Ports & destinations

Renovated Papetoai cruise facility opened

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 26 October 2016 26 October 2016

A renovated tender port of Papetoai on the island of Moorea was inaugurated on 4 October. The site is specifically dedicated to cruise ship passengers, who will now find covered premises for local arts & crafts, activities, shore excursions and transportation available on the island.

The work was partly financed by the FDC- Fonds de Développement de la Croisière (Cruise Development Fund), paid by the cruise companies for each passenger and call operated in French Polynesia.

“The works started in 2015, took 14 months to complete for a total of 146 500 000 F.CFP (approximately $ 1.4 million). This renovated landing site facilitates the cruise operations and enhances the guest experience in Moorea where the biggest cruise ships often call while in French Polynesia,” the port said in a statement.

“Just one year after the South Pacific Cruise Forum in Tahiti, this demonstrates the cohesion and willingness of the destination, which has steadily since 2010, improved and adapted the regulatory framework, the infrastructures, and the organisation of the incoming agencies for the development of the cruise industry,” it added.

French Riviera Cruise Club paid environmental visit on Norwegian Epic

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 26 October 2016 26 October 2016

The French Riviera Cruise Club (FRCC), which promotes the region to the cruise industry, organised an environmental visit on board Norwegian Epic during its stay in the Port of Cannes on 21 October.

“This visit allowed local stakeholders (institutions, associations, professionals) to look behind the scenes on cruise ships, with regards to environmental matters,” the organisation said in a statement.

The participants were able to visit the vessel installations that limit environmental impact in the following areas: air quality, noise, waste management and preservation of the marine environment.

As part of its work the FRCC runs an environmental commission with several objectives :

Cruise lines, agents : to encourage them to develop a concept of responsible cruising on the French Riviera (ranging from the vessel to excursions)
Cruise passengers : to offer them local and eco-responsible tourist products (group excursions, individual visits)
Local residents, associations : to become acquainted with the cruise industry
This information and environmental education campaigns, concerning the cruise sector in the region, are essential to ensure it functions well, FRCC said.

Valletta Cruise Port expects to handle record 700,000 passengers in 2017

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 18 October 2016 18 October 2016

Valletta Cruise Port in Malta expects to handle 700,000 passengers next year, which would be a new record. Last year, the port handled 668,227 passengers, it said in a statement as it welcomed Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star on its first call on 14 October.

Valletta Cruise Port’s CEO, and Global Ports Holding COO, Stephen Xuereb said that in 2017 Valletta Cruise Port will welcome a total of 20 calls by two vessels of Norwegian Cruise Line with over 45,000 passenger movements on Norwegian Star and Norwegian Spirit.

“We are currently taking stock of how we can further improve our key infrastructure and services. It is this journey of discovery that will allow us to continue exceling in what we offer, and together with other stakeholders reinvest ourselves to keep abreast of new developments,” he said.

Aurora opens Tortola’s 2016-17 cruise season

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 20 October 2016 20 October 2016

Melodic tunes of the live band echoed through the air as passengers disembarked P&O Cruises’ Aurora and were greeted by the friendly smiling faces of Customer Service Ambassadors. Excited to start their day, passengers traversed the welcome centre stopping at the various local stores to secure their special memento of their trip to Tortola, the port said in a statement.

“We have been to the BVI (British Virgin Islands) five times via cruise ship and we were really impressed coming off the ship and being welcomed to this area, especially with this lovely new shopping center. The addition of these shops in this area has made a big difference, as it adds to the few shops already found in town,” said two Aurora passengers.

Aurora has a passenger capacity of 1,950 passengers. Departing Southampton on 8 October, Aurora began its 15 day journey with its second stop at the Tortola Pier Park in the BVI.

“The Summer season allowed myself and my team the opportunity to strengthen our service quality, in preparation for the new season, ensuring that when customers enter the facility they receive the highest level of service possible and leave with a lasting positive experience. Upon arriving to the facility customers can expect a warm smile and friendly greeting as they come off the ship, live entertainment and a variety of complementary services. We are very excited as the season kicks off to be able to showcase Tortola Pier Park and the wider BVI to new and returning guests,” said Shonia Matthew – Palladino, Customer Service Manager.

The very active cruise season begins on October 2016 and ends in May 2017 with an expected 553,962 passengers and 11 new calls. Tortola Pier Park is open Monday through Saturday, 9am to 6pm and on Sundays and holidays when a cruise vessel is in port; with extended hours for restaurants and bars until 12pm. The new shopping facility now has 47 stores operational and is expecting a few more stores to be opened by the end of the year.

Carnival Cruise Line to treble Long Beach terminal to 142,000 sq ft

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 17 October 2016 17 October 2016

Carnival Cruise Line, the US focused contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it has signed an agreement with landlord Urban Commons and the City of Long Beach, Calif., to expand the Long Beach Cruise Terminal facility to accommodate larger ships in the future and enhance its terminal operations.

The deal will nearly triple the size of Carnival’s current terminal facility from approximately 66,000 square feet to 142,000 square feet.

Carnival has operated the Long Beach Cruise Terminal since 2003 using a partial area of the Geodesic Dome that was the former museum housing Howard Hughes’ “Spruce Goose” attraction. The agreement gives Carnival 100 percent use of the Dome, allowing for larger ships and providing additional space needed to accommodate two-way operations, enabling embarking guests to access the terminal prior to completion of disembarkation.

Construction is slated to be completed in late 2017. During the construction period, measures will be taken to ensure a continued smooth operational flow and high standard of customer service for cruise guests.