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Icelandic cruise ground operator to launch Elf-inspired 'selfie' photo-sharing fun

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 21 January 2014 21 January 2014

Iceland Travel, the country’s premiere Cruise Ground Operator, is taking the “selfie" photo sharing phenomenon to an otherworldly level this summer, combining the island’s unique nature, colorful folklore and a traveler’s playful sense of discovery in what shall forever be known as the #ElfieSelfie.

The creative hashtag is the brainchild of Liz Gammon, Manager of Shore Excursions and Cruise Services at Iceland Travel who explains, “Iceland’s undeniably photogenic environment of glaciers, waterfalls, and steaming geysers is perfectly matched by its distinctive folklore tales of supernatural beings.” Gammon continues, “Bizarre lava formations were explained in folktales as trolls who turned to stone from being caught in the daylight. Along with quirky museums, outdoor statues and tiny elf houses, I think travelers are going to love locating and sharing these sites throughout Iceland’s ports with the #ElfieSelfie.”

Recently Ms. Gammon consulted with local elf experts while developing a cruise industry event and is mindful of respecting the traditional beliefs of folkloric beings known as "hidden people" that have been passed through generations since Viking times. Says Gammon, “We’re not making fun of the elves and don’t recommend visitors do either. These normally harmless creatures are known to become quite vengeful if disrespected.”

The Summer of #ElfieSelfie

While the publishers of Oxford Dictionaries named “selfie” the word of the year and it is the digital fad no one seems able to resist, Gammon says the timing of #ElfieSelfie feels right. “Beginning this summer, travelers to Iceland are encouraged to post photos on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #ElfieSelfie for the opportunity to be posted across Iceland Travel’s social media networks.” Gammon finishes by stating, “We’re not expecting anyone to capture a selfie with an actual Icelandic elf, but if they do it’s considered extraordinarily lucky!”

Global Ports Holding led group elected preferred bidder for Lisbon Cruise Terminal

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 20 January 2014 20 January 2014

Global Ports Holding (GPH), a fully-owned subsidiary of Global Yatırım Holding in Turkey and currently the operator of three leading commercial and cruise ports in Turkey, says that it has been selected as the preferred bidder, as part of a consortium comprising Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Creuers del Port de Barcelona, S.A. and Grupo Sousa – Investimentos SGPS, LDA, for the Built Operate Transfer (BOT) contract of the Lisbon Cruise Terminal. The 35-year contract will include the construction and the operation of a landmark cruise terminal, on a public-service concession basis, at the Lisbon Cruise Terminal.

"With this new terminal, the Port Authority of Lisbon aims to grow in calls, cruise passengers, as well as increasing the turn-around operations with a view to double the current traffic of 550,000 passengers in the medium term. The new terminal is expected to provide the port with an estimated 1.8mn passengers while supporting the growth of turnaround business and as such contributing favorably to regional tourism and economy. The construction of the new Lisbon Cruise Terminal, estimated to cost about €24 million in total investment, will start in early 2014 with expected completion by the end of 2015," GPH said in a statement

Arpak Demircan, the Deputy CEO of GPH, said “We, as GPH, have been targeting organic growth till now while revamping efficiency, systems and marketing processes in our Turkish ports. Having also successfully integrated our three ports, we are currently focusing on inorganic growth. In that vein, we acquired 62% of the Port of Bar and 43% of Creuers del Port de Barcelona, S.A. through Barcelona Port Investments in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., one of the world’s leading cruise operators. Now, joining forces again with Royal Caribbean, we are targeting to add the Lisbon cruise terminal to our expanding portfolio of international assets. Once completed, with the addition of Lisbon Cruise Port to the existing portfolio of Barcelona, Malaga, Singapore, Kuşadası, Bodrum and Antalya Ports, GPH will reach 10mn cruise passengers worldwide and this will make us the world’s largest cruise operator.”

GPH has bid for the concession in an SPV wherein 40% is held by GPH, 30% by Grupo Sousa Investimentos SGPS, 20% by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and 10% by Creuers Del Port Barcelona S.A.

BVIPA moving ahead with cruise pier project – berthing agreements to be signed

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

The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) in going forward with the Cruise Pier Expansion Project will formally enter into preferential berthing agreements with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Disney Cruise Line (DCL) this Friday.

The signing of the agreements will put into force an annual guarantee of 350,000 and 75,000 passengers from NCL and DCL respectively.

On the berthing agreement signing, Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Mr. Claude O. Skelton Cline commented: “The signing of the agreements signals a milestone in the cruise pier expansion project’s development.”

As for the next stage in the cruise pier expansion project, Mr. Cline said, “We will continue to work diligently in tandem with our cruise line partners to make the BVI a marquee destination for cruise tourism.”

The managing director will facilitate Friday’s event while Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark Vanterpool; DCL President Mr. Karl L. Holz; and NCL Vice President Destination and Strategic Development Mr. Colin Murphy will give remarks.

The berthing agreement signing is in line with the BVI Ports Authority’s vision to create a unique and modern cruise pier facility that delivers a memorable, world-class and environmentally compatible sustainable development.

The BVI Ports Authority is responsible for the Territory’s cruise infrastructure and facilitates port calls.

Port of La Spezia achieves a new record

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

In 2013 the Port of La Spezia has achieved a record in cruise traffic with 214,000 passengers moved (+326%); in 2014 over 465,000 pax (+117%) and 165 calls are expected.

"Thanks to its strategic geographical position La Spezia is achieving excellent results, playing a very important role as emerging cruise port in the Med with the possibility to reach extraordinary destinations, both in Liguria, Tuscany and Emilia such as Cinque Terre, La Spezia, Portovenere, Lerici, Sarzana, Pisa, Firenze... In the meantime the port authority is carrying out the new cruise pier project at Paita wharf that will allow to accommodate two large vessels simultaneously," the port said in a statement.

Many companies have chosen to call the Port of La Spezia such as: Costa Crociere, Royal Caribbean International, MSC Crociere, Disney, Ibero Cruises, Carnival, AIDA Cruises, Pullmantur and Regent Seven Seas.

BVI Ports Authority requests 'Expressions of Interest' for cruise pier project

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 23 December 2013 23 December 2013

The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) is requesting "Expressions of Interest" for the Cruise Pier Expansion Project and experienced design/ build contractors have until December 19 to submit same.

As indicated in a document titled „Request for Expressions of Interest – Cruise Pier Expansion Development’, has been released to local media, "The BVIPA is moving into the next phase of the development, to create a unique and modern cruise pier
facility to deliver a memorable, world-class and environmentally compatible and sustainable development.”

The document outlines the project‟s key components, namely, the extension, strengthening and widening of the existing cruise pier; development of a boardwalk; further development and enhancement of the excursion dock facility; dredging of specific areas within the vicinity of the cruise pier and depositing dredged material on land to be used as fill; and, development of new lands by bulk heading and filling at specified areas in close proximity to the cruise pier.

To that end, the BVIPA, "intends to seek proposals from qualified, resourceful, experienced, imaginative, and internationally reputable Marine Planning, Design and Construction firms for Planning, Engineering Design and Construction Services for the
development of the Project,” the document states.

Among other tasks, eligible design/ build contactors will be expected to develop comprehensive final engineering designs, based on concepts that have already been developed; provide construction services including project management, contract administration and environmental management; establish the Project site; and furnish and install all navigation aids.