Ports & destinations

Banana Coast welcomes first cruise ship call

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 10 February 2014 10 February 2014

Banana Coast, the newest western Caribbean cruise port, welcomed its first cruise ship call at Trujillo, Honduras, today. Travel Dynamics International's U.S.-flagged 130-passenger Yorktown made the inaugural call and is scheduled to return next Monday.

After tendering ashore Yorktown guests were treated to performances by Garifuna musicians, browsed locally made crafts and set out on tours to the nearby rainforest as well as enjoyed the beach.

"It was rewarding to see Banana Coast come to life today with its first cruise passengers," said Randy Jorgensen, general manager of Grande Trujillo Authoridad, which developed the port. "Travel Dynamics' guests are interested in culture, history and nature when they cruise, and we are proud to offer a destination that delivers all of that and more."

Travel Dynamics International specializes in high-caliber educational cruises aboard intimate coastal cruise ships in North America, the Mediterranean, Antarctica and Africa. Banana Coast was added to Yorktown's "Tropical Islands, Rain Forests & Ancient Sites of Central America" itinerary.

Banana Coast has shopping, a newly built tender dock, reception center and transportation hub as well as 10 acres of beachfront right in the town of Trujillo, which was established in 1525. Diverse shore excursions feature the region’s Spanish colonial heritage and lush tropical setting with cultural, historical, soft-adventure and eco-tour offerings.

To date, five cruise lines have scheduled 20 calls on eight ships at Honduras' first mainland cruise destination. Holland America Line was the first major cruise company to commit to a series of port calls beginning in November 2014 through March 2015. Silversea Cruises has slated calls in December 2014 and March 2015. P&O Cruises and Oceania Cruises are slated to call in the first quarter of 2015.

Bonaire welcomed more than 16,000 cruise passengers

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 03 February 2014 03 February 2014

Bonaire experienced its busiest cruise week of the 2013/2014 Season in the week of January 20 - 26, 2014. Bonaire welcomed six cruise ships and over 16,000 cruise passengers. Bonaire had cruise calls from P&O Cruises, Celebrity/Royal Caribbean, AIDA Cruises, Holland American Line and Princess Cruises. Friday January 24th, 2014 was the busiest day with over 6,000 Cruise Passengers and two cruise
ships in port.

"We are extremely happy to see that our Cruise high season is going well. The week alone contributed USD $1.15 million to our economy. As we continue to expand our Cruise calls both in the high and low season, we also strive to observe Bonaire's carrying capacity. TCB would like to thank all theoperators, Taxi drivers and our private sector for providing our cruise passengers with an excellent customer service and experience. The organization at the port and the relaxed approach of our island is being greatly enjoyed" commented Ethsel Pieternella, Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. "Bonaire is at the top of the Caribbean in service to our visitors.''

Additional information regarding the Cruise Schedule is available online at:
www.tourismbonaire.com.

Port of Galveston approves five-year agreement with Royal Caribbean

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 28 January 2014 28 January 2014

The Port of Galveston announced that the Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves approved a 5 year agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. at Monday’s Board meeting. This agreement will generate a minimum of $1.86 million in annual operating revenues for the Port.

The agreement requires making improvements to the Port's Cruise Terminal No. 2 to accommodate larger vessels and more passengers. Initial plans are to increase the size of the terminal, expanding it to 150,000 square feet with the capacity to seat about 1,000. This expansion is estimated to cost approximately $10 million.

"The port has worked closely with Royal Caribbean to identify the upgrades needed to improve their operations at Cruise Terminal No. 2 for both Voyager class vessels and any larger vessels in the future. I’m confident that these improvements will be completed by spring 2015 without disruption to current cruise operations," said Port Director, Mike Mierzwa.

Royal Caribbean currently operates Navigator of the Seas year round from the Port of Galveston. The cruise line has agreed to an additional 30 calls in both 2014 and 2015, committing to a year-round vessel in both years with a promise to bring a larger vessel to the Port next year when improvements to Cruise Terminal No. 2 are completed.

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 handles over one million cruise passengers annually. The Port of Galveston is the homeport to Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph, and Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas. Port of Galveston ranks as the 4th busiest cruise port in the United States and one of the top twenty cruise ports in the world.

Heraklion Port Authority upgrades facilities, forecasts 24% rise in calls

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 29 January 2014 29 January 2014

Heraklion Port Authority on the Greek island of Crete says it continues its effort to upgrade the experience of the visitors cruising to Heraklion. "This is part of the 'customer experience enhancement program' project, which is partially implemented with local government and scientific organisations. Part of the above project is also the installation of two interactive systems at the ports Cruise Terminal, which the passengers visiting Heraklion in 2014 will have the chance to use," the Port said in a statement.

"The first system, called 'Infocloud', offers information on a variety of topics relating Crete (mythology, culture, etc.). The second system is a kinaesthetic game which is played on an interactive wall by one or more players, and uses body movements to 'collect' traditional Cretan products."

These systems provide an opportunity for the visitor to gain information about the history, the nature and the tradition of the island, through a different, more-experiential way, aided by innovative technologies developed in Crete.

"Furthermore, the Port Authority is getting prepared for an equally promising "cruise season" that started on January 11th, with the first call of the cruise ship MSC Fantasia. This new cruise season is characterised by an expected nominal increase on arrivals of 24%, which will give a significant boost to the local market, especially during the winter months," the Port said.

"During 2014, cruise passengers visiting Heraklion Port will have the opportunity to come in contact with Crete’s local flora, through the port’s new project called 'Herbs.' The project includes the planting of various species of Crete’s endemic plants and herbs along the route to the exit of the port. The visitor is stimulated to use both his senses to touch and smell the leaves and the fruits of each plant."

"Next to each plant, two informative signs are placed. The first one gives information about the morphological characteristics of the tree/plant, its history, its use in cooking, medicine & cosmetics, and finally its impact on the economic growth and the tradition of the inhabitants. The second sign gives a detailed way (eg recipe / preparation process for food / beverage or dessert) of the local cuisine, where the plant is used. The project was implemented by the Port Authority, in collaboration with the Municipality of Heraklion that offered the plants, and Crete’s Chefs Club that edited the recipes."

Icelandic cruise ground operator to launch Elf-inspired 'selfie' photo-sharing fun

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 21 January 2014 21 January 2014

Iceland Travel, the country’s premiere Cruise Ground Operator, is taking the “selfie" photo sharing phenomenon to an otherworldly level this summer, combining the island’s unique nature, colorful folklore and a traveler’s playful sense of discovery in what shall forever be known as the #ElfieSelfie.

The creative hashtag is the brainchild of Liz Gammon, Manager of Shore Excursions and Cruise Services at Iceland Travel who explains, “Iceland’s undeniably photogenic environment of glaciers, waterfalls, and steaming geysers is perfectly matched by its distinctive folklore tales of supernatural beings.” Gammon continues, “Bizarre lava formations were explained in folktales as trolls who turned to stone from being caught in the daylight. Along with quirky museums, outdoor statues and tiny elf houses, I think travelers are going to love locating and sharing these sites throughout Iceland’s ports with the #ElfieSelfie.”

Recently Ms. Gammon consulted with local elf experts while developing a cruise industry event and is mindful of respecting the traditional beliefs of folkloric beings known as "hidden people" that have been passed through generations since Viking times. Says Gammon, “We’re not making fun of the elves and don’t recommend visitors do either. These normally harmless creatures are known to become quite vengeful if disrespected.”

The Summer of #ElfieSelfie

While the publishers of Oxford Dictionaries named “selfie” the word of the year and it is the digital fad no one seems able to resist, Gammon says the timing of #ElfieSelfie feels right. “Beginning this summer, travelers to Iceland are encouraged to post photos on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #ElfieSelfie for the opportunity to be posted across Iceland Travel’s social media networks.” Gammon finishes by stating, “We’re not expecting anyone to capture a selfie with an actual Icelandic elf, but if they do it’s considered extraordinarily lucky!”