Departments

San Francisco approves Pier 27 cruise terminal – after two decades

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 19 December 2011 19 December 2011

The San Francisco Port Commission has approved the construction of the Pier 27 James R. Herman International Cruise Terminal and Northeast Wharf Plaza.

“For more than two decades, we have been trying to find the mechanism and the money to construct a new cruise terminal that is befitting of the City’s prominence as a world class destination,” said San Francisco MayorEdwin M. Lee. “Now that the Port Commission has adopted the Project and the San Francisco Planning Department’s certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report, work can truly begin – work whose construction and completion will bring what we need most: jobs, jobs, jobs,” the prt authority said in a statement.

It is estimated that the cruise industry last year generated nearly $40 million in economic benefits to the region. The average economic contribution per home ported vessel call was close to $1.2 million and the average impact of an in-transit call was $800,000. Not only does the cruise industry benefit San Francisco’s leading industry, tourism, it also directly benefits San Francisco’s other maritime industries such as tug and tow operators, Bar Pilots, ship suppliers and longshore workers.

The new James R. Herman International Cruise Terminal will be named in honor of the late James R. Herman: former Port Commissioner and President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Dean Brown, Executive Vice President of Corporate Services for Princess Cruises stated, “As a longtime partner with the Port of San Francisco, Princess Cruises looks forward to calling at a new cruise terminal at Pier 27. The new terminal will provide our guests with a more efficient and comfortable experience befitting a City like San Francisco.”

As a result of the Port Commission’s landmark approval, in the first quarter of 2012, ground breaking will commence on construction of a new 88,000 square foot cruise terminal and 2½ acre public park, the Northeast Wharf Plaza, at Piers 27-29, a 14.8 acre site located on The Embarcadero at Bay Street. The new cruise terminal on Pier 27 will serve as the primary cruise ship terminal, while the cruise terminal on Pier 35 will be used as a secondary terminal in the event that two cruise ships require berthing on the same date. The terminal will be appointed with modern passenger amenities-, be able to handle the largest classes of cruise ships and will reduce vessel emissions at the Port by providing shorepower.

Christmas markets and festive season boost calls at Atlantic Alliance ports

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 12 December 2011 12 December 2011

During the festive season, many of the Atlantic Alliance ports are welcoming, not for the first time, cruise ships at their quays. Those ships are on special Christmas themed cruises, an ever more interesting niche, from which everybody involved in the cruise business can benefit, the organisation said in a statement.

Last year the ports of the Atlantic Alliance have already been quite busy during the festive season. Due to the great success of the Christmas cruises, so far mainly for the English source market, some member ports of the Atlantic Alliance are now handling a number of cruise calls during the month of December.

“Visiting the European Christmas markets is an ever increasing winter cruise theme with a lot of potential for future growth, especially for our region”, Atlantic Alliance’s manager Nadine Palatz commented. One of the main benefits for a cruise line is to have a very special and alternative program to the Caribbean and Mediterranean for the passenger. The passengers can enjoy a unique, festive, winter atmosphere. At Christmas time in Europe, almost nothing gets people into the holiday spirit like a Christmas market. The smell of mulled wine, chestnuts, wurst and traditional Christmas desserts such as the Spanish almond-based „turrón“ wafts through the air.

The other main benefit is that the cruise line doesn’t need to reposition its ship to a far away destination and as such can make big savings in fuel consumption. Furthermore, the ports also benefit from an extended season, making better use of their terminal facilities during the quieter winter season. Last but not least, the local tourism authorities and shopping malls are of course happy to welcome cruise passengers to their cities for Christmas shopping and their Christmas markets.

To attract more winter cruise traffic in the future, the member ports have developed a virtual Christmas tour, which makes the theme cruise idea more accessible for everyone. The emotive virtual tour gives a taste of actually being there and has the unbeatable advantage of being able to convey impressions and atmosphere much better than pictures.

Christmas cruises in Hamburg – the alternative for winter cruising

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 08 December 2011 08 December 2011

The 2011 cruising season was the most successful Hamburg has ever had. The Hanseatic metropolis is increasingly coming to be a destination for all year round cruising. During the month of December, four cruise calls are scheduled. These include one double arrival, plus the first appearance of a river cruise ship.

Cruise fans in Hamburg will have a lot of treats to enjoy in December. Almost every Sunday in December a ship will be arriving or has arrived already at the Hamburg Cruise Center in HafenCity. Mainly British visitors will be taking Christmas Market Cruises, exchanging their traditional tea time for mulled wine and Spekulatius.

At the second Advent weekend, on 4 December, the Balmoral of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines moored at the Hamburg Cruise Center HafenCity. It remained in port until around 4.00 pm on 5 December.

On the third Sunday in Advent the Saga Pearl II of Saga Cruises will be returning to Hamburg in the run-up to Christmas. It is almost exactly a year since the ship celebrated her first appearance in the hanseatic city. On her Christmas Markets of Europe Cruise she will also visit Belgium and Holland.

The official end of the season, on 17 and 18 December, will be marked by a double arrival. On the evening of 17 December at 6.00 pm, the Albatros and the Amadea of Phoenix Reisen will make fast at the Cruise Center in HafenCity. Before both ships continue on their big global trips, going in the direction of South America, on the fourth Sunday in Advent singing Santas at the terminal will put the cruise passengers in a festive mood.

When it comes to Christmas cruises, Hamburg has a lot to offer. Eight thematic Christmas markets at once are held in the vicinity of HafenCity Cruise Center, creating an unforgettable festive atmosphere. Once again these include the Christmas Market of the Überseequartier district, which takes place in full view of the terminal – this year with an extended programme, lots of surprises and atmospheric lighting.

And then there are even more cruise ships to admire. Two cruise liners have been on view at the docks opposite since last weekend. Back on November 16 the Oriana of the P&O Cruises shipping company docked near Blohm + Voss. And since 26 November Cunard's Queen Mary 2 has also been in port, for what is now its fifth maintenance visit to the traditional shipyard. The QM2 left on 5 December for another big trip. The Oriana, on the other hand, is likely to be staying at the dock until 17 December.

But the last cruiser of this year is not an ocean-going giant. On 27 December the Frederic Chopin of Nicko Tours will be in Hamburg. She offers a New Year's river cruise, exclusively to mark this special turn of the year. Travelling eastward on the Elbe, she will be visiting the towns of Wittenberge, Meissen, Dresden and Bad Schandau.

Prince Rupert implements Port Improvement Plan

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 01 December 2011 01 December 2011

Facing a significant reduction in cruise ship business booked for 2012, http://www.rupertport.com British Columbia, Canada, engaged http://www.globaldd.com in 2011 to assess its viability as a port of call on Alaska itineraries and offer recommendations to attract cruise lines.

Using the results of the Cruise Destination Fitness Test, Global Destinations Development concluded that the town's appeal, history and character, geographical attributes and potential to expand current attractions make Prince Rupert a viable cruise destination. GDD estimated that an investment of CA$15 million to $22 million (US$14.4 million to $21.1 million) over several years would transform Prince Rupert into a first-class port of call.

"Based on Global Destinations' findings we are acquiring property from the city and advancing development planning for the entire upland area, which will include pedestrian corridors, public spaces, commercial property developments and programming areas," said Shaun Stevenson, vice president, marketing and business development for Prince Rupert Port Authority. "We have completed concept development on an aboriginal cultural interpretive center for one of the development sites, and a port interpretive center will be complete in time for the 2012 cruise season."

Created by Michael Greve, the trademarked Cruise Destination Fitness Test provides a realistic assessment of a port's prospects in the industry, including recommendations for improvement. It analyzes major attributes that contribute to a cruise destination's success, including geographic location, docks, condition of the town, marketing attractiveness to cruisers and travel agents, direct costs of calling, on-board revenue potential, operations and guest satisfaction. The Fitness Test The test employs a simple A to F grading system, with pluses and minuses, and a 100-point scoring scheme.

"Potential homeports and ports of call around the world come to Global Destinations for expertise on how to be successful in the cruise industry," said Michael Greve, president. "Prince Rupert in British Columbia and Banana Coast in Honduras both used Global's Fitness Test to assess strengths and weaknesses, and to create capital plans for improvement."

For Prince Rupert Port Authority, the analysis was applied twice – to assess its current situation and to estimate the score after hypothetical improvements were made. On the second test, PRPA's score rose from C- to B+.

Based on the findings of the Fitness Test, PRPA embarked on a program to build community involvement with the City of Prince Rupert. A cruise task force was formed to develop volunteer programs, excursions and new businesses. The success of the community cruise task force initiatives in 2011 culminated in increased guest numbers ashore, guests lingering at waterfront markets to enjoy local artisans, First Nations carvers and student-led walking tours, and a higher concentration of activity near the ship, within reach of every guest who came ashore.

Prince Rupert Port Authority's 2011 Alaska season ended with more than 50,000 cruise passengers arriving on 21 ship calls from May through September.

LCA members target Portsmouth

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 28 November 2011 28 November 2011

With new facilities at Portsmouth International Port helping to attract more cruise ships, Members of the Leading Cruise Agents of the UK took the opportunity, 23 November, to see for themselves how the Port has changed, and they were amongst the first travel professionals to view the recently completed canopy outside the new cruise terminal entrance.

The LCA delegation were in Portsmouth, not only to see the new passenger terminal, but also to view the Marriott Portsmouth Hotel, which is active in the pre and post-cruise market, and visit some of the city’s most famous attractions. The group, who began the day with a networking meeting and lunch, followed by a comprehensive tour of the Terminal, then visited the Historic Dockyard, Spinnaker Tower and Gunwharf Quays - all major attractions available to cruise travellers stopping off on a cruise, or embarking from the city’s port.

Ferry Port Manager, Phil Gadd commented, "We’ve invested more than £16 million in improving passenger facilities at the Port. It’s already paying off, with cruise operators like Fred. Olsen and All Leisure Group deciding to base some of their ships here. This was a great opportunity to show the people who actually sell these holidays to passengers just how the Port has changed, and what a wonderful city Portsmouth is to visit."

With the cruise market continuing to grow, the LCA has dedicated itself to offer expert, professional and unbiased advice on an ever-expanding range of holidays. Its aim is to make sure customers are matched with exactly the right sort of cruise, based on first hand knowledge of what is available. The LCA’s Kevin Griffin and his colleague-Directors were keen to show Members just what Portsmouth has to offer. He said, "LCA agents are focused on offering cruising with a difference - promoting new, exciting developments like Portsmouth, from a base of real expertise and experience. We’re delighted to be learning more about this superb new facility and its surrounding attractions."