Ports & destinations

Copenhagen to introduce check in for flight home on board ship

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 08 October 2014 08 October 2014

Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP) says it is first to introduce problem-free check in onto flight home before the passengers leave the cruise liner. The system will be extended to more shipping lines and more ships in the 2015 season.

”We are the frontrunners with this system, and it is a win-win situation, both for us and the passengers,” says Arnt Møller Pedersen, COO Cruise & Ferries in CMP, said in a statement.

The morning when you have to disembark after your cruise and fly home during the day can be a bit stressful. What do you do with your luggage in the meantime, and how early should you be at the airport to get everything done?

Together with the airport and SAS, this season CMP has tested the On board check in solution, which will make it easier for passengers when returning home. With the help of a system developed by the American company Bags, the passengers can check in on-board and have their boarding pass printed at their leisure while still on the ship. And they can put their luggage outside their cabin the evening before they disembark. It is collected by the ship’s staff and placed in a safe room until the ship is in the port, after which it is taken in sealed trucks directly to the airport when the ship has docked.

”When the passengers don’t have to worry about their luggage or take time standing in line at the check in desk in the airport, they have more time for sightseeing in the city and can go directly to security when they arrive at the airport. This will contribute to developing CMP’s and the airport’s image, and extend the leading position we already have with shipping companies and passengers,” says Arnt Møller Pedersen.

”On board check in” had its European premier in early August when passengers on the ships Emerald Princess and Eurodam had the option of doing the check in for their flight home with SAS before arriving in Copenhagen. It will also be possible for passengers on board the two ships to make use of the new service during the rest of the season.

From 2015 the option will be extended to more shipping lines and more airlines with a common software platform, and the plan is that the bulk of the major cruise operators will take up the offer so that passengers have an even better experience with optimum processes.

Local banks to finance Port of Galveston cruise terminal expansion

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 06 October 2014 06 October 2014

Three Galveston County community banks have worked together on financing for a $13 million expansion of the Port of Galveston’s Cruise Terminal No. 2. Texas First Bank, HomeTown Bank and Moody National Bank each pitched in for the unique funding package for the expansion of Cruise Terminal No. 2 to accommodate larger vessels and more passengers.

When completed next spring, Cruise Terminal No. 2 will feature 150,000 square feet of space and have a seating capacity of 1,600 passengers. The port currently handles over one million cruise passengers a year and is the 4th busiest cruise port in the nation–and ranks among the top 20 in the world.

“We are fortunate to have community-minded bankers who understand the benefits the entire area derives from improving our capabilities,” said Port Director Michael Mierzwa. “The terminal expansion means we will be better able to serve a growing number of passengers who will sleep in our hotels, dine in our restaurants and shop in our stores, spreading the economic impact throughout the Galveston Bay region.”

Mierzwa said the teamwork exhibited by the three local banks sends a strong message to the cruise industry and other companies looking to grow in Galveston County. “When they see local financial institutions willing to work together like this,” he said, “they realize they have come to the right place at the right time. It bodes well for the future of our entire area.”

“We’re deeply grateful for the leadership of the three banks for making this project possible,” Mierzwa said. “Moody National Bank President Victor Pierson, Texas First Bank President and CEO Christopher C. Doyle, and HomeTown Bank President and CEO Jimmy Rasmussen were with us every step of the way. In addition, I’d like to recognize the work of HomeTown Bank Executive Vice President Scott Kusnerik, Moody National Bank Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer Mark Wilson, Moody National Bank Senior Vice President Michael Lerner, and Texas First Bank Assistant Vice President Sean Doyle.”

“We also appreciate the cooperation of the City of Galveston, City Council, and our own Port staff for their monumental efforts in helping us makes this great expansion possible. Everyone had a role to play, everyone pitched in with a spirit of cooperation, and everyone demonstrated what a community can do through teamwork.”

The Port of Galveston, Texas’ Star Cruise Port serves as the primary point of embarkation for cruises to the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas, and beginning in 2015 the Eastern Caribbean. Two cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Royal Caribbean International, sail from Texas’ premiere cruise port.

Aruba appoints “Cruise Manager”

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 05 October 2014 05 October 2014

To facilitate the growth of its rapidly growing cruise tourism business, the government of the Caribbean island of Aruba has appointed Mario Arends as its Cruise Manager. His job is to “reinforce the position of Aruba as a cruise destination in the Caribbean," Alan Lam reports.

According to official figures, during 2013 the island welcomed 688,472 cruise tourists from over 350 calls, representing 18.2% increase from the previous year.

However, in the current year, up till August, there has only been an accumulated increase of 4.0%. Mr Alands forecast this year’s overall number to be similar to that of 2013, falling short of expectation. This slowdown is attributed to various factors, among them the FIFA World Cup in Brazil that has taken some traffic from the Caribbean.

The island’s current port improvement programme will help creating a new momentum of growth. It also hopes to attract cruise tourists to the island for longer stays, as up till now most of them only arrive in Aruba for brief visits.

Banana Coast to welcome first mega ship October 15

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 06 October 2014 06 October 2014

Banana Coast, the newest cruise port in the western Caribbean, is preparing to host its first mega cruise ship call at the deep-water Bay of Trujillo, Honduras. Norwegian Cruise Line's 2,376-passenger Norwegian Jewel is scheduled to arrive Oct. 15, 2014, launching the port's inaugural cruise season with the first of 29 calls.

The port is planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony that is slated to include government and community leaders from around the region. Invitees include Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández; Vice President Ricardo Alvarez; ministers of tourism, environmental and natural resources, economic development, national security and national ports; and local mayors and government officials. A traditional plaque exchange between representatives of the port and Captain Sven Kenneth Harstrom, master of Norwegian Jewel, is planned. Also representing Norwegian Cruise Line will be Bjorn-Ove Hansen, director of nautical operations.

"Obviously, the community is very excited, and we're prepared to show visitors why Trujillo is a special place," said Randy Jorgensen, general manager of Grande Trujillo Autoridad, which developed the port. "We have been preparing for this day for years, and we look forward to showing the guests and crew of Norwegian Jewel that Banana Coast is like no place else in the Caribbean."

As guests disembark tenders they will be greeted by local Garifuna musicians -- dancers and performers in colorful attire. Establishments at the visitor center include a Jade Museum and jewelry shop, CocoLoco's organic frozen coconuts, a duty-free liquor and gift shop, and a variety of kiosks offering refreshments and souvenirs. To welcome cruise guests the community has erected bilingual signs, and personal Spanish-English translators will be on hand at the port to facilitate communication.

Banana Coast Tours offers 15 tours that include snorkeling, kayaking, waterfall explorations, horseback riding, beach breaks, nature expeditions, mangrove boat rides, jungle ATV adventures, and a variety of other cultural, historical and gastronomic excursions.

Six cruise lines have scheduled a total of 29 calls on eight ships at Banana Coast during the 2014-2015 winter Caribbean cruise season. Holland America Line was the first major cruise company to commit to a series of calls from November 2014 through March 2015. In addition to Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America, Silversea Cruises has slated calls in December 2014 and March 2015, and P&O Cruises and Oceania Cruises plan to call in the first quarter of 2015.

Andalucía presents Action Plan for cruise tourism

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 05 October 2014 05 October 2014

The Spanish province of Andalucía and its port authorities of Almería, Huelva, Motril, Cádiz, Málaga, Algeciras and Seville have jointly published an action plan, namely Plan de Acción 2015-2016, putting into motion measures aiming at attracting cruise ships and cruise tourists to the region, highlighting the “magnificent infrastructures” of its ports and tourism network. Alan Lam reports.

In 2013, the province as a whole received over 825,000 cruise passengers on 677 calls. About 87.0% of these tourists originated from outside of Spain, with 40.8% from the UK, 14.0% from Germany, and 10.0% from France.

Andalucía welcomes about 11.0% of total cruise tourists to Spain. The province’s Council for Tourism and Commerce estimates that this percentage can be increased to 15.0%.

Presenting the Plan, the Council stressed the importance of cooperation with airports anddestinations, creating synergies with local businesses and attractions.

Emphasizing the uniqueness of the region, the Plan also aims to make visitors wanting to return.

The strategy of the Plan includes the creation of a complete cruise package for the region and establishing a collective regional cruise trademark, namely “Andalucía Turismo de Cruceros”.

With a budget of €800,000, of which the Council of Tourism and Commerce contributes €500,000, the Plan also proposes to create a special commission for cruise tourism.

The targeted source markets, as listed by the Plan, include the UK, Germany, France and Spain; outside of Europe a special emphasis is placed on Brazil, China, USA and Russia.