Ports & destinations

Port of Galveston the second fastest growing cruise port in the U.S.

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 17 July 2013 17 July 2013

The Port of Galveston ranks as the fourth busiest cruise port in the U.S. based upon embarkation according to a recent study prepared by Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA) for the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). In 2012, the Port of Galveston, Texas’ only major cruise port, welcomed 863,000 passenger and crew, which is 4 percent of all passenger and crew visits at U.S. ports.

With over $1.2 billion in direct spending and almost 20,000 jobs paying nearly $1.1 billion in total income, Texas accounted for 6.3 percent of the industry’s overall spending nationwide. The state ranking rose from fourth to third. The Port of Galveston embarked approximately 604,000 passengers and was the second fastest growing cruise port in 2012.

Next year will prove to be even better for Galveston’s cruise business, with the addition of Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas year round operation offering Texas vacationers roundtrip seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries throughout the year and the continued year round operations of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph.

"The Port of Galveston is committed to remaining in the top 20 cruise home-ports worldwide. We are dedicated to strengthening our existing relationship with the cruise industry and increasing the economic impact to the local and regional communities.," said Mike Mierzwa, Port of Galveston Port Director.

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 1.2 million cruise passengers annually. Three cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International, sail from Texas’ premiere cruise port.

Helsinki Airport welcomes Japan Airlines

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 01 July 2013 01 July 2013

Japan Airlines launches today a daily service between Tokyo (Narita) and Helsinki. The launch further strengthens Helsinki Airport’s position as the leading transit airport in Northern Europe for travel between Europe and Asia.

Helsinki Airport warmly welcomes Japan Airlines to Helsinki, which provides the shortest and fastest connections between Europe and Japan. Measured by the number of flights Finavia operated Helsinki Airport is now the 4th most important European airport for traffic between Japan and Europe.

“Finavia is committed to developing improved services for airlines and passengers alike and we are very proud that Japan Airlines chose Helsinki Airport. We are eager to start cooperation and to help even larger passenger volumes smoothly to their destinations by using latest technology and innovative design, and by offering personalized service. As for Japan Airlines, customer satisfaction is a major target for us too”, says Mr. Kari Savolainen, Finavia CEO.

Special focus and effort is placed on serving Asian travellers: Helsinki Airport has for instance airport signage and information on the website in Japanese. Citizens of Japan who have a biometric passport may also use the convenient automatic boarder control at Helsinki Airport.

“Helsinki Airport offers a compact terminal and smooth connections with minimum transfer time as short as 35 to 40 minutes, making it an excellent transit point to and from numerous cities in Europe”, says Mr. Masaru Onishi, Chairman of Japan Airlines.

“Customers traveling in both directions can expect Japan Airlines to offer a unique and completely refreshing onboard experience. We are also taking initiative to encourage more travelers to come explore the many wonders of Japan and hopefully this new route from Helsinki achieves just that”, Mr. Onishi continues.

In 2012 Helsinki Airport served 14.9 million passengers, of which 31 per cent were transfer passengers. Due to transit travel, the flight connections to and from Finland to different locations in Europe and Asia are exceptionally comprehensive. More than 200 flights depart from Helsinki Airport every day, taking leisure and business travelers to destinations near and far.

In addition to Japan Airlines, Finnair operates daily flights to Tokyo, as well as Nagoya and Osaka.

Check the fast and short connections between Europe and Asia via Helsinki http://www.helsinki-vantaa.fi/timetables/travel-times

Finavia provides and develops airport and air navigation services with focus on safety, customer-orientation and cost efficiency. Finavia’s comprehensive network of 25 airports enables international connections from Finland — and to different parts of Finland. Helsinki Airport is the leading Northern European transit airport for long-haul traffic. Revenues in 2012 were EUR 359 million, and the number of employees 2800.

Belfast to invest £7 million in Ireland's first purpose built cruise facility

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 20 June 2013 20 June 2013

Belfast’s position as Ireland’s fastest growing cruise destination will receive a major boost from a £7m investment by Belfast Harbour to create the island’s first purpose-built cruise facility.

The investment will ensure that Belfast will be able to handle all cruise ships currently operating in the Irish Sea, as well as next generation ships which carry over 4,500 passengers and crew. It will also enable visitors to disembark directly within walking distance of the city’s Titanic visitor attractions - Titanic’s Dock & Pumphouse, Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic.

A record 60 ships are scheduled to call at Belfast this year representing a 45% jump in passengers and crew, up from 75,000 to 110,000 in just one year. Associated spend with cruise visits is expected to generate more than £18m for the local economy in 2013.

Roy Adair, Belfast Harbour’s CEO, said: "A decade ago hardly any cruise ships berthed in Belfast. Now, thanks to our Cruise Belfast partnership with Visit Belfast, considerable previous investment in our existing facilities for accommodating cruise ships and tourism attractions such as Titanic Belfast and the new Giant’s Causeway Centre, Northern Ireland has a thriving cruise sector."

"The 2013 cruise season will be the best on record with 60 ships scheduled to call at Belfast. We believe that there is further scope to grow Northern Ireland’s popularity and the new facilities will enable us to promote Belfast as a tourist destination to an even wider range of operators."

The Minister for Regional Development Danny Kennedy welcomed the investment announcement: "This significant investment is very good news. I look forward to the completion of a purpose built cruise facility in 2014 further enhancing the visitor experience to Northern Ireland. Belfast Harbour is to be congratulated on their continuing success in attracting cruise ships and tourists to the city.”

The Harbour’s investment means that from 2014 cruise ships will move from Stormont Wharf on the County Antrim side of the Port to a berth adjacent to Alexandra Dock in County Down. The new facility, which will also include a 2.5 acre marshalling area for coaches and a new welcome centre to showcase Northern Ireland, is beside Titanic’s Dock and the current berth of HMS Caroline.

Last year around one million people visited Titanic Belfast and Titanic’s Dock. SS Nomadic, Titanic’s tender ship, opened to the public earlier this month and plans are being progressed to turn HMS Caroline, the sole surviving vessel from the 1916 Battle of Jutland, into a floating museum.

Gerry Lennon, CEO of Visit Belfast, added: "The success of Belfast as a cruise destination is a measure of how far we have come as a city and of the vision and commitment of the Cruise Belfast partnership to tourism. Belfast’s rise in popularity as a cruise destination has been nothing short of breath taking. This year the number of calls has jumped by 33%, including 13 ships which will be making their first visit to the city. By the end of this year, Belfast will have welcomed almost 600,000 passengers and crew, over 380 cruise ships and over 50 different operators since the first ship called in the mid-1990s."

"Belfast’s achievement in this highly competitive cruise sector is the result of years of investment and hard work by our promotional team and the wider tourism industry who support these visits and ensure the welcome and experience received by passengers and crew exceeds all expectations."

"We want all those who visit to recommend our great city as a place to visit in the future. Our Belfast Welcome Centre travel advisers meet and greet all ships, and provide visitors with essential information to ensure they maximise their enjoyment and time in Belfast."

Regular visits from cruise lines already include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Saga Cruise and Crystal Cruises among others. This year they will be joined by new operators such as MSC and the cruise season has extended from September to October.

Last year, Cruise Critic UK, the leading source of cruise information on the web, named Belfast as ‘Best UK Port of Call’ in its Editors’ Picks Awards 2012. This year the city was also ranked on Trip Advisor as one of the UK’s top destinations after registering one of the greatest increases in positive feedback from travellers.

Port of Saint Malo new member of the Atlantic Alliance

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 24 June 2013 24 June 2013

The Atlantic Alliance has welcomed the Port of Saint Malo to the association. The Alliance now counts a total of six French Ports among its membership, all located within easy cruising distance of each other. “This cooperation demonstrates how joint destination marketing within a region can help bring additional benefit to the ports rather than seeing neighboring ports simply as competitors”, says Nadine Palatz, Manager Atlantic Alliance.

Saint Malo is a port city in Brittany in northwestern France on the English Channel and perfectly fits into the European West Coast cruise destination marketed by the Atlantic Alliance.

“St. Malo port intends to develop cruise business for many years. It is important to again be part of an European network working together to promote new itineraries. There are increasing opportunities for short cruises in the region with the possibility of embarkation from different countries with an enormous variety of landscape all within a short distance,” commented Elisabeth Gouzien, Cruise Touristic Manager of CCI- Saint Malo Fougeres.

St. Malo’s port is located right in the middle of the Vauban style walled city. It’s also the quickest way to reach one of the international marvels of the world listed by UNESCO: Mont St. Michel. Strategically placed for cruise itineraries, and one of France's most attractive coastal towns, St. Malo has something to offer all cruise ship passengers: scenery, a bustling atmosphere, great restaurants and cafes, the best Spa Resort and beaches in Brittany. St. Malo is also a real asset to themed cruises, with lots to offer from gardens, golf and gastronomy to Celtic culture, maritime history and ancient castles specific to the region, The Malouinières. Around 14,000 cruise guests and 33 ships are expected to visit St. Malo per year.

Ships from 150 meters to 250 meters in length can anchor just a few minutes away by tender from the new terminal opened in spring 2011. Vessels measuring less than 150 meters can dock at berth. Both the terminal and the tender landing are less than a three-minute walk to gates of the walled city. The city can accommodate up to four ships at once.

This popular tourist destination and busy ferry port offers visitors an authentic glimpse into Brittany’s important seafaring past. Saint Malo has several districts, the most popular being intra muros or ‘inside the walls’. The tall granite buildings, most of which were restored after being bombed during the war, house an interesting mix of cosy hotels, restaurants to suit all tastes and shops by the dozen.

Honduras President Lobo dedicates Banana Coast Port

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 15 June 2013 15 June 2013

President Porfirio Lobo Sosa presided at a dedication ceremony yesterday for Banana Coast, the first mainland cruise destination to be developed in Honduras. The dedication ceremony also recognized the founding of the city of Trujillo 488 years ago on May 18, 1525, during the Spanish colonial era.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of a plaque honoring the previous landowners who made the port project possible.

"To have the first Caribbean mainland cruise port open in the place of my birth is very gratifying to me personally," said Lobo. "I am honored to have played a role in the birth of an industry that will provide a future for the people of the region for years to come."

"It is appropriate that the dedication of the new cruise port also celebrates the founding of Trujillo," said Mayor Jose Antonio Lainez. "It symbolizes both the resilience of the citizens of Trujillo and the future potential of this historic city."

"Without the cooperation of the many land owners and their families, this project would not have been possible," said Randy Jorgensen, general manager of Grande Trujillo Authoridad. "This spirit has been taken up by the citizens of Trujillo, making Banana Coast a very welcoming destination for cruise ships."

Themed "Where the Rainforest Meets the Sea," the $30 million Banana Coast project is the newest cruise destination in the western Caribbean. Construction on the passenger-reception and shopping center was completed in February and a full slate of shore excursions for cruise passengers has been designed.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the port development was held in March 2011, with construction of the facility beginning in August 2011.

Banana Coast has signed Holland America Line as the first cruise line to schedule regular calls at the new port. Holland America Line's 1,260-passenger Ryndam is slated to call at Banana Coast 11 times beginning Nov. 19, 2014 -- Banana Coast's first scheduled visit by a cruise ship -- followed by the Dec. 17, 2014, call from Silversea Cruises' Silver Cloud and Oceania Cruises' Riviera, which is slated to call in 2015.