Mayflower Terminal in Southampton reopens after refurbishment

Southampton’s Mayflower Cruise Terminal has reopened following a multi-million pound refurbishment that will enable it to cater for some of the largest cruise vessels afloat, long into the future, Associated British Ports that owns the port said in a statement.

"The terminal, which handles a significant proportion of the city’s cruise turnaround calls, now features a remodelled open plan interior, with expanded security, check in and passenger reception areas. It will provide passengers with an enhanced experience at the start and finish of their holiday," the company said.

ABP Southampton says the project has been critical to ensure Southampton retains its title as Europe's Leading Cruise Turnaround Port amidst a predicted rise in passengers.

“The improved passenger lounge, together with increased check in and security areas will allow us to ensure just that and give our customers passing through Southampton the very best passenger experience with reduced congestion.”

Nick Ridehalgh, ABP Southampton director, added: “We are incredibly proud to hold the title of Europe’s Leading Cruise Turnaround Port but, as always, we will never rest on our laurels. We are committed to investing heavily in our facilities in order to help port-related businesses grow and provide world-class service to their customers.”

The Mayflower Cruise Terminal is one of four in Southampton and regular callers include the QM2, Ventura and the brand-new Britannia.

More than 200 staff have been working on the renovation over the winter months and other improvements to the terminal include additional passenger and baggage x-ray machines and a complete redesign of the drop-off and pick-up area.

Hundested in Denmark to handle first cruise calls in 2016

Port of Hundested, north of Copenhagen in Denmark, will receive its first cruise ship calls next year. “It is the Fred Olsen Cruise, which has chosen to make a call in Hundested next year.  And Saga Cruises, also British, which put Hundested in their program as one of its new destinations in 2016,” the port said in a statement.

 “The small authentic harbour appeals greatly to the British cruise guests. In 2014, we set the goal to increase the response to the British cruise lines. Hundested offers a charming harbour near to the locals. At the same time the guests can experience both the Viking sea route through the small Roskilde Fjord, the Viking Ship Museum, Hamlet's castle Kronborg and other royal historical attractions and nature along the Danish Riviera”, says Birgitte Bergman, head of cruise and marketing manager in VisitNordsjaelland, which promotes tourism in the region

 “Hundested Harbour has experienced a rapid development. From being a busy ferry port it is now tourism that really blooms up: Few years ago the locals invested in own restaurant brewery at the harbour. A glassblower, small workshops, craftsmen and galleries came and we had made our annual, popular sand sculpture festival. Now are we proud that we have managed to create an authentic harbour environment that is attractive for cruise passengers”, says port manager Port of Hundested Søren Brink.

Call from the British cruise lines have not been easy. It has been a constructive collaboration, between SDK Cruise, Hundested Harbour and VisitNordsjaelland. The first two calls generate approx. 1.500 cruise passengers. Port manager Søren Brink and head of cruise and marketing in VisitNordsjaelland, Birgitte Bergman is working on more calls and also like large ships coming years. The port has the necessary facilities, water depth and quays. The maximum lengthfor visiting cruise ships in 230 metres and maxiumum draft 7.9 metrs.

Port of Hundested
Hundested lies on the seaway from Skagerrak to Copenhagen and further to the Baltic Sea.Distance by sightseeing bus to Copenhagen is only 75 minutes.

Anthem of the Seas departed Columbus Cruise Center after final outfitting

As the final outfitting reached the end, Columbus Cruise Center (CCCB) said goodbye to Anthem of the Seas yesterday. On 30th March 2015, Meyer Werft transferred Anthem of the Seas to Bremerhaven for its final outfitting. Approximately 5500 pallets with diverse equipment were brought onboard. The amount of packaging materials, waste and other materials that have returned is hardly to specify.

A particular challenge was the poor weather conditions at the beginning of the time spent in port. Despite the heavy storm that took place for several days, all tasks were able to be initiated and completed on time, so that Meyer Werft could officially hand over Anthem of the Seas on 10th April 2015 to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. During the stay, CCCB was the base for around 1200 Meyer Werft employees and their suppliers as well as for 1400 crew members.

Anthem of the Seas was the 6th newbuild that had its final outfitting at CCCB. In autumn, CCCB awaits another new that is already under construction at Meyer Werft determined for Norwegian Cruise Line.

On 21st April 2015, Fram from Hurtigruten will start off the classical cruise season at Columbus Cruise Center. This year, Bremerhaven expects around 75 000 passengers.

Royal Caribbean promotes Chinese city of Guangzhou

At last, it seems that the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou is receiving the well-deserved attention from the cruise business. Alan Lam reports.

Up till now the focus of the booming cruise business in China has been on Shanghai, Tianjin, Sanya, Xiamen and Hong Kong. China’s third largest city Guangzhou - with the population of between 13 and 14 million, nearly twice that of Hong Kong - seems to have escaped the radar of international cruise lines. This is about to change, as more and more resources are poured into the region.

Situated only 120 kilometres northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou has long been one of the wealthiest cities in China. It is the country’s gastronomic capital with year round cruise potentials. Its mild sub-tropical climates have attracted visitors from far and wide for centuries.

Modern Guangzhou is an air, sea and land transport hub. It is also one of China’s main economic engine rooms. The city is building its own cruise homeport with an initial investment budget of RMB17 billion. Phase One of the project began in late 2014. The new terminal will include a berth for 100,000gt and one for 225,000gt vessels. Guangzhou has been looking to cooperate with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in developing this project further. A third berth is expected for completion during 2017-18.

This month, Royal Caribbean International and CITS (China International Travel Service Ltd) - China’s leading outbound travel agent – have jointly launched a six-month promotion of cruise tourism in Guangzhou.

The city has hitherto been under-promoted in the cruise world. It has been overshadowed by both Hong Kong and Shanghai. With its own cruise terminal, cruise tourism in Guangzhou is set to take off to a new height in the coming years. 

Gothenburg cruise season under way

The first cruise ship of the year arrived at the Port of Gothenburg on April 9, marking the start of the 2015 cruise season. A total of 52 ships carrying 100,000 passengers are due to visit Gothenburg in 2015.

Early on Thursday morning, AIDAcara made her way into Frihamnen at the Port of Gothenburg. On board were 1,200 Germans eagerly looking forward to the day ahead. She is one of 52 cruise ships – carrying 100,000 passengers – that are due to visit Gothenburg in 2015.

"This year we will be welcoming more large cruise ships to Gothenburg than previously. The general trend in the cruise industry is towards bigger ships carrying more passengers," said Jill Söderwall, Head of Cruise Operations at the Port of Gothenburg.

Fewer calls than last year 2014 was a record season with 73 calls and 108,000 passengers. The number of calls this year has fallen to 52 although the number of passengers has remained at roughly the same high level.

The fall in the number of calls has not just affected Gothenburg but the whole of Scandinavia and the Baltic countries.

"The number of visits by cruise ships is down by around 5 per cent throughout the region. Instead, bigger ships have been brought into service carrying more passengers, which could be the result of new demands for cleaner and thus more expensive marine fuel in the North Sea and the Baltic," said Jill Söderwall.

The season will run through to October 18 with one Christmas visit in December.