Ports & destinations

Record cruise ship visits to the Port of Vancouver in 2022

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 03 November 2022 03 November 2022

The final cruise ship of the season departed from the Port of Vancouver on November 2, completing a comeback year for the local cruise industry, following a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

The Port of Vancouver welcomed a record 306 cruise ship visits in 2022, an increase of 6% compared to 2019.

“It’s been fantastic to see cruise ships and passengers back in town after the two-year pause through the height of the pandemic,” said Robin Silvester, president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the federal agency mandated to enable Canada’s trade through the Port of Vancouver. “This year’s cruise season was an impressive comeback story for a critical catalyst for the local tourism industry and it provided a much-needed boost for many regional tourism and hospitality businesses. I’d like to thank our cruise lines partners, the Canada Place services provider Ceres Terminals Canada, the Cruise Lines International Association and all those working throughout the cruise and tourism industry for their hard work and dedication supporting this year’s return, under the federal government’s health framework.”

While passenger numbers were lower in 2022, as expected, as people slowly returned to their pre-pandemic travel habits, occupancy levels gradually increased throughout the season and are projected to average approximately 70% for the year. This will mean approximately 815,000 passenger visits Vancouver in 2022, compared to approximately 1.1 million in 2019.

The Port of Vancouver has welcomed cruise passengers to Vancouver for more than 40 years. However, in March 2020, as part of its Covid-19 response, the Government of Canada prohibited cruise ships in Canadian waters. That prohibition was lifted in November 2021 and all remaining Covid-19-specific travel requirements were removed on October 1, 2022.

“Progressively during the season, passenger numbers on cruise ships calling at the Port of Vancouver have risen, as pandemic restrictions eased and consumer confidence bounced back,” Silvester said. “Looking ahead, we’re seeing early indications of a record-setting season in 2023, which is a testament to the enduring strength of Vancouver’s cruise industry and this year’s successful return.”

Based on preliminary bookings, in 2023 there will be 334 cruise ship visits to the Canada Place cruise terminal at the Port of Vancouver. If the industry operates in line with normal capacities once again, Vancouver could have a record 1.3 million cruise passenger visits in 2023.

“We are so excited to be cruising from Vancouver after Covid-19 induced a two-year pause,” said Charlie Ball, chair of Cruise Lines International Association Alaska and Canada Cruise. “We are extremely grateful for the close collaboration of Transport Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Border Services Agency and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority – which enabled us to once again sail from Canada Place and help show off the amazing natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. We look forward to an even bigger season in 2023.”

“The return of cruise ships to Canada Place kicked off the rebuilding of Vancouver’s visitor economy,” said Royce Chwin, president and CEO of Destination Vancouver. “When those ships were back in the harbour and visitors were streaming into the city once again, we knew the corner had been turned. And to have the number of ships calling at our port exceed the industry’s peak in 2019 is absolutely remarkable.”

As the port authority works alongside the broader port community to advance environmental practices across the Port of Vancouver, it commends the cruise industry for its focus on shore power and environmental sustainability. On more than 100 visits this year, cruise ships connected to shore power resulting in an estimated reduction of more than 5,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, up from 81 visits and 3,626 tonnes of emissions saved in 2019.

Highlights for 2022 cruise season

– In 2022, leading global cruise lines, the Port of Seattle, City and Borough of Juneau, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and industry partners signed a new commitment to explore the feasibility of the world’s first cruise-led “green corridor” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
– Cruise returned to the Port of Vancouver on April 10, 2022, with the inaugural visit of the Holland America Line ship Koningsdam
– The last cruise ship of the season, the Crown Princess, is scheduled to depart Canada Place on November 2, 2022
– Overall, the average cruise ship passenger occupancy for 2022 was almost 70%. Through the season occupancy increased to a peak of about 76% in summer after starting the year at below 50%.
– In 2022, nearly 70% of cruise calls were shore power enabled, compared to 50% in 2019. Demand for shore power has steadily increased since 2009, when the Port of Vancouver became the first port in Canada and the third in the world to introduce it. The technology enables ships to shut down their diesel-powered auxiliary engines and plug into land-based electrical power. Shore power at the Port of Vancouver has helped reduce port-related greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25,000 tonnes since 2009.
– The 2022 season included several new cruise lines coming to Vancouver including Aurora Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions, Scenic Tours and Victory Cruise Lines
– Canada Place cruise terminal at the Port of Vancouver welcomed the return of Holland America, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Cunard Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Windstar, Viking Cruises, Victory Cruise Lines and Hurtigruten. These cruise lines all have ships that home port at the Port of Vancouver during the cruise season.
– Ten ships docked at Canada Place for the first time in 2022 including Discovery, Koningsdam, Majestic, Norwegian Spirit, Ocean Victory, Quantum, Scenic Eclipse, Silver Whisper, Star Breeze and the National Geographic Venture

Grenada expects over 200 cruise ship calls this season

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 25 October 2022 25 October 2022

The Grenada Tourism Authority ihas announced that the 2022 – 2023 cruise season commenced on Friday, October 21 with the arrival of Celebrity Summit, part of the Royal Caribbean Group, carrying 1500 passengers to the port at Melville Street, St. George’s.

Two hundred and two (202) cruise calls are scheduled this season, with an expected passenger count of 377,394, which represents an 11% increase from the benchmark 2018 – 2019 season.

Cruise tourism derives several benefits for host destinations such as: boosting revenue, job creation, infrastructure development, professional development and cultural exchange between foreigners and citizens. The season signals a period of economic growth for many sectors and creates an immediate multiplier effect by boosting the revenues of many local businesses such as the taxi and transportation sector, tour operators, local spice and craft vendors, artisans and restaurants.

CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority Petra Roach stated, “Grenada is ready for the 2022-23 cruise season. In preparation, the GTA has facilitated training and workshop sessions focused on professional development, hospitality and cultural engagement sessions, aimed at enhancing service excellence.

This is part of an overall strategy to ensure our tourism stakeholders such as taxi operators, artisans and vendors are prepared for the season and will provide high quality, culturally sound and professional services that enhance our destination marketing. Many cruise visitors are repeat visitors who choose to return to the destinations where they have had the best and most authentic experiences. Our overall growth in this sector speaks to strong consumer interest, our continued focus on expanding our product offering and our commitment to continuous product development and training for our stakeholders’ partners.”

Randall Dolland, Chairman of the Grenada Tourism Authority board remarked, “The cruise sector is important for Grenada as it generates substantial economic activity. The GTA is committed to improving Grenada’s product offering and increasing the number of ships and calls to our ports. In addition, we want to ensure further employment opportunities for our people.”

Speaking during the opening ceremony at the Melville street welcome center, The Honorable Lennox Andrews, Minister of Tourismc, was optimistic about the growth in the cruise sector, “Over the years, our team at the Grenada Tourism Authority has established an excellent network of industry partners as well as various public and private stakeholders and together they have all collaborated to take full advantage of the benefits of the cruise industry.”

The tourism officials at GTA are excited about the possibilities that exist for growth and development in the cruise industry and fully expect this season to be another milestone year for Grenada.

Luis de Carvalho joins Copenhagen Malmö Port as Commercial Cruise Director

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 27 October 2022 27 October 2022

Luis de Carvalho will join Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP), as the new Commercial Cruise Director, starting effective November 1st, 2022.

CMP is a full-service port operating in Copenhagen, Malmö and Visby welcoming approx. 500 cruise ship calls and one million passengers yearly. While Copenhagen is the leading turnaround port in the Baltic Sea region, with easy access to a well-connected international airport, all cruise terminals are in close proximity to city centres and airports and all of them are popular for transit calls.

CMP has the ambition to become one of the most sustainable ports in the world and is well underway to become CO2 neutral by 2025 by amongst other things focusing on an effective and sustainable cruise service.

"We are looking forward to welcoming Luis de Carvalho to CMP. We continuously strive to improve and to be a leader within cruise, which also means reducing environmental impacts, being closer to our customers, strengthening collaboration with the destinations and pushing for an even better guest experience. Luis’ skills and background make him very suitable to propel us forward as we continue to develop the cruise business with great ambitions," says Barbara Scheel Agersnap, CEO, Copenhagen Malmö Port.

Luis' extensive career in the cruise, tourism, and travel industry spans over 35 years and he has successfully managed port and destination development in Northern Europe, Baltic, Mediterranean, Atlantic Islands, Africa, Middle East, and Asia regions. He started his career in the cruise industry in 1986 with Premier Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in Miami, later spending 12 years with then Los Angeles based Crystal Cruises. For the last 10 years Luis has been managing Europe’s division of leading AEP firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners.

Luis will work closely with CCO Sune Norup Christensen as part of a dedicated team which oversees commercial cruise activities for all destinations at CMP.

Winter cruise season kicks off in Barbados

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 23 October 2022 23 October 2022

Cruising to Barbados is back, and the island celebrated the official arrival of the winter cruise season on Saturday, October 15th. Running through March 2023, the Barbados cruise season is the optimal time for travelers to experiences the island’s idyllic climate and warm, welcoming culture.

“We are ecstatic to welcome cruisers back to Barbados, whether they’ve visited us before or are experiencing our destination for the very first time,” said Cruise Barbados’ Senior Business Development Officer, Tia Broomes. “Barbados offers unforgettable experiences for even the most discerning of travelers, from extensive tours of Harrison’s Cave to rum tastings at Mount Gay Distillery, afternoons spent at Copacabana or private boat tours to swim with turtles. We also are pleased to celebrate the return of many wonderful destination events this year, along with some unique new tours and activities.”

Barbados anticipates welcoming over 700,000 cruise passengers between now and March, with more than 25 cruise lines calling on the destination. In recent weeks leading into the official start of its cruise season, the island has already welcomed two brand new ships - MSC Meraviglia and Seabourn Venture.

Known for offering the most authentic Caribbean experience, Barbados features an exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes. Rated as one of the world's sexiest beaches in 2008 by Concierge.com, Barbados' Crane Beach in St. Philip stands as a premier destination for travelers. The island itself is also the first Zagat-rated Caribbean Island and known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Barbados has hosted several world class events including the annual Barbados Food & Rum Festival (returning this fall), the 2006 PGA World Golf Championships-Barbados World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals in 2007, the Sentebale Charity Polo match with Prince Harry of Wales in 2010, the ICC Twenty20 Cricket Finals for 2010, and the Rihanna LOUD concert in 2012.

A variety of pre- and post-cruise land experiences are available to travelers, ranging from picturesque plantation houses and sprawling villas to quaint bed and breakfasts and award-winning, five-star resorts. Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S. cities, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean. Barbados was voted eighth in the World by Trip Advisor's "2008 Travelers' Choice Destination Awards" in its Top 100 Destinations category.