 – Carnival Cruise Lines: 2-day ‘Cruise-to-Nowhere’
October 22 – Fed Olson Cruise Line
October 25 – Seabourn Cruise Line
October 28 – Princess Cruise Lines
Norfolk: From the Sea to Shining Scene of Culture & Leisure ~
Welcoming visitors for the past 400 years, the city of Norfolk enjoys a storied past attracting travelers seeking an exciting vacation blending history and heritage with contemporary activities and attractions.  Home to the largest Naval base in the world, Norfolk pays homage to its affinity and affection for its waterfront location by showcasing an easily walkable downtown district that offers eclectic dining options, burgeoning arts scene, high-end shopping, and year-round special events attracting thousands of travelers. For more information about Norfolk, visit the city on the Web at www.norfolkcvb.com , or call 757-664-6620 or toll free at 800-368-3097.

Costa Inaugurates New Cruise Terminal In Port Of Barcelona
Costa officially opened its new “Palacruceros” cruise terminal in April with an inaugural ceremony in Barcelona. The new Palacruceros terminal in Barcleona occupies a nearly 6,000 square-foot stretch of the Muelle Adosado quay. The Port of Barcelona granted a 25-year concession over the area to Costa, which is now equipped to accommodate cruise ships of all tonnage, length and capacity, including the largest currently in service (over 140,000 gross tonnage). The Italian company has invested approximately 12 million Euros in the new terminal for preferential use by Costa and other companies in the Carnival Corporation group.
The inauguration of the Palacruceros Terminal means Costa is the first company in Europe to implement a policy for undertaking direct management of cruise terminals. This is also evident in its investment and direct management of terminals in Savona and La Romana (Dominican Republic), and the agreements it has reached with the Port Authorities of Naples and Civitavecchia.
The new terminal was built on four levels, covering a total area of approximately 107,000 square feet. With its architecture, characterized by light and glazed surfaces, and the excellent, functional layout of its interior spaces, passengers are guaranteed maximum comfort and top-quality services during their visits. Passenger safety and protection for the environment are just two of the factors that were given priority during the development of the project. Among the facilities the terminal provides for the convenience of guests are a Children's Club, Internet Café, a shopping area, a VIP lounge and a cafeteria and terrace with panoramic views. The terminal is designed to make the time passengers guests embarking and disembarking as convenient and comfortable as possible.
The new cruise terminal will also house Costa’s office in Barcelona, which features a staff of 20 employees.
Barcelona has forecasted a total of 1.6 million cruisers in 2007 (with more than 20 percent coming from Costa). Moreover, Costa is the leading European cruise company in Spain. In 2006, Costa’s Spanish guests amounted to around 20 percent of all Spanish cruisers. The company has two commercial offices in Spain – one in Barcelona and the other in Madrid – both engaged in the promotion, marketing and sales of Costa cruises throughout the country.

Stockholm To Build Scandinavia's Most Modern Cruise Terminal
Plans to build a state-of-the-art cruise terminal for Stockholm, Sweden have been approved by the Ports of Stockholm board of directors who announced an expected completion for the beginning of the 2008 cruise season. The terminal, located at Frihamnen, is the Stockholm's first purpose-built cruise facility with 3,000 square meters (975,000 square feet) in area.
Magazine 9 on the Frihamnen Pier is to undergo a complete interior and exterior renovation in a modern Swedish design style. The terminal will include a café, Internet access, shops, a departures hall, customs and luggage handling facilities.
Every year hundreds of international cruise liners call at Stockholm during the summer season. The number of calls is growing steadily, and more than 300,000 cruise ship passengers are expected in the run-up to the 2007 season. "This represents an extremely important tourist segment for Stockholm's ever-growing tourism industry," observed Martin Rosborg, managing director of Stockholm Visitors Board. "A good first impression ensures satisfied ambassadors for Stockholm as a destination."
The initial steps in construction already are under way to ensure completion in time for the 2008 cruise season, which extends from May to October. The port is considering alternative potential uses for the terminal during the winter months.
The Ports of Stockholm jointly make up the largest seaport complex in the Baltic Sea, with ports at Kapellskär, Stockholm and Nynäshamn. A new container and roll-on/roll-off port is being planned for Nynäshamn at Norvikudden.
The combined ports have approximately 250 employees. Turnover in 2006 amounted to MSEK 639 (US$96 million). Operations encompass services to shipping as well as the letting of quay berths, land and premises. More information is available at www.stockholmshamnar.se .

2007 Cruise Season sets sail at Cruiseport Boston
Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) officially opened the 2007 cruise season Sunday, April 15th with the arrival of the Saga Ruby for an overnight port-of-call. This year’s season runs through December 17th, and so far anticipates 103 ship calls with roughly 250,000 travelers passing through Cruiseport Boston with 15 cruise lines offering an assortment of New England/Canada, Bermuda, Caribbean, and trans-Atlantic itineraries.
New this year to the Port of Boston will be the inaugural visit by Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest Jewel-Class ship the Gem. Carrying 2400 passengers and weighing 93,000 gross tons, she is one of nine brand new cruise ships entering the North American market. Additional new Boston ports-of-call include NCL’s Norwegian’s Spirit, Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas, and Classic International Cruises’ Athena. “This cruise season promises to be a busy one with a 20 percent increase over last year in leisure travelers through Cruiseport Boston,” said Mike Leone, Massport’s Port Director.
Last autumn, Massport issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to developers and cruise lines for construction of a new cruise terminal in South Boston.  A modern two terminal/berth facility would complement and enhance the emerging Seaport District, and accommodate the consistent growth of Boston’s cruise industry since the first cruise ship called port in the 1980’s. Several cruise lines have expressed interest in calling Boston year-round. Website: http://www.massport.com

Puerto Costa Maya expands innovative shore excursion program
Costa Maya, the fastest growing port in Mexico, continues to expand its unique excursion program offerings with the addition of the Dolphin Dream Experience and various cultural tours in partnership with some of the region's leading tourist attractions.
The Dolphin Dream Experience is part of a joint venture with the Rivera Maya's world renowned eco-park Xcaret, and is featured in a facility right next to Costa Maya in the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea. The tour, led by bilingual naturalists, allows visitors the rare opportunity to swim and learn about dolphins in their natural habitat.
Expert trainers provide a complete explanation about dolphin anatomy, psychology, nature and their unique ways of communicating under water. The dolphins also perform incredible flips and jumps with visitors in the water and guests will be allowed to seal their connection to the dolphins with a kiss. "The new Dolphin Dream Experience and cultural tours provide exclusive and educational opportunities for our visitors to interact and swim with dolphins," said Cesar Lizarraga, director of sales and marketing for Costa Maya.  "With more than a million passengers having already visited our shores, we know hat innovative shore excursions such as these are fundamental in continuing our success."
With an expanded selection of cultural tours, Costa Maya now offers visitors an even closer look into the ancient Mayan history that surrounds the port. The excursions are designed to uncover the natural beauty and rich history of the land while guests explore the ruins of Mayan cities, trek through sub-tropical rain forests and discover prehistoric waterways.
Excursion offerings include:
-- Kohunlich and Dzibanche Mayan Ruins—exploration of some of the finest -examples of Mayan architecture in the world
-- Chetumal Mayan Cultural Museum—explore the ruins of Oxtankah
-- Mayan Cultural Encounter Tour—trek through beautiful tropical rainforests while learning about the exotic plant and animal life that inhabits this rich land
-- Bacalar Lake and Spanish Fort—tour the region's remote Bacalar Lake, known as the” Birthplace of the Rainbow" and the nearby ancient Spanish Fort
-- Mayan Reality Tour—visitors are transported into the heart of a true Mayan town for visits with an actual Mayan family Costa Maya is the Caribbean's first port designed exclusively for the cruise industry.
This once ancient Mayan port of call now attracts all of the industry's major cruise ship operators including: Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Sun Cruises, P&O Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Windstar Cruises, Seabourn and MSC Cruises.
Sheltered by the second largest coral reef in the world, Costa Maya transports passengers from the pier to a 70,000 square foot state-of-the-art Mayan entertainment complex where they can choose from local crafts, jewelry and leather goods to a wide range of sea and shore excursions. In addition, the destination features palm-lined Uvero Beach, saltwater pools, eight daily Mexican folkloric amphitheater shows, spa services, restaurants and a lobster house and several bars. More information at http://www.puertocostamaya.com.

Seattle’s 2007 Cruise Season Brings New Ships, New Environmental Protections
The Port of Seattle’s 2007 cruise season opened April 23 with the arrival of Holland America Line's Zaandam at Terminal 30 and the Celebrity Cruise Line's Mercury at Pier 66. A new agreement between the Port and the cruise lines means that all cruise ships homeported in Seattle will use shore power or low sulfur fuel while docked. The air emissions agreement follows a similar agreement among the cruise lines, the Port and the Washington State Department of Ecology regarding wastewater discharges. It went into effect in 2004.
A total of 190 vessel calls will bring a record 754,605 passengers to Seattle this season. Nine ships will be homeported in Seattle. The Port's cruise business has grown steadily from just six ships and 6,600 passengers in 1999.
Among the vessels offering seven-day round trip to cruises to Alaska from Seattle this year are three ships new to Seattle - Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Pearl, Holland America's Noordam and Princess Cruises' Golden Princess. Returning vessels include Holland's Oosterdam and Amsterdam, Norwegian's Norwegian Star, Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas and Princess' Sun Princess. Celebrity Cruises' Mercury will be back in Seattle at the end of the season with 13 three- and four-day cruises to British Columbia - extending the season into November for the first time.
A new service allowing passengers to check-in for their return flight aboard the ship before they disembark also will debut in Seattle this season. Luggage is sent directly from passenger cabins to the airport, giving cruisers a chance to enjoy the Seattle area before returning home.
"Seattle's cruise industry demonstrates that economic growth and environmental protection are compatible, achievable goals," said Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani. "The cruise industry is responsible for nearly 2,000 jobs, more than $60 million in annual payroll and $6 million in state and local tax revenues," Yoshitani said. "And the voluntary controls placed on air emissions and wastewater discharges help protect the beautiful environment cruise passengers come here to enjoy."
Seattle Delays Opening Of New Terminal
Despite the increase in cruise activity expected at the Port of Seattle, the port is delaying the opening of the new cruise facility at Terminal 91 by a year, to April 2009. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the postponement is due to a challenge of the project’s environmental impact statement, along with possible construction issues. The port plans to revert to container operations at Terminal 30, so Princess Cruises and Holland America Line were scheduled to relocate to Terminal 91. Instead, the two lines will remain at 30 for another year.
Terminal 91 is further from the airport than Terminal 30, a negative for the cruise operators, who also oppose a fee hike to pay for the new facility. 
Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International will continue to sail from Pier 66. Website: http://www.portseattle.org

More Cruise Visits For St. Kitts Predicted For 2008
Continuing to demonstrate its readiness to welcome international visitors to its shores, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority has announced that its cruise arrivals will increase by over 70 percent in 2008. This increase is largely due to the addition of the Carnival Destiny to the island’s cruise ship roster, which will be the first cruise ship to call at St. Kitts on a weekly year-round basis.
The Carnival Destiny will bring 130,000 passengers next year to St. Kitts, beginning with its first call on January 10, 2008. The ship will spend a full day in port. “We are approaching the 400,000 annual passenger milestone in the growth of St. Kitts’ cruise tourism industry,” Ricky Skerritt, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture was quoted as saying in the South Florida Caribbean press. “However, increasing the number of passenger arrivals is not our biggest concern. We are more concerned about seasonality, sustainability and the quality of visitor experience and visitor expenditure.” 
More information on St. Kitts is available at http://www.stkittstourism.kn.

 

March, 2007

Hamburg Cruise Center Becoming Most Important Cruise Port in Germany
Hamburg is rapidly becoming the most important cruise port in Germany, with passengers and ships at an all-time high, and the explosive growth expected to continue well into the next decade, Hamburg Cruise Center (HCC) Managing Director Dirk Moldenhauer announced this month at the Seatrade Shipping Convention. The number of cruise ship passengers visiting Hamburg in 2007 will reach an estimated 140,292, a 72 percent increase over 2006.  In addition, the number of cruise ship calls will be up by 12 percent from 2006, which also was a record-setting year for the port. 
This year, the greatest number of passengers and ships in Hamburg Cruise Center’s (HCC) history will visit Germany’s second largest city, with ever larger ships carrying more passengers.  In addition, two cruise lines, AIDA Cruises and Royal Caribbean Lines (RCCL), will make Hamburg their new hub.
Even more significantly, HCC projections indicate port calls will double until at least 2010, when Hamburg’s new 1,200-square-meter terminal, in the historic HafenCity, will open for business.  By 2020, Hamburg Cruise Center expects 250 cruise ship calls annually, bringing 600,000 passengers to the “cradle of cruising.”
To keep up with this burgeoning growth, Moldenhauer said Hamburg Cruise Center is working with city officials to build a third terminal for megaships that will be ready for the 2009 season. 
In 2006, nearly 82,000 passengers came through Hamburg, a 114 percent growth over 2005.  They were serviced at two terminals, one of which opened last year to accommodate the escalating numbers of visitors to this beautiful Hanseatic City. “Hamburg is bursting out as the principal port for Germany and for Northern Europe,” Moldenhauer said.  “Hamburg offers numerous historic attractions, museums, and a wide range of popular and classical entertainment to visitors, and we have the capacity to handle the growing number of megaships that are sailing the seas.” 
The Hamburg Cruise Center, where cruise lines dock in Hamburg, is headquartered in the Hafen City or harbor city, which features an expanding array of tourist attractions and serves as a gateway to the historic warehouse district and scenic downtown.
Royal Caribbean and AIDA Cruises To Make Hamburg Their Hub
Demonstrating its new prominence as Germany’s most important cruise port, Hamburg will become the hub for two major international cruise lines, launch a new ship, host four December cruise ships with holiday shoppers, and welcome seven ships on maiden visits to the city. Hamburg Cruise Center Managing Director Dirk Moldenhauer said, “We are delighted that AIDA Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line are making Hamburg, the birthplace of cruising, their new home.  Having their hub in Hamburg will allow these two cruise lines to better serve the large number of Germans who enjoy cruising and to bring more visitors to Hamburg.”
On April 20 in Hamburg, AIDA Cruises will launch its newest ship, the AIDAdiva, the first of four club cruisers the internationally renowned Meyer Werft shipyard is building for the company. “Everyone will be smiling the day when the AIDAdiva, the first of AIDA Cruises’ new generation of famously smiling ships, is launched.  The christening, which will feature a spectacular light show, fireworks, and barge trips on the Elbe River, will be the highlight of 2007 in Hamburg,” said Moldenhauer,
With a capacity to carry 2,050 passengers in 1,025 cabins, the 315 million Euro, 68,500-gross ton AIDAdiva will have an operating speed exceeding 21 knots.
In another first for Hamburg, four cruise ships will bring passengers from England to Germany’s second largest city for Christmas shopping.  On December 14, P&O Cruises’ Artemis will make her maiden visit to Hamburg, and on December 18, Cunard Line’s newest ocean liner, Queen Victoria, will visit the city for the first time.
Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Black Watch also will transport holiday visitors to Hamburg from England, December 10 and 13-15, respectively.
The 45,000-gross ton Artemis is the smallest member of the P&O Cruises fleet, with a capacity of 1,260 passengers  Friendly, intimate and child-free, Artemis is the first ship in British history to be named at sea.
The 2,014-passenger, 90,000-gross ton Queen Victoria is a sister ship to the QE 2 and Queen Mary 2, both of which will dock in the Hanseatic City this year.  The QV will stop in Hamburg on a sold-out, maiden trip to five Northern European festive markets, shortly after her December launch and before her 2008 Maiden World Cruise.
In addition to AIDAdiva, Artemis, and Queen Victoria, Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony, MSC’s Lirica, Hurtigruten’s (Norwegian Coastal Voyage) Nordkapp, and P&O’s Oceana will make maiden stops in Hamburg this year.
Hamburg Cruise Center, where cruise lines dock in Hamburg, is headquartered in the Hafen City or harbor city, which features an expanding array of tourist attractions and serves as a gateway to the historic warehouse district and scenic downtown.

Port Authority Celebrates New Headquarters
Nearly 200 civic, industry, and community leaders joined Port Commissioners and staff to celebrate the opening and dedication of the Port Canaveral Maritime Center, new headquarters for the Canaveral Port Authority.  Formerly home to Premier Cruise Lines, the three-story building was renovated to accommodate the Port Authority’s 200-plus employees. The headquarters previously was located in an outdated 1950s facility that housed the Port’s three original employees.  The building had undergone several extensions during the past several decades. It has been placed on the market for sale. “Now that we have realized the longtime goal of providing a quality environment for Port operations, we now will focus on making the new Port Canaveral Heritage Center a reality,” announced Tom Goodson, chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners.  “It will be dedicated to the maritime history of Port Canaveral and will serve as a vital component of plans to transform Port Canaveral into a tourist destination.”

Gulf Of Bothnia Marketing Alliance Expands
Growing interest in cold-water cruising to the picturesque coastal towns surrounding the Gulf of Bothnia—between Sweden and Finland and extending to the Arctic Circle—has resulted in three additional ports joining the White Nights in the Gulf of Bothnia marketing alliance.
The Swedish ports of Sundsvall and Umea, and Pori, Finland, have partnered with the Swedish ports of Lulea and Hudiskvall, and Rauma, Finland, in the Bothnia group. Max Rune Karlstrom and Claes-Olow "Ola" Edstrom, who direct the program, announced the expanded alliance at the recent 2007 Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami Beach. "In recent years we have seen increases of almost 10 percent annually in cruise visitors to the region," noted Edstrom. "And brand-name cruise lines like Princess and Silversea are beginning to call there, so it is only a matter of time before the Gulf of Bothnia gains wider acceptance."
Rich in history and culture, the northern Baltic Sea ports of call offer breathtaking scenery and an abundance of sightseeing activities including UNESCO World Heritage sites. From mid May to early August, 24-hour daylight provides for swimming, fishing and even midnight golf.

New Port Deal Agreement Between Royal Caribbean and Aruba
At the recent Seatrade Shipping Convention held in Miami this month, Royal Caribbean and the Port of Aruba announced an agreement to work with the Namdar Group of New York to improve the facilities at the Port of Oranjestad. The agreement will facilitate redevelopment of about 40 acres of waterfront property.  The project is a multi-phase, multi-year initiative encompassing cruise tourism, hotel tourism and waterfront infrastructure that port officials say will benefit both Arubans and visitors to the island.

Mexico Announces New Port Improvements
Mexico announced at a news conference held at the recent Seatrade Shipping Convention improvements to its ports.
The province of Mazatlán announced it is building another 300-meter pier for scheduled completion in summer 2008. The seaport now can handle three ships at once between both cruise and cargo vessels.
The news conference also revealed that the Port of Progreso invested $70 million in infrastructure improvements, including the dredging of the navigation curve for more safety.
The Port Authority of Guaymas is formalizing a project to become a destination on the Sea of Cortez. The port plans to build a cruise terminal by year’s end along with a marina complex in the historic downtown that will include 1,000 dock spaces, a fishing club, recreational areas, cultural centers, parks, hotels, restaurants and other services.
The port has a commitment for its first-ever arrival, by The World of ResidenSea, in March 2009. Port officials also are talking to other cruise lines about calling in the region known for colonial and indigenous heritage as well as a biological reserve with 359 species, according to an article in Seatrade Insider.
Puerto Costa Maya, the second most popular port in Mexico, unveiled a new logo and website at www.costamaya-mexico.com designed to reflect Costa Maya’s future growth from a cruise port to a full tourism destination with boutique hotels. The development will be environmentally friendly with hotels no more than three stories high and a maximum of 10,000 total guest rooms. Costa Maya boasts the second largest coral reef system in the world.                                   
Pier Capacity Increased At Port Of Puerto Vallarta
This month, the port of Puerto Vallarta will have the capacity to dock three cruise ships of 984 feet length as a result of the port’s expansion project. Until now, only one large ship at a time was able to dock at a pier, while others arriving at the same time had to anchor ashore. The growth of cruise tourism has been remarkable with the visits of cruise lines such as Italian Line, Cunard, Holland America Line, Costa Line, Sitmar Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Chandris Line, Sun Line, Royal Cruise Line, Majestic Cruise Line, and the Russian Black Sea Shipping Co.

Aruba Exceeding Expectations For Cruise-Traffic Increase
Aruba is such a popular destination for cruise ships, it is exceeding all expectations with a record breaking increase of over 50% in cruise passengers than ever before. With the dynamic and exciting beautification and renovation plans of the Aruba Ports Authority, The Cruise Tourism Authority is very optimistic that Aruba will be the preferred destination of all respected cruise lines.
The Cruise Tourism Authority is located at Royal Plaza Mall, Suite 227, L.G. Smith Blvd 94, Oranjestad, Aruba

February, 2007

Port of Marseilles 2006 Report & 2007 Outlook
In 2005, passenger numbers reached an all-time high of more than two million. Passenger volumes of 2.026 million represented a 9.6 percent advance after two years in the doldrums. Growth in both the ferry and cruise sectors saw record throughput of more than two million passengers for an overall increase of 9.6% on 2005.
Carryings on ferry services rose 11.1%, led by a 14.6% increase in Corsica volumes to 854,000. Tunisia sailings notched a record 254,000 passengers - up 13.4% on 2005 - while the Algeria total of 509,000 (+5%) was the best since 1985. Sardinia carryings improved 6.9% to 36,000 passengers.
The cruise sector delivered 3.4% growth with 373,000 passengers, including 299,000 (+6%) on port calls as opposed to home port embarkations (-4.1%). After an extremely slow start, the monthly rate of growth exceeded 50% in the second half of the year. (Port Website: www.marseille-port.fr  

Grand Turk Cruise Center Named ‘Best New Port Of Call’ By Porthole
The cruise industry’s newest Caribbean destination, Grand Turk in the Turk and Caicos Islands, has been selected as the Best New Port of Call in Porthole Magazine’s  annual  Editor-in-Chief Awards. The winners were selected by the publication’s editor-in-chief and publisher Bill Panoff, who chose Grand Turk based on its outstanding response from cruise guests, diversity of shore excursion opportunities, and superior facilities at the new $42 million Grand Turk Cruise Center.  "I was utterly impressed when I visited the new Grand Turk Cruise Center," said Panoff. "It's a beautiful destination with wonderful new facilities. I'm sure that cruisers will agree that Grand Turk is a rising star in the Caribbean."
Since its inauguration in February 2006, the Grand Turk Cruise Center has exceeded expectations with 136 cruise ship calls and 295,000 passengers in its first year of operation
The Grand Turk Cruise Center, which can accommodate up to 5,000-passengers per day, consists of a 13-acre complex including an expansive recreation area, shops and the Caribbean’s largest Margaritaville-themed bar and restaurant.
With close to 20 shore excursions, the Grand Turk Cruise Center has something to offer both first time and experienced cruisers visiting the destination. The land-based tours include beach horseback riding, bicycling, beach breaks, 4x4 vehicle adventures and marine-based tours including everything from snorkeling to helmet diving.  More excursions are slated to be introduced during the coming year. For more information about the island and the Grand Turk Cruise Center visit www.grandturkcc.com.

 

November, 2006

Port Vancouver Predicts Growth In Cruise For 2007

When Celebrity Cruises’ Mercury set sail from Canada Place last Sunday, it signaled the end of the 2006 Vancouver-Alaska cruise season, which saw an estimated 858,500* passengers depart or arrive through the port on 253 vessel calls. While the passenger total for 2006 represents a six per cent decrease over the previous year, the Port of Vancouver is projecting an increase of 100,000 passengers in 2007. The projected increase is due to the return of the Mercury to Vancouver from Seattle, for the entire Alaska cruise season, and the addition of the Pacific Princess to the Alaska fleet. The Norwegian Sun will also replace the Norwegian Wind, adding more capacity in the Vancouver-Alaska market. After several years of declining passenger volumes, we are delighted to be looking at growth in our cruise sector. Every time a Vancouver-based cruise ship sets sail from our harbor, it represents 2 million to the regional economy, so this is great news for our tourism industry," said Captain Gordon Houston, President and CEO of the Vancouver Port Authority.
Another highlight of the 2006 cruise season was the continued success of the US Direct program in which passengers are expedited through the customs and immigration process. The US Direct program has received tremendous support from Canadian and US government agencies, cruise line operators and other stakeholders. "This collaborative approach to providing innovative solutions for the cruise market is a major factor in enhancing Vancouver's competitive position," said Houston.
The Port of Vancouver continues to partner with other BC port cities, transforming Canada's Inside Passage into a new cruise itinerary marketed as Cruise BC. In 2006, Mercury offered eight sailings in the fall to ports in BC, drawing on the success of this itinerary launched last year. The Mercury will be offering twelve BC destined cruises in the fall of 2007.
The 2006 cruise season also marked the first year of operation for Ceres, the port's new cruise terminal operator, providing vessel stevedoring and terminal management services for Canada Place and Ballantyne terminals. "Ceres delivered exceptional levels of service to our customers, demonstrating their commitment to developing Vancouver's cruise business," said Houston. The Port of Vancouver is Canada's flagship port, trading $43 billion in goods with more than 90 trading economies annually. The cruise sector creates 13,500 jobs annually at the Port of Vancouver. Berlitz, the London based travel publisher, designated Vancouver as the most passenger-friendly cruise port in North America.
(* The Vancouver Port Authority is establishing a new formula for calculating revenue passengers that includes disembarking, embarking and in-transit passengers counted once.

Stockholm Posts Record Cruise Season For Summer 2006
The 2006 summer cruise season brought a record number of inaugural cruise ship calls and passengers to the Swedish capital according to Stockholm Cruise Network. Between May and October, the Ports of Stockholm had 260 cruise ship calls carrying 287,000 passengers, and 28 turnarounds. That represents a 13 percent increase over the 250,000 passengers served in 2005.
As a sign of the Baltic region's rising popularity as a cruise market, Stockholm welcomed for the first time Costa Cruises' Magica and Classica, Crystal Cruises' Crystal Serenity, Fred Olsen's Boudicca, Mediterranean Shipping Cruises' Lirica, P&O Cruises' Arcadia, Pullmantur Cruises' Blue Moon, Sea Cloud's Sea Cloud II and Society Expedition's World Discoverer. "The Baltic region is emerging as a popular cruise destination choice among consumers, and that, in turn, is moving cruise lines to create more northern European itineraries," said Christel Wiman, chief executive officer for the Ports of Stockholm. "With the high demand for cruises to the Baltic, we expect another record-breaking season for Stockholm in 2007."
The Ports of Stockholm are already planning for the 2007 summer season. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Navigator of the Seas' has Stockholm scheduled for two port calls June 9 and Sept. 1, 2007. Additionally, two gay charted ships are scheduled to call at Stockholm next summer. Compagnie Des Iles Du Ponant's Le Diamant is to call July 11, 2007, and Celebrity Cruises' Constellation is to call July 21, 2007.
Stockholm Cruise Network website: www.stockholmcruise.com  

Radical Changes For Port of Miami In The Works
According to a recent report in Seatrade Insider, discussions are underway about a new, cutting-edge cruise terminal at the Port of Miami that would set the standard for operating efficiency. Terminal A would be located to the east of existing passenger facilities, toward Miami Beach, and would be designed to handle next-generation ships such as and services while also cutting operational costs.
The port’s long-awaited new cruise terminals, D and E, are scheduled to open in February. Carnival Cruise Lines will use those facilities, vacating Terminals B and C, which will undergo multimillion-dollar renovations for their new tenant, NCL Corp. The B and C upgrades will include fresh paint, new carpet, improved air conditioning, a new entrance canopy and new landscaping.

New Cruise Terminal Opens In Venice
A new cruise passenger terminal was inaugurated in Venice this month. Originally referred to as Building 117—now Terminal 117—the refurbished warehouse adjacent to the water will now provide the Adriatic base port with additional cruise handling facilities to cater for the continued growth in passenger traffic expected to top one million this year. The building has designated arrival and departure areas and has been designed as a multifunctional structure that can house events and conferences when not in cruise use. A fifth two-level terminal is reportedly planned that will open in late 2008 and be used mainly for cruises emanating from Venice.

 

October, 2006

Port Canaveral Breaks Multiple Revenue Records
Preliminary figures show that total revenues for the Canaveral Port Authority have topped $50 million for the first time, reaching the $51 million mark in Fiscal Year 2006. Records were achieved in overall revenue, operating revenue, cruise revenue, cargo revenue, multi-day cruise passengers, and cargo tonnage.
A decade ago, total revenues were $18.1 million.  Total revenues last year were $44.6 million. “This banner year has been the result of the hard work of the Port Authority staff and the leadership of Port Authority commissioners, as well as the contributions of the entire maritime community here at Port Canaveral,” says Canaveral Port Authority CEO J. Stanley “Stan” Payne.
In the latest economic impact report, Port Canaveral contributed 34,000 jobs and more than $1.5 billion to Brevard County.  Regionally, the Port’s impact contributed 50,000 jobs and $2.3 billion to the central Florida economy.  Statewide, Port Canaveral affects 90,000 jobs with a total economic impact of nearly $4 billion.

Dubai Gears Up For 2006/07 Cruise Tourism Winter Season
Dubai is gearing up to welcome as many as 50 cruise ships at its state-of-the-art cruise terminal during the cruise tourism’s winter season starting from this October to April 2007. The passenger vessels, some of which making their debut in the Middle East region, are scheduled to have a total of 64,993 passengers and crew members on board. “Preparations have been made to welcome the cruise ships. Dubai is becoming a popular cruise destination in the world. The arrival of a record number of cruise ships over a six month period speaks volumes about the status that Dubai enjoys on the world cruise tourism map,” said Khalid A bin Sulayem, Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) which operates the Dubai Cruise Terminal (DCT).
The DTCM-DCT officials are coordinating with the other government organizations like the Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) and Dubai Customs to handle the winter-season rush. They are also holding discussions with the suppliers, cruise tour operators and ground handling agencies on issues related to cruise tourism.
Luxury cruise ships, Queen Mary 2, Costa Classica, AIDAcara and Black Watch will be making their debut in the Middle East this season utilizing the region’s first and only dedicated cruise tourism facility. From December, Costa Classica and AIDAcara will make a total of 25 departments in 2006-2007 season. Another leading European cruise operator, Fred Olsen, has placed Dubai on its cruise itineraries calendar and its Black Watch ship will make the port of call in February 2007. “The decision of major cruise operators to come to Dubai reconfirms the potential of Dubai as the regional cruise industry hub,” said bin Sulayem. “We are confident that this stimulates other cruise operators to use the emirate as a cruise hub.”
The ship-shaped terminal, opened in 2001, measures 3,300 square meters and is able to accommodate two ships simultaneously on a 335-meter quay.  In 2005, Dubai handled cruise ships with nearly 13,000 passenger movements. 
Dubai expects 20,000 cruise passengers in 2006 and 30,000 in 2007. The bulk of the cruise tourists come from the UK, Germany and the US markets. In a survey, 80 percent of the cruise passengers in Dubai revealed that they would extend their visit to the emirate during their next visit and 95 per cent said they would recommend others to visit Dubai to enjoy its all-appealing facilities, pristine beaches and unparalleled shopping options.
The Dubai Cruise Terminal is the world's first to receive ISO-9002 certification and also the world’s only cruise facility run by the government tourism body.

Domenico Tringale New VP, Port Operations For Carnival Cruise Lines
Domenico Tringale has been promoted to vice president, port operations for Carnival Cruise Lines.  In this capacity, he will oversee port planning and logistics for the world’s largest cruise line.  He will also serve as a liaison with various government agencies, as well as with the numerous port agents retained by the cruise line both within the U.S. and internationally.
Tringale has an extensive background in the cruise industry. He joined Carnival in 2000 as senior port captain, based at the cruise line’s Miami headquarters.  Prior to that he spent nine years at Costa Cruises where he served as vice president of port operations. He was also employed more than 30 years at Sitmar Cruises, which, during the latter part of his career there, was merged with Princess Cruises.  He started as a deck cadet officer, eventually rising to the level of captain before moving ashore as vice president of operations.

 

September, 2006

Plans For New Cruise Terminal In San Francisco Scuttled
The Port of San Francisco has scrapped its proposed $360 million cruise ship terminal at Piers 30 and 32 that had been in the planning stages since 2000. In addition, the contractual agreement the port had with the San Francisco Cruise Terminal expired, effective September 15, according to the port's manager of communications.
Reportedly, the decision to back out of the plan were rising construction costs, the costs associated with retrofitting the rotting piers and declining real estate rents.

Grand Cayman Island Opens New Cruise Terminal This Month
Royal Watler Cruise Terminal in Grand Cayman officially opened this month. Facilities include a 200-foot pier and a terminal with retail stores, kiosks and customs and immigration offices. The new terminal, which will be able to support the larger cruise ships, will supplement the smaller cruise facility in the heart of George Town. In the past, cruise passengers have had to tender in at the George Town facility.

Princess Offers New Transportation Option To Brooklyn NY Cruise Terminal
Travelers from the Northeast sailing aboard Princess ships from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal next summer will enjoy a convenient new transportation option to get to and from their ship as the company introduces a pre- and post-cruise motorcoach transfer service from a variety of Northeast locations. The new service begins in May 2007 for passengers sailing aboard Crown Princess' summer Caribbean cruises from Brooklyn, and continues through the ship's Canada/New England fall cruises.

Princess' Northeast Motorcoach program includes four routes. The first travels from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore; Wilmington, Delaware; Philadelphia and Burlington, New Jersey. Route two runs through Pennsylvania, departing from Harrisburg and traveling to Lancaster, Reading, Allentown and Easton. The third route begins in Boston, with subsequent stops in Worcester and Springfield, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut. The fourth itinerary departs from Providence, RI and travels through Connecticut with stops in New London, New Haven and Bridgeport. All routes operate in reverse as well for the post-cruise return home.

Princess' Northeast Motorcoach Service will be available from May 12 to October 13, 2007. All routes feature comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoaches and can accommodate wheelchair passengers with prior notification. Roundtrip fares for the Northeast Motorcoach Program range between $100 and $155 per person, depending on pickup location. Additional information about the new motorcoach program is available by calling 1-800-PRINCESS.

 

August, 2006

Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines Picks Dubai For Port Call In February
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) for the cruise tourism in the emirate is reaping results with another leading European cruise operator placing Dubai on its cruise itineraries calendar. Black Watch, one of the five vessels in Fred.Olsen's fleet, will make a debut port of call at Dubai on February 26, 2007. The 28,492-ton cruise ship will depart Dubai on February 28.
In 2005, Dubai handled cruise ships with nearly 13,000 passenger movements. Dubai expects 20,000 cruise passengers in 2006 and 30,000 in 2007. The state-of-the-art Dubai cruise terminal, opened in 2001 at the sprawling Port Rashid complex is able to accommodate two ships simultaneously. Website: http://dubaitourism.co.ae

 

July, 2006

Bermuda Plans To Expand Its West End Ship Terminal

Bermuda authorities are planning to build a second pier at Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard in the West End. The facility, which is expected to be completed in 2008, will be large enough to handle mega ships such as the Queen Mary 2 and Royal Caribbean’s Freedom class vessels. The project will include a terminal on the pier, an information center and a floating dock for taxis and tour buses. A wave attenuator will be needed to minimize thruster damage from the ships. Total cost of the facility is estimated to be about $40 million.

Miami-based Bermello, Ajamil & Partners conducted the planning and preliminary design work for the Royal Naval Dockyard facility, which will be built by Bermudian companies.

 

June 16, 2006

City Of Norfolk, Virginia Names Its New Cruise Center

Rendering of the Half Moone Cruise Center

The City of Norfolk took another step toward establishing itself as a leader in the bustling cruise ship industry today with the announcement that it has named its spectacular state-of-the-art cruise facility the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center. “The announcement represents another milestone in the construction of Norfolk’s state-of-the-art cruise facility,’’ said Mayor Paul Fraim. “It means that we have moved one step closer to the opening of the new terminal in March, 2007. The Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center will underline Norfolk’s growing reputation as one of the most exciting and vibrant cities on the East Coast.”

Half Moone is taken from the name of a fort that was built on the same site in 1673 in the form of a “half moone.” The fort was built to protect Norfolk’s burgeoning maritime industry. The 80,000-square-foot, passenger-friendly facility will feature a 54-foot long mermaid cast in terrazzo floor tile in the Grand Rotunda entrance; a separate lounge and check-in area for cruise line VIP passengers; the most contemporary and security-focused Customs and Border Protection area of any cruise terminal in the nation; and state-of-the-art embarkation stations designed specifically for the Half Moone. The Half Moone is nearing 40 percent of completion. The anticipated opening date is March 2007. More than 80,000 cruise passengers are expected in 2007

Royal Caribbean To Operate Cruises Out Of Half Moone Cruise Center

The world's second-largest cruise line, Royal Caribbean International, will call the Center home beginning in April 2007. Royal Caribbean's 692-foot-long Empress of the Seas will sail regularly to Bermuda throughout the spring and summer. The seven-day Bermuda cruises will depart and return each Saturday beginning April 20 through July 27, 2007. This is the first Royal Caribbean vessel to call at this port.

For a listing of the 2006/2007 cruise schedule for Norfolk, click http://www.cruisenorfolk.org/schedule.php

 

May 30, 2006

New Grand Turk Cruise Center Opens

The Grand Turk Cruise Center, the Caribbean’s newest cruise facility, held its “official” opening ceremony in May with a reception attended by government officials from the Turk & Caicos Islands and representatives from Carnival Corporation & plc, the operator of the $42 million center. Although the Grand Turk Cruise Center welcomed its first ship on February 25 when Holland America Line’s Noordam made her inaugural call at the facility, the official opening marks the completion of construction.  Coinciding with the official opening is the launch of a new FM radio station, GT Cruise FM, which offers a mix of Caribbean tunes, as well as news and information on Grand Turk Island and the cruise center.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center features a state-of-the-art pier that can accommodate two Post-Panamax vessels and a 13-acre complex that serves as a gateway to one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands. The facility features an expansive recreation area that includes an 800-foot white-sand beach, a swimming pool, cabanas, an array of retail shops and the Caribbean’s largest Margaritaville-themed bar and restaurant, owned by Jimmy Buffet. Nearly two dozen shore excursions, including horseback riding, kayaking, scuba diving, and a unique “Hop On, Hop Off” bus tour visiting famous island attractions, are also available.

Cruise Lines visiting Grand Turk in 2006 include Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas, Hapag Lloyd and Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines. For more information, visit www.Grandturkcc.com  or e-mail information@grandturkcc.com .

New Lounge Opens For Cruise Passengers in Copenhagen
Now, cruise passengers visiting Copenhagen can relax at a new lounge located in the Magasin department store at Kgs Nytorv 13 in the center of Copenhagen. Opened in cooperation with Cruise Copenhagen Network, the new lounge features a furnished room once used by Danish writer Hans Christian Anderson. Complimentary coffee, tea or water and international newspapers and magazines are available by showing a cabin card or cruise ticket to the lounge hostess. Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first Sunday of the month.

Ship Calls To Increase For Bothnia Cruise Ports In 2007

Come 2007, the four ports that compose the Bothnia Cruise Ports alliance are expected to experience an increase in cruise ship visits and welcome 10 vessels. Hudiksvall, Piteå and Luleå in Sweden, and Rauma in Finland, make up the Midnight Sun Cruising alliance that was formed in 2004 to increase global awareness of the region. Among cruise lines expected to call at Luleå are SilverSea, PandO Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Phoenix Reisen. The World, the ResidenSea ship that operates as a floating condominium, is scheduled to visit both Luleå and Hudiksvall for overnight stays. Additional cruse lines also have expressed interest in adding Rauma to their itineraries.

"Since we began to market the region as a cruise destination, we have gained tremendous interest from cruise line itinerary planners and executives who see the value of calling at these Baltic jewels," said Claes-Olow "Ola" Edström, co-manager of the Gulf of Bothnia marketing project.

A region containing many UNESCO World Heritage sites and rich in culture and history, the Gulf of Bothnia cruise destinations of Hudiksvall, Piteå, Luleå and Rauma are located along the body of water between Sweden and Finland extending up to the Artic Circle.

Offering cruise lines and their passengers an alternative to the traditional well-traveled ports in the Baltic, the four destinations are known for their friendly hospitality, natural beauty and diverse architecture that dates back thousands of years.

For more information on the Gulf of Bothnia, call Stuart Newman Associates at (305) 461-3300 or visit www.bothniancruiseports.com.

 

Dubai: The World’s New Cruise Destination

Long established as an excellent maritime city with geographical advantages, excellent infrastructural facilities, ports and logistics, Dubai started looking at developing cruise tourism very lately compared with other destinations. However, the emirate utilized its relatively late entry into cruise tourism sector to its advantage by creating better facilities and services than others in the near and far.

Operated by the DTCM, the Dubai Cruise Terminal was officially inaugurated by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Defense Minister and Chairman of the DTCM on 26th March 2001 at the state-of-the-art Port Rashid complex.

The ship-shaped building is located on a 335-meter (1,100-ft) quay offering the capacity to berth two ships simultaneously, while the terminal itself is around 3,300 square meters (10,827 sq ft) in size. It is the world's first to receive ISO-9002 certification and also the world’s only cruise facility run by the government tourism body.

Dubai emerged formally on the world cruise map in 1993 when it welcomed a cruise ship with 703 passengers on board. Cruise ships with 10,000 passengers were scheduled to visit Dubai this year. Most of the cruise tourists come from the UK, Germany and the US markets. In a survey, 80 per cent of the cruise passengers in Dubai revealed that they would extend their visit to the emirate during their next visit and 95 per cent said they would recommend others to visit Dubai to enjoy its all-appealing facilities, pristine beaches and unparalleled shopping options.

Today, Dubai leads the Middle East in the cruise ship passenger exchange during their itineraries. Recently its world-class facility received global recognition when it won the best cruise terminal prize in a trade show in Miami, Florida

From a mere eight calls by cruise liners in 1996, the year 2005 saw as many as 15 cruise ships making port calls. And 2006 promises to exceed that number. Mr. Awadh Al Seghayer, Acting Manager of the Dubai Cruise Terminal, said: “We started the New Year on an aggressive note and the arrival of the cruise ships from different parts of the world is expected to enhance our image of an ideal year-round business and leisure destination.  The department’s aggressive promotional agenda is helping the world get enlightened about Dubai’s cruise tourism.”

The facilities, which are handicap friendly, include an information center, a café, an Internet access business center, and a VIP Reception Center. Public taxies are available, available at the cruise terminal. Website: http://www.dubaitourism.ae/cruise/default.asp

Stockholm Expects Record Cruise Season In 2006

On May 10, Celebrity Cruises' 1,950-passenger Constellation is to kick off what is expected to be Stockholm's busiest cruise season to date. Mediterranean Shipping Cruises and Crystal Cruises join Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and other major cruise lines in scheduling Stockholm as a port of call or a turnaround port on Baltic itineraries during the 2006 season.

The Stockholm Cruise Network anticipates an estimated 250,000 passengers from 261 cruise ship calls between May 10 and September 16, of which 29 are turnaround calls. Overall, that represents a 9 percent increase over the number of passengers served in 2005, which totaled 228,000. "The rising popularity of Baltic cruises is just one of the many reasons Stockholm's cruising numbers have hit a record high," said Christel Wiman, chief executive officer for the Ports of Stockholm. "We also have a variety of port facilities to accommodate almost any ship. But the biggest draw is the city's natural beauty, its rich culture and history, and its endless array of activities for visitors."

Cruise ships calling at the Swedish capital this summer include Celebrity Cruises' Century and Constellation, Costa Cruises' Atlantica, Classica and Magica, Holland America Line's Amsterdam, Prinsendam and Rotterdam, Oceania Cruises' Insignia and Regatta, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Navigator and Seven Seas Voyager.

With 29 turnaround calls this season, more cruise passengers will have time to explore Stockholm before or after their cruise. Whether their activity of choice is a lunchtime ferry through the archipelago of 24,000 islands, a stroll through Gamla Stan, or Old Town, a visit to one of Stockholm's many museums or shopping for fine crystal or Scandinavian design products, there is plenty to do and see.

The Stockholm Cruise Network was created to enhance awareness of Stockholm as a cruise port and tourist destination among U.S. travel agents, consumers and cruise lines. Members include the Stockholm Visitors Board, Ports of Stockholm and an extensive local network that includes Scandinavian Airlines System, Stockholm Arlanda International Airport and numerous port agents, ground operators, local transportation companies, hotels and shops. For more information about the Stockholm Cruise Network, visit the Stockholm Visitors Board website at www.stockholmcruise.com.

April, 2006 Quick Guide to Brooklyn

Welcome To Brooklyn's New Cruise Terminal

By PW  Mooney

Greater New York now has a brand new cruise facility. Located in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, across from Governor’s Island on Buttermilk Channel, and ten miles from midtown Manhattan, the $52 million Brooklyn Cruise Terminal opened on April 15 when Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 arrived for the start of her transatlantic season of 20 crossings.

Queen Mary 2 docked at the new Brooklyn Cruise Terminal

The New York Passenger Terminal on Manhattan’s Westside— now renamed the New York Cruise Terminal—had long been the site for all the great ocean liners of the past and today’s modern cruise ships. Its history dates back to the 1930s, when New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia built long, modern finger piers out into the Hudson from 46^th to 56^th streets to accommodate the great ocean liners during the heyday of transatlantic travel. With the onset of the jet age in the 1960s, ocean liners fell into decline as a means of travel and the piers were largely unused until cruise ships began making their mark in the 1990s.

Today, there are many cruise vessels coming into New York and they are getting bigger. Some are so big that they overlap the length of the piers into the Hudson. Each time the 1,132-foot-long Queen Mary 2 was berthed there, her bow jutted out in the Hudson by several hundred feet. So to better accommodate these megaships as well as ease the gridlock from increased cruise traffic as New York becomes a major home port, it was decided to develop a new terminal facility in a little known area of Brooklyn called Red Hook.

Now the third largest cruise market in the US, New York City has experienced tremendous growth in the cruise industry in recent years. The economic impact of this growth—$600 million and 3200 jobs in 2004 and growing. Those numbers are expected to reach $900 million and 5,000 jobs by 2012, according to New York City Economic Development Corporation estimates. With an eye to the future, the Bloomberg Administration in April 2004 signed an agreement with Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line in which the companies would support NYCs investments in cruise facilities in both Brooklyn and Manhattan through port charges in exchange for berthing rights. Carnival and NCL had to commit to placing a set number of its ships at the Brooklyn and NYC piers through 2017.In addition the City would commit an additional $150 million to the venture.

The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is the first in the New York area to be designed specifically to accommodate today's larger cruise ships.  In addition to deepening the channel, reinforcing moorings and upgrading the gangway, the new $52million facility includes traveler-friendly improvements such as improved signage, landscaping, a tourist kiosk and more attractive glass exteriors and canopy.

In its first year of operation, the 182,000-square-foot Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is expected to welcome approximately 40 ships, including the new Crown Princess launching in June 2006. The Terminal adds 330 new permanent jobs to the Brooklyn waterfront. "Investing in industries poised for growth and job creation is one of the best ways for us to diversify the economy, and the investments we're making in New York City's booming cruise sector is the latest example," said Mayor Bloomberg.  "The completion of the spectacular Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and arrival of the QM2 will be major milestones not only in the expansion of New York City's cruise industry, but also in the growth of Brooklyn's working waterfront."

So what’s the cruise facility like?

I had a sneak preview of the new Red Hook facility in late March, which is about a 10-mile taxi ride from midtown Manhattan. Red Hook is not a place that New Yorkers know or care much about as the area has been in decline for years. The Dutch established the village of Red Hook (Roode Hoek) in 1636—one of the earliest areas in Brooklyn to be settled. The area was so named for its red clay soil and the hook shape of its peninsular corner of Brooklyn that projects into the East River. A map from the 1760s shows a developed village at a time when there was little else in Brooklyn. In the 1850s the Atlantic Basin opened and Red Hook became one of the busiest ports in the country. Unfortunately economic decline in the shipping industry in the past decades led to the area becoming derelict.

Now with the new ship terminal, the area is poised to reverse its downward slide from the once bustling port it was. Already former warehouses are being renovated for condos and other upscale commercial enterprises are being developed not too far from Pier 12.

It was hard to be positive about the area as I passed dozens of dilapidated buildings and empty lots on the way to the new ocean terminal still in the throes of construction. But to my surprise, upon arriving at Pier 12, I found the views from the pier wonderful. I also liked the feeling of open space in contrast to the tightness of space at the Manhattan piers which can become quite congested with street traffic, and masses of passengers disembarking and embarking.

But it was the views that sold me on my first and then on a subsequent visit for the terminal’s dedication. Look north and one sees the stunning Manhattan vista; look west and there is the grand lady, Ms Liberty. Another important asset is that Buttermilk Channel, where Pier 12 is located, is a natural waterway and does not require the annual dredging that must be done at the Manhattan Westside piers as the natural pull of the lower Hudson removes much of the sediment there.

Looking north at Manhattan with Governors Island (foreground)

Pier 12 which more recently was used a city depot for rock salt, is part of the 16-acre site that includes five other piers. The pier itself is some 800 feet long and for now, a vessel the size of the QM2 will overlap the pier’s length by over 200 feet. When a ship comes in, she is first spun around in the Buttermilk Channel and then backed into the berth with her stern facing south.

For the present time, only one ship can be accommodated at one time but the NYEDC hopes to expand the berthing space by developing the other five piers in the future. The Brooklyn Terminal’s piers are currently operated by Port Authority of NY & NJ but the NYEDC is in negotiations to own them and develop them further. Already plans are on the drawing board for a second pier to handle ship traffic.

I also was very impressed with the finished facility when I visited the second time. The white with blue trim ship terminal has ample space to accommodate 4000 passengers embarking or disembarking from the ship. For embarkation, baggage is left in front of the terminal with a stevedore and then screened through four separate baggage X-rays to then be taking to a baggage holding area before boarding. After passing through the screening stations placed at the terminal entrance, passengers proceed on carpeted floors to one of 40 check-in counters.

Terminal’s Check-in Area

There is an 800-passenger waiting room with restrooms as well as a small VIP waiting area off to the side. No food will be sold but there will be soda vending machines. Passengers boarding the ship proceed from the waiting areas up an escalator or stairway to one of two glass-enclosed gangways into the ship.

Visitors to the terminal will remain outside the building although there is a small area just inside the entrance doors before the security apparatus.

For disembarking passengers, there are 16 customs stations to facilitate the exit.

Outside the facility, there is a car service leave-off area as well as one for private cars discharging passengers. A parking lot for 596 cars is about 300 yards south of the terminal entrance. Next to it, there are 20 bus lots set aside for charter buses.

For those taking public transportation, there is marginal bus or subway service that then involves a long walk to the terminal. In the future, water taxis may be used to ferry visitors and passengers to and from Manhattan, but because security is tight that may not happen.

The new cruise terminal provides a new way to depart on a cruise from New York. Shuttle buses will be provided ship passengers who wish to sightsee or shop in Manhattan or Brooklyn. And New York’s tourist board—NYC & Company—provides a VIP pass with discounts and offers for cruise visitors. An expanded VIP pass is in the works for 2007 according to a spokesperson for NYC & Company.

From the overall picture I got during my visits, the process of embarking or disembarking from a ship will be smoother than at the Manhattan terminals. Let’s just hope that getting to and from the Red Hook cruise terminal will be just as smooth.

                                                ************************

Directions to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Via Auto

From Manhattan via Battery Tunnel:

From Manhattan, take the Battery Tunnel (I-478-E) into Brooklyn. Continue onto the westbound Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278-W) and immediately take the first exit on the right: Exit 26- Hamilton Avenue onto the service road. Stay to the left and make a left-U-turn at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue with Clinton Street/9th Street, then continue west along the westbound Hamilton Avenue service road. Continue on the service road to its end at Van Brunt Street. Turn left at Man Brunt Street, travel 2 blocks and then turn right onto Bowne Street to enter the terminal.

From Manhattan via the Brooklyn or Manhattan Bridges and from La Guardia Airport (LGA):

From the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, or LaGuardia Airport, get onto the westbound Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278-W) and take Exit 26 - Hamilton Avenue onto the service road. Stay to the left and make a left-U-turn at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue with Clinton Street/9th Street, then continue west along the westbound Hamilton Avenue service road. Continue on the service road to its end at Van Brunt Street. Turn left at Van Brunt Street, travel 2 blocks and then turn right onto Bowne Street to enter the terminal.

From John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport:

From John F. Kennedy Airport, get onto the eastbound Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278-E) to Exit 26-Hamilton Avenue. After exit, continue along westbound Hamilton Avenue service road. Continue on the service road to its end at Van Brunt Street. Turn left at Van Brunt Street, travel 2 blocks and then turn right onto Bowne Street.

More information available at

Exiting From The Brooklyn Terminal:

To Manhattan via the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges and to LaGuardia Airport:

From terminal exit, continue east along Bowne Street and merge with Hamilton Avenue service road. Stay left and merge left onto underpass at Columbia Street, follow road and merge onto the eastbound Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278-E) and continue to exits 28B (Brooklyn Bridge), 29A (Manhattan Bridge), or continue on I-278-E as it turns into the Grand Central Parkway into Queens. Take Exit 5 to the LaGuardia Marine Air Terminal or Exit 7 to the main terminal.

To Manhattan via the Battery Tunnel:

From Terminal exit, continue east along Bowne Street and merge with the eastbound Hamilton Avenue service road. Stay left and make the left-U-turn at 9th Street/Clinton Street, continuing westbound along the Hamilton Avenue Service Road. Stay left and merge onto the Battery Tunnel access toll road.

To John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport:

From Terminal exit, continue east along Bowne Street and merge with the eastbound Hamilton Avenue service road. Stay left and make the immediate left merge onto the westbound Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278-W) at Columbia Street. Continue on I-278-W to Exit 16-Belt Parkway. Continue on Belt Parkway to Exit 19-John F. Kennedy Airport.

Parking Rates

Daily Rate (10 Hours)

$19.00

Overnight Rate (24 Hours)

$20.00

Day Rate (multi days)

$18.00

Monthly rate

$180.00

Short Term 20 minute Parking

$6.00

To download a road map, visit http://www.nycruiseterminal.com/

 

March, 2006

Mexico’s New Cruise Ship Port In Chiapas Opens

The Mexico Tourism Board has announced the opening of a new cruise ship port in Chiapas, located in the southern part of the country. The port is 225 nautical miles south of Huatulco and 110 miles north of Guatemala's Puerto Quetzal in the southern state of Chiapas. Offering easy access to the nearby Panama Canal, Puerto Chiapas has been opened as a port for trans-canal cruises. Cruise passengers will be able to visit Palenque, one of the Mayan world's most important archaeological sites.

New Grand Turk Cruise Center Welcomes First Cruise Ship

As she gently glided into port, Holland America Line's newest cruise ship, the 1,848 passenger Noordam, made history when she arrived at the Caribbean's newest port facility -- the Grand Turk Cruise Center, British West Indies -- on her inaugural call.

The arrival of Grand Turk's first cruise ship went very smoothly, to the full satisfaction of the cruise line's management, port operators, and hundreds of cruise passengers. "I'm proud and honored to be a part of history with today's inaugural call at this world-class pier and port facility. Grand Turk offers pristine beaches and magnificent waters and it will be a great destination for cruise ship guests," said Noordam Captain John Scott.

The new Grand Turk Cruise Center features a state-of-the-art pier that can accommodate two large Super Post Panamax vessels and a 13-acre complex that serves as a gateway to one of the Caribbean's most beautiful islands.

With its expansive recreation area, including an 800-foot white-sand beach, a swimming pool, cabanas, an array of retail shops and the Caribbean's largest "Margaritaville"-themed bar and restaurant, owned by music superstar Jimmy Buffet, opportunities abound for cruise guests to discover the Caribbean's newest destination.

Cruise ship passengers can select from nearly two dozen shore excursions, everything from a unique "Hop On, Hop Off" tour visiting famous island attractions to horseback riding, kayaking, and snuba.

In addition to becoming one of the finest cruise ports in the Caribbean, Grand Turk has a glorious past as one of the world's leading producers of salt. In more recent years, Grand Turk has been used as a base for the U.S. Navy and NASA, and served as the landing spot for Senator John Glenn's splash down following his orbit of the Earth as part of the Mercury space launch. "We are proud to establish this association with Carnival Corporation and are deeply grateful that Carnival decided to make this large investment on our island. We look forward to a very successful relationship with Carnival," said the Honorable Floyd Hall, Grand Turk's deputy chief minister of finance. "Our arms are open to passengers from all cruise lines and visitors who will be coming to our shores in the months and years ahead. The Noordam's arrival earlier today represents an exciting new chapter for our island and we are just delighted with reaction from cruise passengers."

This month, the Grand Turk Cruise Center welcomed an additional vessel when Carnival Cruise Lines' Sensation began bi-weekly port calls to the island. Later, in June, the new Crown Princess of Princess Cruises, another Carnival Corporation brand, will visit the island as part of its Caribbean cruise schedule. Costa Cruises, a fourth Carnival brand, will include Grand Turk on its itineraries beginning in the fall.

Other cruise lines visiting Grand Turk this year include Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Radisson Seven Seas. The new Grand Turk Cruise Center was developed and is operated by Carnival Corporation & plc. For more information, visit www.Grandturkcc.com  or e-mail information@grandturkcc.com.

Atlanticcanadacruise.com Offers Information On Port Destinations

A land and culture thriving on the livelihood of the seas, Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island) offers travelers cruise options that combine awe-inspiring natural beauty, countless land excursion possibilities and port cities that provide a glimpse into Atlantic Canada's past, present and future. Served by major cruise lines such as Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn and several others, cruises destined for Atlantic Canada allow visitors to whale watch from the ship's deck, cruise down iceberg alley (albeit a safe distance away compared to the famous "titan" of the seas) and ride the world's highest tides in the Bay of Fundy. Originating domestically in New York and Boston and internationally in Southampton, there are many options when cruising to Atlantic Canada, including round trip and one-way passage vacations ranging from 4- to 34-day voyages in summer and fall, all of which can be found at http://www.atlanticcanadacruise.com.

Ports of call include New Brunswick where passengers have a unique opportunity to cruise into one of the Marine Wonders of the World, the Bay of Fundy, and to explore the historic port city of Saint John or the quaint village of St. Andrews. While visiting Halifax, the largest city in Atlantic Canada and capital of Nova Scotia, visit Peggy's Cove, home to Nova Scotia's most famous lighthouse, explore Halifax's prominent music scene, or step back in time to tour Alexander Keith's Brewery, where the father of beer in Halifax brewed the choicest hops for Britain's Royal Navy.

Additional port cities in Atlantic Canada include the birthplace of Canada, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where you can survey related historic sites steps away from the port, bike along the picturesque Confederation Trail or visit the literary home of world-renowned Anne of Green Gables. While in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, discover one of the most stunning places in the world, Gros Morne National Park, and explore the Tablelands, a geologic formation that marks a time when the continents of Africa and North America collided, pushing these rocks, originally beneath the ocean, to their present position on land. This is a unique opportunity to see a sample of the earth's crust and upper mantle, in addition to area mountains, which were formed by water, ice and erosion in the most recent ice age. Other stops in Atlantic Canada on various itineraries include St. John's, Newfoundland, and Sydney, Nova Scotia.

To learn more about Atlantic Canada ports, visit http://www.atlanticcanadacruise.com.

New Survey Finds Stockholm Increasing in Popularity As Cruise Port

The increasing popularity of Baltic cruises reflects a growing consumer appetite among Americans seeking enriching experiences in destinations offering an abundance of beauty and culture. Stockholm, Sweden is seeing new trends among visiting cruise passengers-- not only are they traveling to the Scandinavian port for the cruise, but they are returning for subsequent cruises to continue exploring the Baltic capital.

A recent survey of Stockholm's cruise ship passengers revealed that a majority of cruise passengers were seasoned, wealthy travelers over the age of 60, who were returning visitors on turnaround cruises, who tended to be highly satisfied with their visit. In fact, one in every fifth passenger has visited Stockholm before on a cruise.

Experienced travelers, especially baby boomers easing into their retirement years, are choosing premium and luxury cruise lines that sail to the Swedish city. Those cruise passengers typically are from North America and European countries. In fact, almost 50 percent of the cruise passengers who visited Stockholm in 2005 were from the United States, and every fifth passenger was a resident of California. Other states that contributed high percentages of passengers included New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois and Massachusetts. In addition, more than 118,000 passengers were from European countries. Eight-five percent of northern Europeans were from Germany and Great Britain, and 89 percent of southern Europeans came from Italy, France and Spain. "The rising popularity of Baltic cruises is just one of the many reasons Stockholm's cruising numbers have hit a record high," said Claudia Quas project manager cruises for the Stockholm Visitor Board. "The biggest draws are the city's natural beauty, its rich culture and history, and its endless array of activities for visitors."

The travel habits of returning cruise passengers also were explored in the survey. Forty-seven percent of respondents preferred to fly business class and 82 percent booked their flight independently of the cruise so they could stay longer. Six percent of returning visitors were on a turnaround cruise and planned to stay one to three nights at three- and four-star hotels such as the Grand Hotel, Sheraton or Hilton. They also chose to explore the main attractions on their own including the Vasa Museum, Old Town, Royal Palace and City Hall.

One important trend is that cruise passengers are spending more during their visit to Stockholm. More than 225,000 cruise passengers visited Stockholm in the summer of 2005 and spent over $20 million. The majority of these cruise passengers were day visitors who spent money mainly on sightseeing activities and shopping.

More than 25,000 turnaround cruise passengers visited the city in 2005. These passengers tended to stay a few days before or after their cruise and spent an average of $392 per person during their visit. That was a 40 percent increase over the amount spent by stay-over passengers in 2001. They also chose to splurge on exclusive accommodations and fine dining rather than sightseeing activities and shopping.

Visitors who returned to Stockholm were satisfied with their first visit, and 81 percent of the passengers stated they were very satisfied with their experience. North Americans and northern Europeans mentioned similar aspects that they liked about the city including the many parks and greenery, cleanliness and safety, the friendly English-speaking people, the architecture and water, and the relative size of the city and the ease of getting around.

The primary reason among southern Europeans and those on turnaround cruises for visiting Stockholm was the desire to see a new place. It's location in the Baltic and the fact that a friend or family member chose the cruise destination also ranked high. On average, most cruise passengers traveled with one other person, and southern Europeans tended to travel in larger groups of five or more.

More than 50 percent of visiting passengers stated it was quite likely they would return within the next five years and over 20 percent stated they would visit on another Baltic cruise.

The survey was conducted during the summers of 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2005. During the 2005 cruise season, the survey was given to a random selection of cruise passengers on turnaround cruises and day visitors from northern and southern Europe and from outside of Europe. The Stockholm Office of Research and Statistics conducted the 2005 Cruise Passenger Survey for the Stockholm Visitors Board.

The Stockholm Cruise Network was created to enhance awareness of Stockholm as a cruise port and tourist destination among U.S. travel agents, consumers and cruise lines. Members include the Stockholm Visitors Board, Ports of Stockholm and an extensive local network that includes Scandinavian Airlines System, Stockholm Arlanda International Airport and numerous port agents, ground operators, local transportation companies, hotels and shops. More information at  www.stockholmcruise.com  or Stockholm Visitor Board's website at www.stockholmtown.com.