Ports & destinations

The Port of Québec welcomes Holland America's 150th anniversary cruise

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 02 September 2023 02 September 2023

In the midst of the international cruise season, the Port of Québec welcomed yesterday a cruise celebrating Holland America Line's 150th anniversary. The company is the first cruise line to have made Quebec City its significant home port for more than 20 years. The company links New York and Boston to Quebec City along the Canada-New England route and is a pioneer in cruise activity outside the Fall peak season, with ports of call as early as May.

This year, more than 30,000 passengers will dock in Quebec City on Holland America Line ships, making it one of the Port of Québec's most important partners. Holland America Line has also paved the way for other major cruise lines to include this destination in their itineraries.

“We are delighted to welcome today passengers from the Zuiderdam cruise ship and Captain Bart Vaartjes. This is a unique moment for Holland America Line as it celebrates its 150th anniversary, quite a historical event! This is a unique opportunity to highlight the strong bond between Quebec City and the company, built up over more than 100 years. We would like to thank Holland America Line for placing its trust in Quebec City and the St. Lawrence River. We look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come,” says Mario Girard, President and CEO of the Port of Québec.

A lasting relationship since 1910

The relationship between Quebec City and Holland America Line goes back a long way. While it was a cargo company based in the Netherlands, the ship Zaandijk visited Quebec City for the first time on May 14, 1910. The company's first cruise ship, the Veendam, docked in Quebec City on August 11, 1937. At that time, Quebec City was one of the main gateways for immigration to Canada, and the company played an important role in bringing hundreds of people to the country. The first ship of the company to carry immigrants was the Volendam, which arrived in Quebec City on June 21, 1948.

“As we celebrate our 150th anniversary and the 113th year visiting Quebec City, we are pleased to be able to mark the occasion with our friends and partners of the Port of Québec, Destination Québec cite, and other local stakeholders,” said Gus Antorcha, President of Holland America Line. “Since our first port of call, the Port of Quebec has played a role in Holland America Line's success, serving as the gateway to Canada and beyond for many travellers. Quebec City is in fact the most popular port for Holland America Line customers around the world. We look forward to continue visiting it in the coming years.”

Quebec City, a popular destination for cruise passengers

Quebec City is the most important cruise port on the St. Lawrence River, accommodating more than 140,000 passengers in 2023 and being the only city where every cruise ship makes a port of call on the entire St. Lawrence River. Besides being a UNESCO-recognized destination and a popular destination for cruise passengers, Quebec City stands out as a leader in managing growth and traffic.

The Port of Quebec has been limiting the number of passengers and cruise ships visiting Quebec City since 2014. Each day, a maximum of 15,000 passengers can dock at the port, and no more than four ships can be berthed at the same time. This practice, which was groundbreaking at the time it was introduced in North America, was agreed with all the stakeholders involved to ensure the best possible experience for both cruise passengers and locals. As a renowned port of call and boarding and disembarking hub, the port welcomes the biggest cruise lines and ranks among the most satisfactory destinations for passengers.

“Cruises play an important role in Quebec City, connecting its rich and diverse history to the rest of the world. By marking 150 years of Holland America Line, we are celebrating much more than just sailing: we are honouring an unbreakable bond between this iconic city and travellers from all over the world. Cruises are symbols of exchange and discovery and have shaped the Quebec City region into a must-see destination, bringing together the past and the future along the St. Lawrence River,” says Robert Mercure, General Manager of Destination Québec cité.

“The Port of Quebec is committed to constantly improving its practices and will continue to position itself as a leader in the international cruise sector. It is through partnerships such as the one with Holland America Line that we will succeed in developing with partners committed to the development of cruises in Quebec City within an increasingly sustainable and viable industry that is perfectly in line with our 2035 vision,” explains Mario Girard, President and CEO of the Port of Quebec.

Carnival Cruise Line's new Grand Bahama cruise port destination will be called Celebration Key

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 29 August 2023 29 August 2023

Carnival Cruise Line has announced that the name of its new destination in the Bahamas is… Celebration Key.

As Carnival gets ready to open itineraries in late September for cruises that will call on its highly-anticipated exclusive cruise port destination on Grand Bahama, it revealed the name – Celebration Key – to guests, employees, travel advisors and Bahamian officials yesterday. Celebration Key is the first port destination exclusively designed for Carnival Cruise Line guests and its name is based on the vision for the destination to be a celebration of all that Carnival and The Bahamas has to offer for a memorable vacation. Once complete, it will be capable of welcoming two million guests each year.

“We are working very closely with the Government of The Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Port Authority to ensure that we are highlighting the best of Grand Bahama and its culture, combined with fun like only Carnival can provide,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. “Invoking the natural beauty of Grand Bahama, every day at Celebration Key will be a celebration of our guests’ own making with a variety of experiences and something for everyone.”

Grand Bahama is a northern island of The Bahamas and is known its breathtaking beaches, lush vegetation, and friendly people. Celebration Key will offer a uniquely Bahamian experience with an abundance of features and amenities, including a one-mile stretch of white-sand beach, as well as Bahamian-operated retail, food and beverage options for Carnival guests to enjoy. For the ultimate convenience and maximum enjoyment time, the adjacent cruise pier will be able to accommodate up to two of Carnival’s Excel-class ships simultaneously to allow guests to walk off the ship and arrive at Celebration Key. A groundbreaking ceremony for the destination was held in May 2022 and design, engineering and construction work is now underway.

In late September, Carnival plans to announce further details of the destination, along with opening for sale the first itineraries on at least ten ships from multiple homeports that will include a visit to Celebration Key, with the first cruises calling on the destination in July 2025.

Global Ports Holding taps Andres Villalever as Advisor, Business Development, Retail & OPR

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 02 August 2023 02 August 2023

Global Ports Holding, the world’s largest cruise port operator, has announced the appointment of Andres Villalever as Advisor, Business Development, Retail & On-Property Revenue, reporting directly to the Chairman & CEO,. Mehmet Kutman. With his extensive experience, expertise, and fresh perspectives, Villalever is poised to make a significant contribution to GPH’s ongoing success.

In his new role, Villalever will spearhead the development of top-tier retail and on-property revenue experiences across all GPH ports and other tours & experiences, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company's commercial business.

Mehmet Kutman, Chairman & CEO of Global Ports Holding said: “We are thrilled to have Andres as part of our international team of experts and confident that his exceptional contributions will significantly impact our company's growth and success.”

Prior to joining Global Ports Holding, Villalever served as Senior Director, Retail at Carnival Cruise Lines for 6 years. Andres Villalever brings over 20 years of international experience in retail, business development, merchandising, and partnerships, spanning brick-and-mortar, onboard, and e-commerce domains. His impressive track record in the travel, tourism, and hospitality entertainment industries, including notable contributions to Carnival Cruise Lines' Port Shopping and Xcaret Group's Theme Parks/Hotels, positions him as an invaluable asset for driving our organization forward and achieving our strategic objectives.

Villalever has a proven track record in developing new concepts, stores, products, and negotiating great partnerships. His expertise will play a vital role in expanding our retail offerings and creating memorable experiences for our guests. We are confident that his addition to our team will further elevate Global Ports Holding's position as a leader in the cruise port industry."

Galveston Wharves, MSC, Norwegian continue negotiations for 4th cruise terminal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 24 August 2023 24 August 2023

The Galveston Wharves continues negotiations with MSC and Norwegian cruise lines to develop a fourth cruise terminal at the fourth most popular cruise home port in the U.S.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said, “We’re excited about the huge potential of this mutually beneficial public-private partnership. Adding MSC to our family of cruise lines would offer our cruise guests an elegant, European-style cruise experience. It would elevate our status as a top U.S. cruise home port, boost the regional economy and allow MSC to reach a new market of millions of cruise passengers in the Central U.S.”

Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees Chairman Harry Maxwell said, “We remain committed to working on a mutually beneficial partnership to bring these world-class cruise lines to homeport in Galveston.”

Jeff Patterson, chairman of the board’s Finance Committee, “I’m strongly supportive of the fourth cruise terminal and am looking forward to finalizing the details so we can move forward together.”

The Wharves Board has already authorized the expenditure of $673,000 for design and pre-engineering cost estimates for the proposed terminal.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said, “We remain committed to our plans for a new home port in Galveston as part of our ongoing North American expansion. Bringing our modern, glamorous ships to Texas would provide our guests and travel advisors even more opportunities to experience the future of cruising and enjoy our distinctive European style. We’ve had productive discussions with the Galveston Wharves, and we’re continuing to negotiate with them as we chart MSC Cruises’ future in the U.S. market.”

MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest and fastest-growing cruise brand. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the privately held company employs a staff of more than 30,000 globally. It is the market leader in Europe, South America, the Persian Gulf region and Southern Africa, with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and Far East markets.

Rees said, “Our popularity as a cruise home port is reflected in the growth of our passenger counts and sailings. In 2023 we forecast a record 362 sailings, the highest in the port’s 22 years as a cruise port. This is great news for the port and our region because our cruise business is a major revenue and jobs generator.”

Regional economic benefits

The local impact of the port’s 2022 cruise activity includes 3,500 jobs, $568 million in local business revenue, and $73.5 million in local purchases by passengers and crew. A fourth cruise terminal is forecast to generate an additional 925 jobs, $177 million in revenues, and $21 million in local purchases.

Rees added that a fourth cruise terminal is included in the port’s 20-Year Strategic Master Plan, designed to guide major capital and maintenance projects to maximize assets; optimize the port’s cruise, cargo, commercial and lay business sectors; and boost the regional economy with jobs and revenues.

The negotiations follow the opening of the port’s third new cruise terminal in November. The $125 million, state-of-the-art terminal at Pier 10 was developed through a public-private partnership.

Haifa Port announces the selection of the designer for Israel's’ first purpose-built cruise terminal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 31 July 2023 31 July 2023

In a major step, Haifa Port announces that it has selected Bermello, Ajamil & Partners (BA) to design the first purpose-built Cruise Terminal in Israel. Bermello, Ajamil & Partners is the most recognized cruise terminal designer in the world and has successfully executed homeport cruise terminal projects from planning to commissioning in six continents. The firm has designed major terminals in Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, Singapore, New York, Galveston, Mauritius, and many others. The firm is highly acclaimed for its designs that blend into the cities that they reside while providing the highest level of guest services.

Haifa Port has rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting and fastest-growing cruise destinations in the post-pandemic era. Previously known for its relatively modest number of passengers, Haifa has experienced an extraordinary surge in popularity, attracting an impressive influx of approximately 380,000 Israeli passengers and 250,000 tourists either calling the port or embarking on cruises. This remarkable growth has been accompanied by the arrival of almost 30 different cruise brands, with 10 of them choosing Haifa as their homeport.

The new cruise terminal is set to become the first significant project of Haifa Port after its privatization earlier this year. Now owned by India's Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (70%) and Israel's Gadot Group, the port views cruises and tourism as pivotal components of its future. The new terminal is poised to elevate Haifa to the next level as a major cruise hub in the Mediterranean.

The design of the new terminal will be especially sensitive to the history and culture of Israel, as well as the planned waterfront development. This commitment to preserving the essence of Israel's heritage and seamlessly integrating into Haifa's future growth highlights the port's dedication to a harmonious and sustainable expansion.