Ports & destinations

Norwegian Breakaway makes maiden call to Bermuda

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 16 May 2013 16 May 2013

Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship that is making headlines as a "game changer" for the cruise industry, yesterday made her inaugural stop in Bermuda, on her first seven-day voyage which departed New York on Sunday. Carrying 4,000 guests, Norwegian Breakaway, the largest ship to ever port in Bermuda, docked at Heritage Wharf at approximately 8 am local time. Bermuda's Premier Craig Cannonier and local officials greeted the ship and Captain Evans Hoyt amidst much fanfare.

"On behalf of the people of Bermuda, we are so pleased to welcome Norwegian Breakaway to Bermuda," said Cannonier at a press conference held on the dock. "We thank Norwegian Cruise Line for bringing their magnificent new vessel to our beautiful island. The ship's guests and crew are of the utmost importance to us and we will show them all that Bermuda has to offer."

The 146,600 gross ton ship was christened on Wednesday, May 8 during an exclusive ceremony featuring Premier Cannonier, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City icons The Rockettes(r), Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, and Master Baker Buddy Valastro, star of TLC's "Cake Boss," among others. Her signature hull art featuring a large sun, planets and the New York skyline was designed by legendary artist Peter Max.

"Bermuda is a world-class summer destination for our world-class ship," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "We thank Premier

Cannonier, the government of Bermuda and all of her residents for welcoming our new ship with such gracious hospitality. We know our guests are going to have an amazing time on this beautiful island."

This voyage is the first in a series of 22 cruises to Bermuda through October 6. Weeklong cruises on this incredible new ship start at $1049 per person, double occupancy. Norwegian Breakaway spends three days in Bermuda and offers more than 30 unique shore excursions. Guests can go reef fishing at night, bike the original Bermuda railway trail and explore the spectacular scenery by paddleboard. Norwegian Breakaway guests will also have the opportunity to experience several excursions exclusive to the ship, including the opportunity to explore Bermuda's natural beauty and hidden treasures in a more personalized setting and at their own pace with a private boat tour.

Beginning October 13, Norwegian Breakaway will offer seven-day voyages from the heart of Manhattan to the Bahamas and Florida, as well as two 12-day sailings to the Southern Caribbean.

Study demonstrates that BC cruise ports continue to be an economic hub in Canada

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

The arrival of the Norwegian Jewel in Vancouver today marks the last stop on a Pacific Coastal itinerary that visited three of five active BC ports: Nanaimo, Victoria and Vancouver. The Norwegian Jewel is one of 18 vessels from nine cruise lines that will call at two or more BC ports in 2013.

The BC port communities of Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Prince Rupert, Victoria and Vancouver will enjoy a total increase of 75% over 2012 in the number of cruise itineraries with two or more calls to BC ports, with cruise lines offering 35 different itineraries in total.

"BC cruise ports provide cruise passengers with a unique and appealing product including itineraries through Canada’s stunning Inside Passage. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity only offered by BC," said Carmen Ortega, Chair of Cruise BC. "The growth we are seeing for 2013 translates into an economic boost for the region, bringing additional economic activity to local restaurants, hotels, shops and tours."

In addition to the significant increase in BC itineraries, BC also benefits from the economic contribution of the cruise sector on the British Columbian and Canadian economies. An economic impact study released jointly in March by the Cruise Lines International Association – North West and Canada, Cruise BC and other cruise associations across Canada, shows that BC ports continue to be the largest cruise region in Canada, accounting for 57% of the Canadian cruise traffic and welcoming nearly 1.2 million passengers in 2012. Vancouver and Victoria are the first and second largest cruise ports in Canada respectively.

The study also found that BC accounted for approximately two thirds of the national economic impacts of the Canadian cruise industry in 2012, with $1.56 billion in total industry outputs and 12,252 jobs paying $532 million in wage income. Direct spending by cruise lines, passengers and crew amounted to $790 million in BC in 2012. British Columbia enjoyed the highest average expenditures across Canada for both passengers and crew, spelling good news for businesses across BC.

"British Columbia’s ports and destinations play a vital role in this spectacular cruising region," said Greg Wirtz, Cruise Lines International Association’s president for North West and Canada. "With an incredible abundance of new and authentic destination experiences, British Columbia represents a natural growth opportunity for the cruise industry."

Cruise BC Association is the cruise industry leader in BC, acting on behalf of its members to market BC ports to cruise lines, travel trade and consumers in order to continue to realize the potential of the cruise industry in BC and continue the sector’s significant contribution to the BC economy.

Cruise tourism's contribution to Dubai's tourism growth due to grow in 2014

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 13 May 2013 13 May 2013

As the 2012-2013 cruise season comes to a close with the Sea Princess from Princess Cruises due on 10th June 2013, plans are already in place to increase the sector’s contribution to the growth of tourism in Dubai, in-line with the vision to attract 20 million visitors per year to the Emirate by 2020.

The 2013-2014 season will see Dubai welcome MSC Cruises as its newest home porting partner with the arrival of MSC Lirica in November. During the season, the cruise liner will make 20 turnaround calls to Dubai bringing in over 60,000 passengers. MSC Cruises will join Costa Cruises and AIDA in employing Dubai as their home port in the region. Further, more than 20 world-class cruise lines currently include Dubai on their itineraries.

Today the Emirate’s cruise sector plays host to over 94 nationalities from around the world with key markets being Germany (38.18%), UK (13.75%), and Italy (11.71%). During the 2012-2013 season, Dubai hosted 407,825 passengers, an increase from 396,554 in the previous season. Numbers are set to rise during the 2013-14 season as 110 ships carrying approximately 420,000 passengers are expected this year.

Looking further ahead, the 2014-2015 season promises to bring even more growth with TUI Cruises resuming its operations in the region: Mein Schiff 2 will operate seven-night long Gulf cruises from Dubai, with destinations expected to include Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Bahrain. The liner will have a throughput of over 75,000 cruise tourist from its 20 turnaround calls to Dubai. Additionally, Dubai will host a “Double Call” when both the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth will port in Dubai on the same day – the first time ever that the two Cunard cruise liners have arrived in Dubai simultaneously for a full passenger turnaround.

Speaking about the growth in the sector, Hamad Bin Mejren, Executive Director for Business Tourism in DTCM said, "Cruise tourism offers a fantastic way to travel that is very cost effective without compromising luxury, comfort, or variety in experience. It’s a sector which is stimulating increased travel among tourists both from in the region and beyond. Our objectives are to grow cruise tourism both in terms of international visitors using Dubai as an embarkation point and residents of the UAE taking cruises around the region."

With annual income of the Cruise Tourism sector expected to grow to approximately 840 million dirhams per year by 2015, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) believes that cruise tourism is a key growth sector that will bring great economic benefits to the region, increasing overall expenditure in the tourism sector and boosting the economy. Expanding the growth of cruise tourism is one of the key drivers in attracting 20 million visitors per year to Dubai by 2020.

Commenting on DTCM’s role, Bin Mejren said: "The cruise tourism sector in the region is strong and its continued growth remains extremely promising, bringing with it huge economic and development opportunities. Considering this, the DTCM has played, and continues to play a significant role in attracting interest from international cruise line operators to organise regular itineraries from Dubai to the region's ports. Of course, these efforts are supported by Dubai's already alluring tourism attractions, its excellent air connectivity, its beautiful beaches, hotels and international shopping malls, and its straightforward visa procedures."

Dubai Cruise Tourism is availing itself of the exposure that comes at the region’s pre-eminent travel expo, which is celebrating its 20th edition and is welcoming over 2,500 exhibitors from 87 countries. Dubai Cruise Tourism is co-exhibiting with five large stakeholders in the region’s cruise tourism sector, the cruise line operators Costa Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, and inbound tourism destination management specialists DNATA Gulf Ventures, Orient Tours, and Sharaf Tours.

The timing of ATM 2013 is opportune for Dubai Cruise Tourism, which forms an integral part of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing charged with the promotion of the Emirate as a cruise tourism destination, both regionally and globally, as well as the management and operation of Dubai Cruise Terminals.

Ports America awarded operating contract for Port of Los Angeles Cruise Terminal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 13 May 2013 13 May 2013

The Port of Los Angeles has awarded Ports America the contract to provide operation, management and maintenance of the Port of Los Angeles Cruise Terminal at Berth 90-43 in San Pedro, Calif., known as the World Cruise Center.

The five-year agreement, commencing April 2013, includes two 5-year options. Among the services that Ports America will provide are cruise terminal management, maintenance and repairs, security, special event management and the collection of dockage, wharfage and terminal fees.

Ports America Terminal Manager LA Cruise Operations Octavio Sanchez commented on the new business. "We are proud to have been chosen by the Port of Los Angeles as their new operator of the Los Angeles Cruise Terminal," Sanchez said. "Our level of expertise, experience and acumen in cruise operations gives us the ability to provide optimal service to all cruise lines. We look forward to a positive and successful relationship with the Port of Los Angeles and all its cruise partners."

"The Port of Los Angeles is pleased to partner with Ports America at the World Cruise Center," said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. "We are confident that Ports America will continue the tradition of providing first-class service to our cruise lines and their passengers."

Ports America, headquartered in New Jersey, is the largest independent marine terminal operator and stevedore company in the United States. The company currently operates in more than 42 ports and 80 locations. Ports America handles all types of cargo, including container, bulk, breakbulk, automotive, project, military and cruise.

The Port of Los Angeles is located in San Pedro Bay, 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. It encompasses 7,500 acres, 43 miles of waterfront and features 25 cargo terminals, which includes passenger, container, breakbulk, dry and liquid bulk, automobile and warehouse facilities. The port is home to the nation's most secure cruise passenger complex, the World Cruise Center. The port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in wages and tax revenues each year, and its plan to invest $1 billion dollars in capital improvements in the next five years is expected to spur additional growth.

Holland America to introduce calls at Banana Coast in Honduras

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 13 May 2013 13 May 2013

Holland America Line will become the first cruise line to schedule regular calls at the first mainland Honduras cruise port at Trujillo, the port said in a statement.

Holland America Line's 1,260-passenger Ryndam is slated to call at Banana Coast 11 times between 2014 and 2015 on its western Caribbean itineraries. The ship's Nov. 19, 2014, call is Banana Coast's first scheduled visit by a cruise ship, followed by the Dec. 17, 2014, call from Silversea Cruises' Silver Cloud.

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 has been designed. Future plans call for construction of a two-berth, post-Panamax pier.

"Having a premium cruise line like Holland America Line recognize the exciting opportunities of regularly calling at Banana Coast is a testament to the work we've put into making the port the hottest new destination in the Caribbean," said Randy Jorgensen, general manager of Grande Trujillo Authoridad, which owns the port. "Banana Coast has so much to offer and we look forward to welcoming Holland America Line guests to our beautiful shores."

In March 2012 Banana Coast developers unveiled a diverse shore excursion program designed to offer something for everyone, including cultural, historical, soft-adventure and eco-tour offerings.