Ports & destinations

Port of Baltimore sets cruise passenger record for third straight year

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 03 November 2011 03 November 2011

Governor Martin O’Malley has announced that for the third consecutive year, the Port of Baltimore has surpassed its record for most cruise passengers in one year. Sunday’s sailing of the Carnival Pride on a 7-night cruise to the Bahamas included 2,295 passengers. That cruise pushed the number of passengers that have left on a cruise from Baltimore in 2011 to 212,821 on 89 cruises, which exceeds the previous record of 210,549 passengers on 90 cruises set in 2010.

"In these tough economic times, there is no more important goal we share than creating jobs and advancing innovation in Maryland," said Governor O’Malley. "Since beginning year-round cruises three years ago, and since we’ve introduced our new state-of-the-art boarding bridge, the Port has seen a remarkable increase in cruise business, which is good news for jobs and provides a boost to our State’s tourism industry. These actions together with the construction of our new berth help to secure the long-term economic future of the Port.” This year the Port of Baltimore has a record of 105 cruises offered by Carnival, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean. Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer year-round schedules. Cruises sail to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, and New England/Canada. Recently Carnival signed a new five-year extension to continue offering year-round cruises from Baltimore. The first two years are financially guaranteed and there are three one-year options.

Last month it was announced that the Port of Baltimore handled the fifth-largest amount of cruise passengers among East Coast cruise ports in 2010. Baltimore’s fifth-place position is one better than it ranked in 2009. Nationally, the port ranked 12th (up from 14th).

Earlier this year, the Port of Baltimore began using a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled enclosed passenger boarding bridge. The bridge is mobile and flexible to accommodate various sized cruise ships.

In the last three years, Baltimore has seen a marked increase in its number of cruise passengers. In 2009, its first year of year-round cruising, more than 167,000 passengers sailed on 81 cruises. In 2008, about 61,000 people sailed on 27 cruises that operated in the spring, summer and fall. The total economic value to the State of Maryland of cruising from the Port of Baltimore is about $90 million. Approximately 200 direct jobs in Maryland are generated by cruise activity.

Baltimore is within a six hour drive of 40 million people. It is the closest East Coast drive-to port from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Chicago and is within a three-hour drive from the New York City metro area. The Cruise Maryland terminal is 2.5 miles from Baltimore’s world famous Inner Harbor and 10 miles from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. 
Maryland’s median household income of $70,545 is the highest in the U.S. Baltimore is also located within a four-hour drive of eight of the ten wealthiest counties in the U.S. The Baltimore-Washington DC-Northern Virginia region is recognized as one of the most affluent in the nation.

Cruiseport Boston enjoys a busy day

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 07 October 2011 07 October 2011

October 2 marked the busiest cruise ship day for Cruiseport Boston since 2005. Four cruise ships were in port for a day-long visit for the first time in six years, said the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). The four ships – Carnival Glory, Crown Princess, Crystal Symphony and Seabourn Sojourn – bring more than 7,000 passengers to Boston.

The last time four ships were in port simultaneously was on October 6, 2005 which was also the same day Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 came to Boston for the first time. The other ships that day were Crystal Symphony, Enchantment of the Seas, and Golden Princess.

"September and October are our busiest cruise months," said Mike Leone, Port Director for the Massachusetts Port Authority. "Boston is increasingly becoming a desired port of call on many cruise lines’ itineraries which provides good opportunity for local businesses."

The 450-passenger Seabourn Sojourn was anchored in Boston’s inner harbor while the other three ships were docked along Cruiseport Boston’s 3,000 foot pier. Those aboard Seabourn Sojourn were “tendered,” or brought to shore by small boats, getting off at Commonwealth Pier located at the World Trade Center in the Seaport District.

"Cruiseport Boston continues to be one of the fastest growing visitor economic engines for our region," said Pat Moscaritolo, President & CEO, of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. "As a result of investing in our cruise facilities and marketing, several thousand visitors from four cruise ships arrived October 2 to spend their vacation dollars at shops, attractions and restaurants in Boston and Cambridge. In addition to generating tax revenues for Boston and Massachusetts, the short visit will generate a desire to return for a longer stay."

Recently, Massport in partnership with the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) created a new Cruiseport Boston map designed specifically for the cruise passenger. The map shows walking routes to Boston’s popular destinations and the ease of access to downtown shops, restaurants, and other attractions from the cruise terminal.

Cruiseport Boston serves as an economic engine for the region. According to a 2011 report by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise industry spending generated about 7,521 jobs and $429 million in income for Massachusetts’ workers through direct, indirect and induced impact. It is estimated that passengers and crew spend $26 million in Boston last year Massachusetts accounted for more than $492 million in cruise industry direct spending in 2010, a seven percent increase over 2009.

For a fourth consecutive year, Cruiseport Boston set a new passenger record in 2010 with more than 300,000 travelers coming through the port. So far this year, 2011 is on pace to eclipse that record, which was a seven percent increase over 2009. Last October officials unveiled the $11 million makeover of the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, transforming it from a vintage World War I military warehouse, into a hip new point of departure for ocean-going vacationers. The critical renovations were needed to keep pace with Boston’s growing cruise industry and to ensure the continued economic benefits that cruising brings to the region.

Cruiseport Boston’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal is located just 10 minutes from the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and Routes 1 and 93. It is also conveniently located just 10 minutes from Boston Logan International Airport and downtown Boston. Cruiseport Boston offers an attractive mix of cruises to Bermuda, Canada & New England, Europe and the Caribbean. Each year more than a 300,000 passengers use Cruiseport Boston. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/cruiseportboston or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/cruiseboston. 

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities. For more information please visit www.massport.com

Panama Canal cruise season official started October 5

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 07 October 2011 07 October 2011

The Panama Canal cruise season officially started onWednesday, October 5, and runs through the middle of next year. More than 200 transits of these passenger vessels are expected. The transit of Princess Cruises' Island Princess marked the beginning of the season, traveling for 14 days from Los Angeles, California, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

According to Jaime Castillo, international trade specialist from the Panama Canal Research and Market Analysis office, at least 205 transits are expected this season.

Among the major companies that are considering Panama and the Canal experience as a destination are Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line.

The arrival of smaller cruise ships, such as the Wind Star and Le Levant, also are expected to transit the Canal. These cruises typically travel between the Caribbean Islands and the East and West Coasts of Central America.

Two Carnival cruise ships, the Carnival Inspiration, located in Tampa, Florida, and the Carnival Paradise, ,which operates from Long Beach, California, are scheduled to reposition to their new homeport soon, offering very attractive 14-day trips that include the experience of transiting the Panama Canal.

The Carnival Paradise cruise will sail from Long Beach to Tampa beginning on November 28, 2011, while the Carnival Inspiration will depart on December 3, 2011, operating from Tampa to Long Beach.

With regard to inaugural transits, Norwegian Jewel, with its 2,376-passenger capacity, will sail from New York to Los Angeles in late April 2012. This cruise has a reservation to transit the Panama Canal on May 5, 2012.

2011 Port of Cork cruise season draws a close

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 29 September 2011 29 September 2011

The Port of Cork welcomed its final cruise liner of the 2011 season to Cobh today following another successful year. In total 52 liners called to the Port of Cork, Ireland’s only dedicated cruise berth, carrying 100,902 passengers and crew, an increase on the 2010 figures.

With these high numbers of calls and increasing passenger numbers, the overall economic contribution of the cruise business in Ireland is estimated to be worth €60 million to the island of Ireland. Cork alone contributes an estimated €20m to the local economy both directly and indirectly. In a recent survey carried out by Red C Research on behalf of Cruise Ireland, the look of a port is seen to be a key feature, with those arriving into Cork port citing this as very important in encouraging passengers to disembark and take an excursion. Over 90% of passengers visiting Cork were satisfied with their experience which exceeded their expectations.

Captain Michael McCarthy, Commercial Manager Port of Cork commented on the cruise business saying: ‘with so many passengers arriving into Cobh and Cork, the impact this has on the local economy is very positive with the average spend per in-transit passenger approximately €73 per day.’

Continuing Captain McCarthy talked about Cork’s potential saying that: ‘In 2012 the numbers of calls are already looking very positive with 58 liners expected. As it is the 100th anniversary of the Titanic, Cobh will play an important part in commemorations and already there are three liners booked to call, which are basing their cruise theme around the Titanic.’

Feedback from cruise companies visiting Cork is very positive. Direct access to the quayside for passengers coupled with the accessibility of trains to Cork and the historic town of Cobh and its attractions on their doorstep, makes Cobh an attractive port of call. In 2010 the Port of Cork were awarded 1st place for ‘Best Destination Experience (Organised)’ in the world and 2nd place for ‘Best Port Welcome’ at the Dream World Cruise awards These awards along with Cork being voted within the Lonely Planet’s top ten cities to visit must be capitalised.

The Port of Cork has ambitious plans to grow the business to 75 calls over the next five years and already 2012 are experiencing that growth, with 58 liners expected to call. Some of these calls will stay overnight and atleast six liners will make their maiden call to Cork in 2012. This growth is attributed to the Port of Cork’s investment of over €8 million to date on berthing facilities, which are the only facilities in Ireland capable of handling the largest liners afloat today.