Ports & destinations

First cruise ship of 2017-2018 season transits the Expanded Canal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 01 November 2017 01 November 2017

On October 26, the Caribbean Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, became the first cruise ship of the 2017-2018 season to transit the Expanded Panama Canal.

As part of its roundtrip itinerary, the Caribbean Princess did a turnaround transit through Agua Clara Locks on the Atlantic side. The cruise began its roundtrip 10-night itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, passing through the Bahamas, Cartagena (Colombia), Cristobal (Panama), Limon (Costa Rica) and the Cayman Islands with 3,086 passengers on board.

The Caribbean Princess was built in 2004 and has a maximum capacity of 3,600 passengers. It is a modified Grand Class cruise ship with 900 balcony staterooms, a deck of mini-suites, and the first outdoor theater on a modern cruise ship.

The Panama Canal expects to receive approximately 236 cruise ships through the Panamax and Neopanamax Locks during the upcoming 2017-2018 cruise season, which officially began on October 2, 2017.

In April 2017, Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wonder became the first cruise ship to transit the Expanded Canal. This season, the ship will transit the Canal again along with the Caribbean Princess, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Splendor and Norwegian Bliss.

Together, the five ships will make a total of 20 transits, and 11 new cruise ships will transit either the Canal's Panamax or Neopanamax Locks for the first time from the following lines: Princess Cruise, Norwegian Cruise, Carnival Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Lindblad Special Expedition and Ponant.

Port Everglades extends slip for larger cruise ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 24 October 2017 24 October 2017

Larger cruise ships as long as 1,100 feet can now dock at Broward County's Port Everglades Cruise Terminal 4 without extending into the Intracoastal Waterway.

The $18-million Slip 2 construction project, adjacent to the recently renovated Cruise Terminal 4, lengthened the slip by 225 feet from the original 900 feet. The total 1,125-foot slip length meets the needs of most of today's modern cruise ships such as Holland America's Line's Pinnacle-class ships, which were introduced at Port Everglades during the 2017 cruise season with the U.S. debut of the ms Koningsdam or Princess Cruises' Royal-class ships, which also homeport at Port Everglades. Carnival Cruise Line is currently the primary user of the newly extended berth.

The Port Everglades Department is a self-supporting Enterprise Fund of Broward County, Florida government that does not rely on local tax dollars for operations. No local taxes were used for the Slip 2 extension project. The total value of economic activity related to Port Everglades is nearly $30 billion. Each cruise ship call at Port Everglades generates an estimated $2.2 million in business revenue for the local community.

Port Everglades is consistently ranked as one of the three busiest cruise ports in the world with more than 3.8 million passengers in fiscal year 2016 (October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016). Ten cruise lines, one ferry service and more than 40 cruise ships sail from the South Florida seaport including: Balearia's Bahamas Express (ferry), Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Pearl Seas Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Silversea Cruises.

Tortola Pier Park's campaign pledges continued growth despite hurricane impact

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 16 October 2017 16 October 2017

The Management of Tortola Pier Park Ltd. (TPPL) commits to a quick recovery via their “our story continues” campaign.

Tortola Pier Park’s restoration campaign was created to let customers, shareholders and partners know, that despite the impact of hurricane Irma and Maria to the BVI, Tortola Pier Park’s story of providing stellar guests experiences and unique shopping options, will continue. The campaign is slated to be launched internationally during the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Conference to be held from Oct. 23rd – 27th, 2017.

“We are sending a clear message to our customers, partners and shareholders that yes Tortola Pier Park and the BVI has been affected by two major hurricanes but our story does not end there. We are diligently working closely with the Government of the Virgin Islands and the BVI Ports Authority to ensure a speedy restoration to the facility. Our motivated staff and tenants are eager and ready to once again welcome our valued customers and cruise partners to Tortola Pier Park and we will do so with revitalized passion and strength, continuing our story of being one of the premier cruise and shopping facilities in the Caribbean," said Meslyn Allan, Leasing & Marketing Manager of Tortola Pier Park Ltd.

The “Our Story Continues” Public Relations campaign focuses on the strength of the BVI as seen in the resilience of its people, with a goal of continued growth despite challenges encountered. The campaign consists of a vibrant booth display at FCCA showcasing the BVI and awarding wining Tortola Pier Park, informational cards, branded apparel, press releases, social media posts and promotion of the campaigns hashtag #ourstorycontinues.

Tortola Pier Park is slated for a partial reopening of the facility on November 1st, 2017 followed by a Christmas celebration on December 22nd & 23rd, 2017. The Christmas event will serve as a return of the popular movie night which will be apart of a wider Christmas shopping and dining campaign.

After every storm comes a beautiful story of hope, resilience, and strength. As the BVI regroup and rebuild, Tortola Pier Park will continue their story of growth. Get ready to once again experience Tortola Pier Park – the premier choice for shopping, dining and entertainment, for locals and visitors in the BVI!

Royal Caribbean International to return to St Thomas 10 November

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 18 October 2017 18 October 2017

Ships of Royal Caribbean International, the contemporary market unit in the Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd (RCCL) group, will resume calls at St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands on 10 November, the company said in a statement.

The calls have been suspended since early September due to hurricanes that hit the island.

“In partnership with the government of the US Virgin Islands, Royal Caribbean also has committed to undertaking the complete restoration of Magens Bay, one of St. Thomas' most popular tourist attractions – with plans for a grand re-opening of the pristine destination during Adventure of the Seas' visit on 10 Nov,” the company said.

Power and water to the island are fully restored and most downtown shops, restaurants and bars and tour operators are fully operational, so that guests will be able to experience a diverse and extensive array of dining, shopping and activities, it added.

Port of Piraeus welcomes new Viking Sun

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 12 October 2017 12 October 2017

PPA SA executives welcomed the newly built cruise ship Viking Sun at the Piraeus port and handed an honorary plaque to the Captain Anders Steen on Wednesday, October 11.

Viking Cruises has been operating in the Mediterranean in recent years making turn-arounds in Piraeus. The cruise ship is 227 meters long, begun its maiden voyage from Venice, has 9 decks and offers capacity for a total of 930 passengers.