Departments

Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore to receive S$7 million enhancements

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 04 December 2014 04 December 2014

SATS-Creuers, the company that operates the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS), said it recently rolled out a comprehensive range of enhancements to the facility, aimed at taking passengers from ship-to-kerb in just 15 minutes. The enhancements were implemented over the last six months at a cost of some S$7 million.

"The improvements come as Singapore’s cruise industry continues to see strong growth potential, with year-on-year growth in 2013 reaching 13% (Singapore Tourism Board statistics). Apart from ensuring MBCCS is well-placed to meet the growing needs of the cruise industry, the enhancements will also process passengers more efficiently and comfortably," the company said in a statement.

Comprising a mix of infrastructural as well as process improvements, the enhancements include:

• The installation of a 4th passenger boarding bridge to better facilitate embarkation and disembarkation;
• The addition of 2 new X-ray machines in the arrival hall to increase customs screening throughput;
• Doubling the luggage trollies available for passenger use to 800;
• The removal of the feature wall at the level 1 Arrival Hall Lobby to expand the passenger holding area and improve passenger flow;
• Modifications to taxi stand to improve turnaround time in passenger traffic during peak periods: expanding queuing space for passengers; redesigning taxi ranks to accommodate more taxi lots; and installing fans for the comfort of waiting passengers;
• The addition of new check-in counters on the Departure Mezzanine Level to facilitate embarkation;
• Enhancing the luggage conveyor system to increase handling capacity from 400 to 1,200 bags per hour;
• Working with cruise lines to coordinate and better regulate passenger disembarkation by setting the threshold capacity for the Arrival Hall at 600 passengers;
• Working with taxi drivers to ensure better taxi availability: organising roadshows to familiarise taxi drivers with MBCCS’ layout; launching a mobile application which has seen over 2,000 drivers signing up to date for notifications of incoming cruise ships; and separately setting up a taxi driver database to push notifications to taxi drivers during peak periods.

Bob Chi, chief executive officer of SATS-Creuers said in the statement: “We worked closely with all our stakeholders – including government agencies, cruise lines, their handlers – to implement this suite of improvements. We are confident they will provide passengers a seamless experience, while also positioning ourselves for future growth.”

Port of New Orleans, Norwegian Cruise Line sign multi-year berthing agreement

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 02 December 2014 02 December 2014

Officials with Norwegian Cruise Line and the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans signed a new four-year berthing agreement today with three one-year options. The agreement will keep at least one Norwegian cruise ship sailing seasonally from New Orleans through 2018 with the ability to extend the agreement through 2021.

“Our partners at Norwegian Cruise Line are a pleasure to work with and we are elated to sign a long-term agreement to retain the Norwegian brand in the Crescent City,” said Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange. “Norwegian has sailed from New Orleans since 2003 and we look forward to working closely with their team to ensure their success for many years to come.”

“We are pleased to continue our great relationship with the Port of New Orleans and look forward to cruising to the Caribbean from the exciting city of New Orleans for the next several years,” said Drew Madsen, Norwegian Cruise Line’s president and chief operating officer. “Our guests love sailing from the Crescent City and we’re thrilled to have the beautiful Norwegian Dawn beginning her inaugural season here.”

The agreement follows the Norwegian Dawn’s maiden voyage to New Orleans on Nov. 21. The 2,340-passenger ship sails seven-day itineraries to Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Roatan Bay Islands, Honduras; and Costa Maya, Mexico. The Norwegian Dawn was built with freedom in mind, offering a choice of 14 dining options, 12 fun bars and lounges, a fitness center and spa, casino, pools and more, offering a range of suites to accommodate every size family and budget. The ship began sailing seven-day western Caribbean itineraries Nov. 23 from the Julia Street Cruise Terminal.

“We are thrilled with the news of the extension of Norwegian Cruise Line’s important role in New Orleans,” said Mark Romig, President and CEO of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. “With the vast majority of cruise visitors spending an average of two additional nights in New Orleans and spending additional dollars with our restaurants, hotels, attractions and retailers, the importance of this partnership cannot be overstated. Norwegian Cruise Line is a gold standard for our industry. We are also deeply appreciative of the efforts by the Port of New Orleans to grow this important segment of our economy.”

Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau added: “We are so happy to have a continued relationship with Norwegian Cruise Line for years to come. New Orleans is both a premier port and leisure destination,” Perry said. “Sailing out of New Orleans offers the cruise visitor an opportunity to experience the romance and culture of New Orleans paired with an exciting cruise itinerary, two vacations in one.”

Port cruise terminals handled 987,860 embarkations and disembarkations in 2013, which resulted in $399 million in cruise industry spending in Louisiana, supporting 7,548 jobs and $294 million in personal income, according to an economic impact study by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). More than 80 percent of those cruise passengers are from outside of Louisiana and spend an average of two nights in New Orleans hotels either before or after their cruise. Passengers and shipboard crew spend about $78 million per year in New Orleans with lodging ($27.5 million) and food and beverage ($8.3 million) encompassing about half of the overall spending. CLIA ranks New Orleans as the sixth largest cruise port in the United States.

Seven Chinese cities to form cruise alliance

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 27 November 2014 27 November 2014

Seven Chinese cities operating eight state-of-the-art cruise terminals have proposed to set up a port alliance akin to the ones found in Europe. Alan Lam reports.

Following the examples of such organisations as MedCruise and Cruise Baltic, Shanghai, Tianjin, Xiamen, Sanya, Zhoushan, Qingdao and Hong Kong have agreed to cooperate and jointly promote cruise business development in China’s coastal regions. The cities are in talks with major international cruise lines such as Costa Crociere, Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Star Cruises, Bohai Ferry and HNA Cruises.

This is the latest in a series of alliance development in the region. Only recently CLIA established two branches in Asia, and the Asia Cruise Fund welcomed Hainan and the Philippines as its newest members. These are sure signs of the region’s cruise business maturing. Asia Cruise Fund is actively seeking new partners.

The new cruise port alliance has been proposed at the time when the newest Chinese cruise terminal, Shanghai’s Baoshan International Cruise Homeport, is reportedly to have become the first terminal in the country expected to show a small profit in 2014.

MedCruise promoted region for Asians at Hong Kong event

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 24 November 2014 24 November 2014

Senior representatives of Med Cruise promoted cruise activities in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas during the Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific, that was held in Hong Kong.

MedCruise President Carla Salvadό was the guest speaker during the Travel Agents Training, a comprehensive education programme that helps agents in Asia better understand the cruise industry, the organisation said in a statement.

Salvadό invited travel agents to cruise at the magic world of the Mediterranean Sea and its adjoining seas that offers- among others- a great opportunity to discover the history, the architecture, the culture, the gastronomy, the sightseeings of 19 countries around Mediterranean.

Τhe MedCruise delegation updated cruise lines, travel agents, and other stakeholders on the facilities offered by our cruise port members and the prospects of cruising in one of the most interesting regions of the world.

MedCruise was the sponsor of the Travel Agent Training programme, with all delegates receiving the 2013-14 MedCruise Yearbook and the Cruise Activities in MedCruise Ports 2014 on e-format. The programme was attended by travel agents from different regions of Far East, who had the opportunity to discuss with the MedCruise team on the richness of the destinations of the Med, the facilities available for cruise, and the opportunities offered by the region.

This is the second successive year that MedCruise promotes the attractiveness of its members in Far East, in a strategy aiming to transform Asia to a key passenger source market for Cruises in the Med.

MedCruise member ports further benefit from the work of the Association by expanding their professional network with key travel agents around the globe.

Cruise season ends in Baie-Comeau

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 16 November 2014 16 November 2014

The international cruise season ended in Baie-Comeau on a positive note. A total of nine vessels docked in the port in 2014, making a best season ever. The Pearl Mist, Seabourn Quest, Balmoral, Crystal Serenity and Silver Whisper did stopover more than once this season.

The port of Baie-Comeau did welcome more than 4,500 cruise passengers and 2,700 crew members. Most of the visitors were coming for United Kingdom & USA. Last september 25th, we did receive our 25,000th cruise passenger Mrs. Magdalena De Vlieger who was accompanied by her husband. Traveling with the Seabourn Quest, the Belgian couple chose to cruise the St-Lawrence for the vibrant fall colors. They had a great surprise disembarking the vessel: limousine, Champaign, private tour and signature of the Gold book at the town hall were part of the program.

"The weather was on our side this summer it helped the disembarkation rate to an average of 90%, 10% more than 2013! Over 1300 tours were sold, the visitors did enjoy Baie-Comeau’s attractions; the favorite one has been the Garden of the Glaciers. A walk through Baie-Comeau & the Manic 2 dam have been really popular as well," the port said in a statement.

Next year looks promising as well, as Baie-Comeau will welcome at least seven vessels. The season will start on september 5th 2015 with the Seabourn Quest. Cruise Lines are already booking their passage in Baie-Comeau for 2016, eight vessels are already scheduled.