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Allure of the Seas to bring 158,000 passengers, generate EUR 17.5 million in Barcelona

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 14 February 2014 14 February 2014

Next year Barcelona will be the turnaround port for the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's the Allure of the Seas, a vessel measuring 361 metres in length with a capacity for 6,318 people (equal to the entire population of the Catalan village of Tremp). This Oasis-class cruise ship, the sister of the Oasis of the Seas (which this year will also visit the Catalan capital) will set sail 25 times from Barcelona. This will be the first time that this cruise ship has visited Europe – up to now she has cruised exclusively around the Caribbean from her base in Port Lauderdale.

"The choice of Barcelona as a base for the Allure of the Seas for the entire 2015 season is a challenge for the large scale of operations that the ship will be making, but it also helps to consolidate Barcelona as the leader in the European and Mediterranean cruise sector" said Sixte Cambra, president of Barcelona Port Authority.

At a joint press conference, Belén Wangüemert, CEO of Royal Caribbean in Spain and France, highlighted the enormous boost that the arrival of a vessel of this type represents for tourism and for business directly linked to cruise activity, involving a full range of port services and supplies. Specifically, Belén Wangüemert said that 158,000 passengers are expected to pass through the Port of Barcelona in the vessel's turnaround operations (start and end of the cruise), contributing 17.5 million EUR to the city's economy.

This estimate is based on the latest study from Barcelona Tourist Board, which has calculated that cruise passengers in turnaround spend an average of 113 EUR, but this is not the only impact the Allure of the Seas will cause on the local economy. Wealth creation also includes business generated by ship supplies (food, fuel, water and all kinds of consumer products); services and port fees; the benefit in tourist terms of bringing passengers to Barcelona from all over the world; or the positive impact it has on the international image of the capital of Catalonia.

Sixte Cambra pointed out that Barcelona is the only Mediterranean port with appropriate facilities to handle large-scale operations for vessels such as the Allure of the Seas, with more than 12,000 passengers embarking and disembarking daily (6,300 in each operation). To ensure that these run smoothly and efficiently, Terminals B and C, managed by Creuers del Port de Barcelona (Port of Barcelona Cruises) and located on Adossat wharf, will provide service to the Royal Caribbean vessel simultaneously.

Cambra stressed that Barcelona is well prepared to host these operations thanks to infrastructure investments valued at over 100 million EUR undertaken in recent years by the Port and private operators, but also thanks to the professionalism of the Port Community and all the stakeholders associated with the cruise industry in the city. "The international terminals run by Port of Barcelona Cruises are especially functional and have been designed to suit the needs of the market in terms of the size and capacity of ships. Therefore we are well equipped to handle large-scale embarking and disembarking operations with the highest levels of safety, security and efficiency," he added.
This year, the busiest day in passenger terms will be 18 May, with the arrival of 31,534 tourists at the Port. The busiest weekend for passenger arrivals will be from 12 and 14 September, with more than 57,700 tourists arriving in Barcelona.

Last year, the Port of Barcelona received a total of 2.6 million passengers, an increase of 8% year on year and equal to the record high of 2011. Nearly 60% of passengers were in turnaround, in other words they began and/or ended their journey in the city. Passengers in this mode contribute the most to the local economy, since they spend more in the city, mainly in hotels, restaurants, shops and transport.

The Allure of the Seas is scheduled to arrive in Barcelona in May 2015, and will operate there until mid-October. During that time, she will make one short cruise and 22 seven-night circuits with itineraries that will include visits to the ports of Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, La Spezia (Florence- Pisa), Civitavecchia (Rome) and Naples. In addition she will also make two transatlantic trips, at the beginning and end of the season.

Royal Caribbean has been operating at the Port of Barcelona since 1996, when the company brought its Splendour of the Seas cruise ship here. Wangüemert pointed out that vessels from the Royal Caribbean fleet have been based in the city or have made stopovers there for 18 years: "The arrival of the Oasis and Allure of the Seas confirms Royal Caribbean’s commitment to Barcelona, which has established its role as a key port for our company."

Banana Coast welcomes first cruise ship call

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 10 February 2014 10 February 2014

Banana Coast, the newest western Caribbean cruise port, welcomed its first cruise ship call at Trujillo, Honduras, today. Travel Dynamics International's U.S.-flagged 130-passenger Yorktown made the inaugural call and is scheduled to return next Monday.

After tendering ashore Yorktown guests were treated to performances by Garifuna musicians, browsed locally made crafts and set out on tours to the nearby rainforest as well as enjoyed the beach.

"It was rewarding to see Banana Coast come to life today with its first cruise passengers," said Randy Jorgensen, general manager of Grande Trujillo Authoridad, which developed the port. "Travel Dynamics' guests are interested in culture, history and nature when they cruise, and we are proud to offer a destination that delivers all of that and more."

Travel Dynamics International specializes in high-caliber educational cruises aboard intimate coastal cruise ships in North America, the Mediterranean, Antarctica and Africa. Banana Coast was added to Yorktown's "Tropical Islands, Rain Forests & Ancient Sites of Central America" itinerary.

Banana Coast has shopping, a newly built tender dock, reception center and transportation hub as well as 10 acres of beachfront right in the town of Trujillo, which was established in 1525. Diverse shore excursions feature the region’s Spanish colonial heritage and lush tropical setting with cultural, historical, soft-adventure and eco-tour offerings.

To date, five cruise lines have scheduled 20 calls on eight ships at Honduras' first mainland cruise destination. Holland America Line was the first major cruise company to commit to a series of port calls beginning in November 2014 through March 2015. Silversea Cruises has slated calls in December 2014 and March 2015. P&O Cruises and Oceania Cruises are slated to call in the first quarter of 2015.

Bonaire welcomed more than 16,000 cruise passengers

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 03 February 2014 03 February 2014

Bonaire experienced its busiest cruise week of the 2013/2014 Season in the week of January 20 - 26, 2014. Bonaire welcomed six cruise ships and over 16,000 cruise passengers. Bonaire had cruise calls from P&O Cruises, Celebrity/Royal Caribbean, AIDA Cruises, Holland American Line and Princess Cruises. Friday January 24th, 2014 was the busiest day with over 6,000 Cruise Passengers and two cruise
ships in port.

"We are extremely happy to see that our Cruise high season is going well. The week alone contributed USD $1.15 million to our economy. As we continue to expand our Cruise calls both in the high and low season, we also strive to observe Bonaire's carrying capacity. TCB would like to thank all theoperators, Taxi drivers and our private sector for providing our cruise passengers with an excellent customer service and experience. The organization at the port and the relaxed approach of our island is being greatly enjoyed" commented Ethsel Pieternella, Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. "Bonaire is at the top of the Caribbean in service to our visitors.''

Additional information regarding the Cruise Schedule is available online at:
www.tourismbonaire.com.

Heraklion Port Authority upgrades facilities, forecasts 24% rise in calls

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 29 January 2014 29 January 2014

Heraklion Port Authority on the Greek island of Crete says it continues its effort to upgrade the experience of the visitors cruising to Heraklion. "This is part of the 'customer experience enhancement program' project, which is partially implemented with local government and scientific organisations. Part of the above project is also the installation of two interactive systems at the ports Cruise Terminal, which the passengers visiting Heraklion in 2014 will have the chance to use," the Port said in a statement.

"The first system, called 'Infocloud', offers information on a variety of topics relating Crete (mythology, culture, etc.). The second system is a kinaesthetic game which is played on an interactive wall by one or more players, and uses body movements to 'collect' traditional Cretan products."

These systems provide an opportunity for the visitor to gain information about the history, the nature and the tradition of the island, through a different, more-experiential way, aided by innovative technologies developed in Crete.

"Furthermore, the Port Authority is getting prepared for an equally promising "cruise season" that started on January 11th, with the first call of the cruise ship MSC Fantasia. This new cruise season is characterised by an expected nominal increase on arrivals of 24%, which will give a significant boost to the local market, especially during the winter months," the Port said.

"During 2014, cruise passengers visiting Heraklion Port will have the opportunity to come in contact with Crete’s local flora, through the port’s new project called 'Herbs.' The project includes the planting of various species of Crete’s endemic plants and herbs along the route to the exit of the port. The visitor is stimulated to use both his senses to touch and smell the leaves and the fruits of each plant."

"Next to each plant, two informative signs are placed. The first one gives information about the morphological characteristics of the tree/plant, its history, its use in cooking, medicine & cosmetics, and finally its impact on the economic growth and the tradition of the inhabitants. The second sign gives a detailed way (eg recipe / preparation process for food / beverage or dessert) of the local cuisine, where the plant is used. The project was implemented by the Port Authority, in collaboration with the Municipality of Heraklion that offered the plants, and Crete’s Chefs Club that edited the recipes."

Port of Galveston approves five-year agreement with Royal Caribbean

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 28 January 2014 28 January 2014

The Port of Galveston announced that the Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves approved a 5 year agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. at Monday’s Board meeting. This agreement will generate a minimum of $1.86 million in annual operating revenues for the Port.

The agreement requires making improvements to the Port's Cruise Terminal No. 2 to accommodate larger vessels and more passengers. Initial plans are to increase the size of the terminal, expanding it to 150,000 square feet with the capacity to seat about 1,000. This expansion is estimated to cost approximately $10 million.

"The port has worked closely with Royal Caribbean to identify the upgrades needed to improve their operations at Cruise Terminal No. 2 for both Voyager class vessels and any larger vessels in the future. I’m confident that these improvements will be completed by spring 2015 without disruption to current cruise operations," said Port Director, Mike Mierzwa.

Royal Caribbean currently operates Navigator of the Seas year round from the Port of Galveston. The cruise line has agreed to an additional 30 calls in both 2014 and 2015, committing to a year-round vessel in both years with a promise to bring a larger vessel to the Port next year when improvements to Cruise Terminal No. 2 are completed.

The Port of Galveston, Texas’ Star Cruise Port serves as the primary point of embarkation for cruises to the western Caribbean and the Bahamas and handles over one million cruise passengers annually. The Port of Galveston is the homeport to Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph, and Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas. Port of Galveston ranks as the 4th busiest cruise port in the United States and one of the top twenty cruise ports in the world.