Ports & destinations

BVI Ports Authority welcomes AIDAbella's first call to the territory

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 27 November 2013 27 November 2013

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) Ports Authority welcomes AIDAbella on its first call to the British Virgin Islands. The ship berthed at the Cruise Pier in Road Town, Tortola at midday, November 27, and will leave later this evening.

AIDAbella, which brings 2,050 passengers and over 600 crew members to the BVI, is on one of the last segments of a 14-day cruise. Before returning to La Romana, Dominican Republic on Saturday, the ship’s next port of call is Basseterre, St. Kitts.

At the official inaugural ceremony on board this afternoon, Captain David Adrian and the Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark Vanterpool exchanged greetings and plaques to officially commemorate the ship’s first visit.

Captain Adrian said along with AIDA bella, this was also his first visit to the BVI. He said he was very happy to be in Tortola as he was told the BVI is one of the most beautiful destinations. The captain also said he was confident there will be many good reports from the ship’s guests.

In his presentation to the captain, Honourable Vanterpool said he is hopeful that the guests and crew enjoy their visit. He further stated, “The Ministry [of Communications and Works] and the BVI Ports Authority will do our best to ensure you are comfortable upon each visit.”

After the ceremony, Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Mr. Claude O. Skelton Cline commented: “I am grateful for the opportunity to see the beautiful ship and meet with its captain and crew.”

Mr. Skelton Cline also said the Territory should note that AIDA bella is returning to the cruise pier on December 11 and Christmas Day. He encouraged businesspersons to especially extend courtesies for AIDAbella on Christmas.

Other officials at the inaugural ceremony included representatives from Island Shipping, BVI Tourist Board, Ministry of Communications and Works and the BVI Ports Authority.

The BVI Ports Authority is responsible for the Territory’s cruise infrastructure and facilitates port calls.

Atlantic Alliance in food & wine promotion

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 27 November 2013 27 November 2013

The member ports of Atlantic Alliance, a marketing association of 18 cruise ports and destinations located along the European West Coast from Hamburg to Lisbon plus British and Irish ports, have created a very special personal recipe book highlighting favourite culinary specialties.

On in total 50 pages, the port representatives describe their national “must-try”. Aperitifs, appetizers, main courses or desserts: everything is delicious. For example the German Grünkohl (Kale), which is a traditional Northern German dish, mainly served during the cold months in late autumn and winter or the Dutch Wentelteefjes (Dutch eggy bread) always go down a treat at breakfast or brunch on the weekend.

Antwerps’ Kattina Glasinovich presents „Elixir d‘Anvers“, a wholesome liqueur, which has been in existence since 1863. It is made from 32 plants and herbs from the four corners of the world which impart a unique taste to the liqueur. The representatives of the United Kingdom show how to prepare scones with clotted cream and jam, while Michael McCarthy from Cork shows how to cook a real Irish stew.

The Normandy offers a huge and rich variety of seafood. Cakes as well the “crepe suzette” are definitely worth a try. The most popular dish of Cantabria is the Cocido Montañes, a stew. Dolores Rois from the Port of Vigo explains the myths and mysteries surrounding the ritual of making queimada, the “fire drink” of Galicia. And last but not least, Lisbon’s clams in garlicky broth are unique and were named after Bulhão Pato, a 19th-century Portuguese poet. Although his verses have been largely forgotten, the dish remains popular throughout Lisbon.

Cruising injects almost £50 million to Scottish economy

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 22 November 2013 22 November 2013

With Scotland’s cruise ports already set to attract a record number of passengers next year, the campaign to attract more visitors in the future is being stepped up by marketing association, Cruise Scotland.

An end-of-season report reveals that passenger figures this year were up 9.7% on 2012 to 384,639 influenced in part by increasing vessel capacity. Vessel calls at 454 were down slightly on the 466 ships seen last year. Cruise tourism is estimated to have been worth £48.8 million to Scotland in 2013, a rise of 5% from last year.

The trend towards larger vessels continues with 450 arrivals currently expected in 2014, carrying approximately 390,000 passengers, the highest number yet to ports around the country.
Victor Sandison, Cruise Scotland’s Chairman, said: “Working closely with the Scottish Government and various agencies, we continue to make significant progress in a highly competitive, expanding international market.

“Over the past four seasons, vessels calling are up 26%, passengers by 43% and the value of cruise tourism to Scotland by 52.5%. We are committed to increasing awareness of the country’s many attractions, improving visitor experience and growing our market share.”

Scotland’s Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism, Fergus Ewing MSP, said: “With the end of season figures showing an increase in passenger figures during 2013 as well as 2014 currently scheduling around 390,000 passengers, these are very encouraging results. They are testament to the hard work of all the industry and the hard work of the Cruise Scotland team.

“The Scottish Government will continue to support the cruise industry, across all of Scotland, and we will work closely together in order to make the most of what Scotland has to offer at every potential destination – irrespective of the size of the vessel.”

Cruise Scotland is to continue its presence at industry events in 2014, including Cruise Shipping Miami in March and Seatrade Med in Barcelona in September.

It has identified opportunities to promote Scotland outside English-speaking markets, including France, Spain and Italy. Having successfully coordinated a number of earlier familiarisation visits to Scotland for cruise operators, the organisation has plans to increase this activity in 2014.

Challenges faced by the industry currently include continued lobbying with other UK bodies, trade associations and ports to resolve issues over the UK Border Force’s face-to-document checks for passengers; tougher sulphur emission controls from 2015 which may impact on cruise calls to some Scottish ports; and constraints on coach capacity in some regions alongside insufficient tour guides with linguistic skills.

The association was established in 2009 to promote and market Scotland as a first-class cruise destination to operators and work on behalf of members on relevant issues. It now has 20 members, including 16 ports, large and small, two major ground handlers/shore excursion providers and two castles, with recruitment ongoing.

Copenhagen upgrades capacity to receive 500 calls per year

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 22 November 2013 22 November 2013

Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP), the Danish-Swedish port company, says it has been continuously developing its cruise operation by gradually improving infrastructure, service and information so that it can receive 500 cruise ship calls instead of the 344 arrivals in 2013.

"It means that passengers and crews feel welcome and are keen to return to Copenhagen. In order to ensure future growth in the cruise traffic, a large new quay is under construction, to be put into operation in 2014. At the same time, three new cruise pavilions have been completed, each of which comprises 3,300 square metres. Three ships can be received simultaneously at the new quays. In total the expansion will mean that CMP can welcome up to 500 arrivals per year," the company said in a statement.

A new record was set during this year’s cruise season when the six millionth cruise passenger visited Copenhagen and CMP. The city is currently Northern Europe’s largest and most popular cruise destination. During 2013 CMP will receive 344 arrivals in Copenhagen, the port said.

Hamburg expects 600,000 passengers in 2014

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 14 November 2013 14 November 2013

The number of cruise passengers in Hamburg has exceeded half a million for the first time and in 2014, Hamburg Cruise Centre that operates two terminals in the city forecasts the figure to reach 600,000

Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2’s visit on 6 November pushed this year’s passenger count above the 500,000 mark “For the first time ever Hamburg has achieved this magical mark in a single season and, moreover, done so two years earlier than planned,” said Frank Horch, Senator of the Ministry for Economic, Transport and Innovation Affairs.

To date 191 planned ship’s calls have been registered for the 2014 season. Of the total, 181 will be ships beginning or ending their cruises in Hamburg, of which 52 will be partial turn-arounds, and ten will be transit calls. “The number of passengers will increase to just under 600 000,” forecasted Dr. Stefan Behn, Chairman of the Board of Hamburg Cruise Center