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New strategy enables 83% growth in Tarragona
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 27 November 2015 27 November 2015
Alan Lam reporting
Spain’s Tarragona Cruise Port Costa Daurada has just ended the current season with an 83% growth in passenger number over the previous year.
The port is reaping the benefit of the commercial strategy initiated three years ago and, according to the port management, “is consolidating its position as an exclusive international cruise ship destination in the Mediterranean.”
A total of eleven cruise ships have moored at the cruise terminal in the Port of Tarragona, located on the Llevant Wharf during 2015, bring with them 11,600 passengers. The forecast for 2016 is even higher.
This development is consistent with the trend in a number of smaller Spanish cruise ports. Thanks to tireless promotion efforts, cruise lines and their guests are becoming more aware of the potentials of these ports.
The port targets premium cruise lines, or medium-sized cruise ships of about 2,500 passengers, the segment it considers to be best suited the current positioning of Tarragona in the cruise industry.
At present the facilities of Marina Port Tarraco, situated on the port promenade of Tarragona, are used to accommodate cruise vessels of less than 140 metres long. Ships of greater draft berth at the cruise terminal on the Llevant wharf. Responding to the future needs of cruise lines, in relation to the predicted volume of passengers, the port is considering the option of taking advantage of the construction of a new, multi-functional esplanade on the Prats wharf, with a view of using it exclusively for cruise ships in the future.
There are a number of attractions in Tarragona that draw cruise tourism, including UNESCO World Heritage sites, which are too often overlooked; chiefly among them are the remains of the old Roman Tarraco, listed as Site of Exceptional Universal Value, and the Monastery of Poblet.
“Cruise passengers are able to visit the wide cultural offer in our area,” said Alba Colet, Cruise Manager, “Tarragona is a destination where all the virtues of the Mediterranean way of life converge; ancient and modern exist in total harmony.” Indeed besides its proximity to Barcelona, Tarragona has a wide range of attraction of its own,
In 2015, about 42% cruise passengers arriving in Tarragona were British, 18% French and 15% Italian. Interestingly, Australians and North American each represented 6% of the total passenger throughput. The total economic impact of cruises on the area in 2015 has been calculated at around €719,000.
AIDAstella docks at the new Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal for the first time
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 25 November 2015 25 November 2015
On Monday, November 23, 2015, the guests and crew of AIDAstella experienced a very special premiere in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. At around 8 p.m. local time, AIDAstella became the first cruise ship of the Costa Group to dock at the newly constructed Cruise Terminal in Mina Zayed.
“AIDA and Costa have developed the United Arab Emirates into one of the most popular cruise destinations for German and European holidaymakers. The new Cruise Terminal in Mina Zayed will further enhance the attraction of Abu Dhabi as important turnaround port in the region. With 60 visits in 2016, 40 of them by AIDA, the Costa Group is by far the most important cruise partner for Abu Dhabi," said AIDA President Felix Eichhorn.
Following the successful change of passengers at Abu Dhabi’s new cruise terminal, AIDAstella set course for its first 7-day voyage of the season to Dubai, Muscat and Bahrain. Another seven visits are still scheduled for this year. In 2016, AIDAstella will call at the new Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal a total of 23 times.
Abu Dhabi is also a fixed part of the program for AIDAaura on her 14-day voyages “Orient & India”. The first visit of this season will be on November 30, 2015.
In 2016, AIDAaura will call to the metropolis nine times on her voyages between the Orient and India.
Weather conditions divert two Costa ships from Venice to Trieste
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 18 November 2015 18 November 2015
Two ships of Costa Crociere, the Italian contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corp & plc group, have been forced to divert to Trieste due to weather conditions in Venice, the Port of Trieste told Cruise Business Online.
Costa Mediterranea had to abandon a call at Venice on 13 November and spend two days in Trieste instead of the scheduled one day call, while on 16 November, the turnaround of Costa Deliziosa took place in Trieste instead of Venice.
“Trieste is not only an alternative to Venice during foggy days, we shall have our ows season in 2016 with 12 different companies. Costa Mediterranea shall call Trieste every Saturday in turn around from March the 26th to November, Thomson shall have seven transit calls during the season and the maiden call of Carnival Vista shall take place in Trieste,” the port said.
Vessels of Saga Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Star Clipper and Cruise and Maritime Voyages are due to call at Trieste for the first time next year, the port concluded.
Liberty of the Seas replaces Navigator of the Seas at Galveston
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 16 November 2015 16 November 2015
Royal Caribbean International’s, 158,000 gross ton Liberty of the Seas arrived today at the Port of Galveston. “The Freedom class ship replaced Navigator of the Seas year-round sailings from Galveston offering Texas vacationers roundtrip seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries throughout the year,” the port said in a statement.
Navigator of the Seas is of about 137,000 gross tons.
“The repositioning of Liberty of the Seas to the Port of Galveston represents Royal Caribbean’s confidence in the Port of Galveston’s efficient cruise operations and ability to attract passengers on its Freedom class ships,” said Mike Mierzwa, Port Director . “We are excited to homeport the largest cruise ship to sail from the State of Texas”.
The Liberty of the Seas will offer 7-night Western Caribbean cruise itineraries, including Isla Roatan, Honduras; Belize City Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; Falmouth, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Costa Maya, Mexico as ports of call.
Cruiseport Boston's 2015 season cruises to an end
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 13 November 2015 13 November 2015
Cruiseport Boston wrapped up a successful 2015 cruise season Sunday with its final port of call this week, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), announced. There were 114 calls this season by 29 ships resulting in 328,305 passengers. The cruise port also welcomed a port call by Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas, which was the largest ship to ever call Boston, carrying 3,634 guests.
The 2015 season saw the introduction of another way for cruise passengers to sail to Bermuda with the addition of Holland America Line’s itinerary to Hamilton on the Veendam. The Veendam joined Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dawn, which already sails to King’s Wharf, Bermuda.
“More and more people are beginning to recognize that not only is Boston a great port of call destination, but that they can also take cruises out of Boston and enjoy a growing variety of destinations,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “Our thriving cruise business boosts our regional economy and provides good-paying blue collar jobs. Its success would not be achievable without the hard-working men and women at Cruiseport Boston.”
Cruise operations at Massport provide over 950 direct jobs; generate nearly $80 million in economic impact each year; and $25 million in annual local, state, and federal tax revenue.
Massport’s Acting Port Director Lisa Wieland says that every time a ship visits Boston as a port of call, the passengers and crew are supporting local businesses and jobs. “For many of our visiting passengers, this is their first time in Boston and they’ll come back again to stay a little longer so that they can explore the rich history of our region, our championship sports teams, award-winning restaurants, and beautiful sights,” said Wieland. “Boston is New England’s homeport and is a quick drive for thousands of cruise passengers who choose not to fly, or cannot afford the expense of flying a family to Florida. This makes Cruiseport Boston an ideal starting point for cruises to Bermuda, Canada/New England, and several transatlantic itineraries.”
Six new ships had their maiden calls to Cruiseport Boston this season: Oceania's Marina, Liberty of the Seas, AIDAdiva, Regal Princess, and Celebrity Eclipse. In July, Cruiseport Boston helped Cunard Line celebrate its 175th anniversary calling Boston during the Queen Mary 2’s first call of the season. Boston and Cunard Line have a special history going back to 1840, when the city was the first U.S. port called by Cunard Line when the Brittania left Liverpool on its historic inaugural transatlantic voyage.
“Over the last ten years or so, as ships began to call more often within the region, cruise lines began to recognize the significance of the Canada/New England itineraries and how they are great way to view the beautiful fall foliage,” said Wieland. “Canada/New England is now a successful market for six months of the year – May to October – and continues to grow, with several ports on the itinerary receiving guest satisfaction ratings among the highest in the world.”
In order to accommodate the growth in cruise passengers, Massport continues to upgrade the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, which is located in a former World War I military warehouse. In 2010, Cruiseport Boston launched a renovation and expansion of its main terminal to create a 21st century point of departure for ocean-going vacationers. The $11 million makeover tripled the usable space on the third floor to allow for faster processing of passengers embarking or returning from a cruise. It also added vibrant colors, environmentally-friendly lighting, new elevators and people movers, and signage to give visitors a sense of place and destinations served. In February of this year, renovations to the adjacent terminal were completed. The $3.2 million project included improved ventilation, heating, lighting, additional outlets for power and data to facilitate ticketing and baggage functions, new restrooms, and new storefront installations to provide more daylight into the existing space.
The 2016 season kicks off next April with Holland American Line’s Veendam sailing a Canada/New England itinerary. Approximately 330,000 passengers are expected next season with 119 ship calls on 32 ships through mid-November. Eight ships will make their maiden call to Boston in 2016: Disney Magic; two new ships from Royal Caribbean, Navigator of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas – with a guest capacity of 4,180; Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner; Azamara Quest; Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam; Oceana Cruises’ Sirena; and Viking Cruises’ Viking Star. Ponant Yacht Cruises will also have two itineraries departing from Boston: a 10-day roundtrip Boston/Lunenbourg, Canada/Bar Harbor/Salem/Newport/New York/Martha’s Vineyard on September 10 and an eight-day Boston to Colon on October 9th. Also next year, three vessels will be overnighting in Boston: Fred Olsen’s Balmoral on May 6, Azamara Quest on October 5, and Viking Star on October 11.
Cruiseport Boston is a favorite port-of-call with cruise passengers. The 2015 cruise season ran from April into November, with 114 vessel calls. Voyages sail north along the Canada/New England coastline – a fall favorite for New England’s spectacular foliage – or to the Caribbean or pink sand beaches of Bermuda.
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