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Norwegian Cruise Line unveils "Cabanas on the Cay" on Great Stirrup Cay

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 30 May 2012 30 May 2012

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that "Cabanas on the Cay," exclusive private cabanas with VIP service and amenities, are now available on Great Stirrup Cay, the line's 250-acre private island in the Bahamas. The launch of "Cabanas on the Cay" marks another significant addition to the island as part of the $25 million dollar enhancement project.

Located to the west of the island's main beach, these perfectly-appointed private Cabanas boast exclusive service and amenities to provide guests with the ultimate island escape and total relaxation. Available for $249 per day, each Cabana accommodates up to six guests and is fully furnished with lounge chairs, tables, cooler, beach towels and a shower. Cabana rental also includes a $50 food and beverage credit; up to six all-day passes to the Hippo Waterslide, a $120 value; and one large float, a $25 value; for guests to enjoy during their time on the island.

Guests who reserve one of the 10 "Cabanas on the Cay" will enjoy priority tender service to the island and, upon arrival to their private cabana, will receive six complimentary bottles of water and a refreshing fruit basket. As they relax on one of the comfortable lounge chairs, guests will have the opportunity to use their $50 food and beverage credit towards pre-ordered "Cabanas on the Cay" food and beverage selections.

Norwegian has prepared an exclusive menu for Cabana guests consisting of delicious seafood, charcuterie, sushi and fruit platters. Guests who choose to dine at the Island's BBQ can use their credit towards one of the many beverage packages available exclusively for Cabana guests, or towards other beverage purchases on the island.

Each of the 10 Cabanas on the Cay are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and can be pre-booked as a shore excursion on ncl.com or through the Shore Excursion Desk on board.

Norwegian was the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its guests. Great Stirrup Cay offers magnificent white sand beaches, majestic palms and calm, pristine waters where an abundance of colorful marine life inhabits the surrounding coral reefs. Activities on the island include snorkeling; Waverunner(r) tour; eco boat tour; kayaking; parasailing; shopping at the straw market; and more.

Norwegian Sky makes year-round stops at Great Stirrup Cay on her three and four-day cruises from Miami. Norwegian Gem visits Great Stirrup Cay during her seven-day Bahamas & Florida itinerary from New York. Beginning in October, Norwegian Jewel will also stop at Great Stirrup Cay on her seven-day Bahamas & Florida cruises from New York. Norwegian Pearl will also visit Great Stirrup Cay this winter on her seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary from Miami. Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian's newest ship launching next spring, will visit Great Stirrup Cay on seven-day cruises from New York to Bahamas & Florida beginning in mid-October 2013.

Port of Portland: Cruise calls bring bonus to local business

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 29 May 2012 29 May 2012

This year 10 cruise liners will call into Portland, with the first two already having visited the Port at the beginning of May. Portland may be the only UK port of call on many of the cruise calls itineraries, which means that passengers may only be carrying Euros. Ian McQuade, General Manager (Commercial), said: "Local businesses are advised that many cruise passengers may ask to pay for items using their Euros; if people are willing to accept this currency it will greatly benefit our visitors on the day."

This years cruise calls will bring an additional 10,000 visitors to the area. Portland Port will be providing passengers with a complimentary shuttle bus service into Weymouth, where it is hoped that local shops, restaurants and general entertainment facilities will accept the Euro on the day of the influx of tourists.

A variety of retail outlets in Weymouth Town Centre have so far benefited from the influx of cruise passengers. From buying shoes and cosmetics to purchasing souvenirs, the foreign visitors have bought about an increase in shop sales on the day of their call at Portland. Sarah Walton, Assistant Manager of Clarks in Weymouth said: "We noticed a higher influx of customers on the day of the cruise calls and it most definitely resulted in an increased turnover on the day. We will certainly be welcoming more cruise passengers to the shop in the coming months."

Suzanne Logan, Manager of Reiker in Weymouth said: "The day of the cruise calls resulted in some phenomenal takings. It was great to serve people of all different nationalities. The more cruise calls the better."

The remaining eight cruise calls for 2012 will call into the Port between June and September. Ian added: "2012 sees the biggest cruise season to date at the Port and 2013 is set to be even better. With such big numbers of cruise guests hopefully local shops will continue to notice an increase in their sales on the days a cruise ship is in port."

Hamburg to handle in four weeks annual 2008 passenger volume

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 16 May 2012 16 May 2012

The Port of Hamburg will be visited a total of 33 times by cruise ships in May. “While the volume of passengers for the whole of 2008 stood at 89,000, passenger turnover in May 2012 alone is anticipated to hit the 94,000 mark,” the port said in a statement.

Eight cruise ships - AIDAblu, AIDAluna, AIDAmar, AIDAsol, Deutschland, Le Boréal, MSC Lirica, Queen Mary 2, Star Flyer and the training vessel Alexander von Humboldt 2 all made an appearance on the port’s 823rd anniversary (11 to 13 May 2012). In addition, this month will also witness three maiden visits, five double visits, three triple visits, one quadruple and even one quintuple visit. Around 1.4 million people celebrated the port’s 823rd anniversary. 

Senator Frank Horch, head of the responsible Ministry for Economy, Transport and Innovation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, summed it up, “Over the three days, the port was livelier than it has ever been. More than 300 ships from every area of the maritime community produced a truly unique spectacle for the residents of Hamburg and visitors from all over the world.”

 The crowning glory and absolute icing on the cake this year was surely the world’s biggest ship’s christening involving the AIDAmar. Accompanied by three sister ships, the latest ship in the AIDA Cruises fleet was named on Saturday evening in an elaborately staged event at the Port of Hamburg. Hundreds of thousands of spectators followed the exceptional naming ceremony.

Turku Cruise Port is getting ready for a new season

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 05 May 2012 05 May 2012

The 2011 cruise season was a good one for Turku with seven cruise calls and a record number of passengers 5456 in total. Turku being the European Capital of Culture gave added flavour to cruise passengers' day in Turku.

The 2012 season will start earlier than ever before with Saga Shipping's Quest for Adventure arriving on 26 May. It is her first call in Turku and part of a Gulf of Bothnia cruise. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Black Watch will call three times ending the cruise season in Turku on 20 September.

Free reception of waste water from cruise vessels

The Port of Turku has taken a decision to continue offering free reception of waste water from cruise vessels until end of 2015. This is the port's environmental contribution to improving the state of the Baltic Sea. The waste water will be transported by tank truck to a specific collection point at the port area for further delivery to the city sewage treatment plant. The free collection system was introduced in 2010.