Ports & destinations
Canada simplifies clearance procedures
- Details
- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 06 July 2012 06 July 2012
Under this pilot, cruise ships entering Canada will now be able to explore Canadian communities with greater flexibility, according to the CBSA. Once cleared at an FPOA site, the ship can visit any port of call within Canada with greater ease. Passengers can disembark and embark without further CBSA clearance, provided that the ship does not subsequently dock at a foreign port. This process will apply even if the ship enters international waters and then re-enters Canada. However, should a cruise ship dock at a foreign port, upon returning to Canada, re-clearing through CBSA will be required.
This change to operations will maximize efficiencies for the CBSA while stimulating local economies by promoting travel and tourism along Canada's coasts and inland waterways, the CBSA concludes, and will promote more flexible itineraries, it says, while enabling the agency to meet its fiscal responsibilities under the Government of Canada's Deficit Reduction Action Plan.
Intercruises strengthens management team in Australia
- Details
- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 03 July 2012 03 July 2012
James joins Intercruises after a ten year career working onboard various cruise vessels for a luxury cruise line, where he most recently held the position of Shore Excursions Manager. His time at sea helped James develop extensive operational knowledge and an in depth understanding of how to deliver a high quality service to cruise guests. James also has excellent experience of operations in the Australian region and will oversee the ongoing development of Intercruises' shore excursion programme in 29 Australian ports, leading the Intercruises shore excursion team.
Andreas joined the Intercruises Australia team in April as Port Agency Manager and is currently enhancing Intercruises' port agency program in Australia. Andreas has over fifteen years of experience in ship logistics and port agency services, previously holding the position of Cruise Operations Controller for a ship agency in Brisbane, where he developed a robust operational framework for Turnaround and cruise operations. Andreas has a great understanding of cruise line operations, having previously worked as Logistics Manager at Cunard Line & Seabourn Cruise Line and then with Princess Cruises.
"We continue to strengthen our team through the appointment of individuals with industry experience and good knowledge of the Australian market. James and Andreas are passionate about their work, the cruise industry and Intercruises' commitment to delivering a professional and first class service to our clients and their guests in Australia." Said Martin Bidgood, Regional Director Australia, Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services.
Based in Sydney, Intercruises Australia offers full turnaround, hotel reservation, shore excursion and port agency services, operating in 29 Australian Ports, from Hobart to Thursday Island, and Brisbane to Gerladton. For more information regarding Intercruises visit www.intercruises.com<http://www.intercruises.com>
Port Canaveral begins construction on new Welcome Center
- Details
- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 22 June 2012 22 June 2012
Construction began this week at Port Canaveral on a new $21 million Welcome Center, a seven-story building that will feature an observation deck, exhibits, event space, auditorium, gift shop and café. The project is the first phase of a revitalization of the Canaveral Cove. The iconic structure is expected to be a magnet for visitors to Brevard County, Florida and convey the rich maritime history of Port Canaveral, as well reflect the stories of the region, including military battles, space exploration, and beach culture. The 22,000 square foot facility is designed by GWWO Architects of Baltimore. Skanska of Orlando is general contractor, working with Iveys Construction of Rockledge. The project is expected to be completed by July 2013.
JetBlue names San Juan, Puerto Rico as its newest "Focus City"
- Details
- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 29 June 2012 29 June 2012
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony held June 28 in celebration of JetBlue Airways' new home at Terminal A in San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU), the airline's President and CEO Dave Barger, together with Puerto Rico's Governor Luis Fortuno, announced that San Juan has become the sixth focus city in JetBlue's 71-city network.
"How fitting that we celebrate our first decade of growth in Terminal A, our brand new home. Here, we can live and breathe our brand and fully integrate with the culture and people of this beautiful island. More importantly, we can better serve our customers and accommodate future growth," said Dave Barger, JetBlue's President and CEO today during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "Our commitment will only keep growing in terms of our operation; today I'm pleased to officially announce that San Juan is now a JetBlue focus city!"
The Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis G. Fortuno, said to be "honored to have JetBlue as one of our main business partners in the aviation business and in our common goal to boost the Island's tourism industry. JetBlue has shown consistent growth, securing the most number of seats throughout the Island. Last year alone, JetBlue moved a total of 2,128,265 passengers and, at its peak, has 45 flights from Puerto Rico's three principal airports, 38 of which are served from San Juan. This places us as the major link in the region, both for tourists, business and entrepreneurs."
"The Government of Puerto Rico is proud to have partners such as JetBlue, which bet on our market, contributing to our economic development. JetBlue recognizes the Island as market potential, identifying us a 'focus city', a title which only five of the 71 cities where the airline operates has earned, putting us on the same level as JFK airport. We're very happy to say that this Administration has managed to develop a close relationship with the airline, and today we celebrate the successful inauguration of their new home in Terminal A where we hope to continue growing together for years to come," expressed the Governor.
"The waiting is over; we are proud, happy and pleased that JetBlue is already enjoying these new and modern facilities which are definitely ahead of the aviation industry, just like you do," said Bernardo Vazquez, Puerto Rico Ports Authority Executive Director. "The Puerto Rico Ports Authority is honored to join the tenth anniversary celebration of this dynamic and prestigious airline, providing a new, larger, safer and modern home, but above all, with excellent and personalized service."
San Juan joins Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, New York and Orlando as the sixth focus city in JetBlue's network. The designation of San Juan as a focus city in JetBlue's growing route network underscores the airline's ever-increasing commitment to the Puerto Rican community and its expansion into the new Terminal A at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, which will be able to accommodate further growth.
In Puerto Rico, JetBlue currently serves Aguadilla, Ponce and San Juan, with service to 13 nonstop destinations, nine within the continental US: Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Hartford, Jacksonville, New York, Newark, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach and; four within the Caribbean: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and St. Croix. The airline has announced it will begin the only direct non-stop to Washington Reagan National Airport, its 14th city out of San Juan, on August 23, 2012.
Hamburg and Oslo ports agree to cooperate in cruise sector
- Details
- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 11 June 2012 11 June 2012
On a delegation visit from the Maritime Department in the Port of Oslo to Hamburg on the 7 – 8 June, the cruise port representatives of both cities agreed upon a leisure partnership. “The idea came due to more and more German passengers cruising from Hamburg to Norway and back”, stated Gerd Drossel, managing director Hamburg Cruise Center.
The German passenger volume in Norwegian ports increased from 2009 to 2010 by 22 % from 116,000 to 142,000. In 2011 the Norwegian ports counted a total cruise passenger volume of about 457,000, of which 32% were Germans (2011: 151,000), followed by 23% English cruise passengers. While until 2008 the English source market had the biggest market share, today the German market is the most important market represented in Norwegian ports, having a huge future potential. The Norwegian fjords are so far the second most visited cruise area for German passengers after the west Mediterranean.
Cruise ships out of Hamburg with destination Norway call ports such as Bergen and Stavanger, but mainly going directly to Oslo. The capital of Norway is a very popular port of call for German passengers. Shore excursions are going to Holmenkollen Ski Jump, to the Vigeland Sculpture Park, to the Maritime Museum etc. The Munch Museum and the new Opera House “floating” in the water are among the must-see-attractions. With the blue and the greenand the city in between the German cruise passengers enjoy positive experiences in Oslo. Approximately 100 000 German cruise passengers visited Oslo in 2011and this is by far the highest number from one nationality, said Margrethe Austad, marketing manager Cruise, Port of Oslo.
Both cruise ports Oslo and Hamburg play a significant role within the cruise business. Hamburg is for instance the second biggest cruise port in Germany passenger wise and the entire Hamburg economy ultimately benefits from the cruise industry. This is the fact for Oslo as well. With about 320 000 cruise passengers spending in average €100 each, the economic benefit of cruise ships to Oslo is significant. In cooperation both delegations further agreed onsharing knowledge, when it comes for example to future cruise port infrastructure developments or topics such as destination marketing expertise.
“During our two days visit in Hamburg, we got the chance to learn more about the work and structure of the Hamburg Cruise Center association and simply can name it as a Best Practice example marketing wise”, stated Austad. There is definitely something for Oslo to learn from the network in Hamburg.
“We visited the new cruise terminal in Altona and I must say, this is exactly as we wish to build in Oslo. We are in the planning process now. It is very interesting to see what Hamburg has done to attract more cruise vessels and give them thebest conditions, said Paal Waage, Harbour Master in the Port of Oslo.
The cruise port Hamburg, ideally situated on the North Sea, is the perfect hub tocruise to Norway but also to the West Coast of Europe, which represents also a unique cruise destination with ports like Amsterdam, Antwerp, Dover, Le Havre,Santander, Vigo and Lisbon. Those cruise ports cooperate together with Hamburgin a powerful international marketing organization, called the Atlantic Alliance, Hamburg Cruise Center said.
More Articles ...
