MSC Cruises Anchors Abu Dhabi

2010-10-26

Abu Dhabi has taken another step toward becoming an international cruise hub following the signing of a co-operation agreement between the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and Italian cruise line MSC Cruises. The agreement will see the world's fastest growing cruise operator using Abu Dhabi as a homeport from October 2011.

The terms of the partnership will see the MSC Lirica based out of Abu Dhabi for the cruise line's maiden season in 2011/12. The 2,200 capacity ship will will offer 19 cruises over five destinations between November 2011 and March 2012.

Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA announced "MSC Cruises’ commitment to Abu Dhabi as a homeport will deliver both tactical and strategic outcomes for the Emirates... Beyond the substantial, broad-based benefits to our domestic tourism sector through incremental gains in hotel guests, longer length of stay and greater spending, this partnership provides Abu Dhabi a firm footing on the international cruise tourism map and reinforces the strategic case for a world-class, purpose-built cruise terminal in the emirate."

Pierfrancesco Vago, Chief Executive Officer, MSC Cruises said "MSC Cruises is proud to become the first cruise company to choose Abu Dhabi as a homeport... With our state-of-the-art vessel MSC Lirica operating 95 calls and 19 rotations in the region, our presence will have a significant impact on the tourism industry of Abu Dhabi... We see Abu Dhabi as an exciting cruise destination which has already proved immensely popular with international tourists... MSC Cruises will be an important catalyst in driving growth in cruise tourism in the region. After having discovered the UAE and their exciting attractions from our luxury ship, visitors will come back again, as they always do, further boosting the development and promotion of local economy."

Written by Charlie Hamilton-Beaufort

Hurtigruten Increase Northern Lights Charters

2010-07-16

Scandinavian based Hurtigruten Cruises has increased its capacity for its Northern Lights cruises this winter. The cruise line has added charter flights from Gatwick to Tromso due to high demand.

The additional flights have been added in January and February 2011 and details of itineraries and dates are due to be released shortly.

Hurtigruten's Sales and Marketing Director Kathryn Beadle said "Groups are a key focus area for our Northern Lights program and the demand we are experiencing from agents in this area is unprecedented... We hope these charters will provide agents with the additional availability they need."

Flights into Tromso ensure that passengers receive the maximum time in the Arctic Circle to see the North Lights, due to it's location.

Written by Troy McGuire

Africa growing as a cruise holiday destination

2010-04-26

Demand is slowly beginning to increase from individuals hoping to set sail on an Africa cruise with the destination having previously played second fiddle to other locations including the Mediterranean, Caribbean and even Antarctica, it has been stated.

The Daily Mail reports that many cruise liners were previously reluctant to head to the continent because of issues ranging from the risk of pirates to the poor quality of ports.

However, with cruise fans hungry to visit new destinations, Africa is starting to turn a corner, with MSC Cruises and Princess Cruises among the liners offering itineraries to the continent.

These include trips to the likes of South Africa, Ghana, Benin, Senegal and Namibia.

Penny Guy, of the London-based Passenger Shipping Association, told the publication: "Africa is the least developed continent in relation to cruising.

"There's potential for growth and we're expecting to see more ships calling in to African ports."

A range of memories can be gained through a cruise trip to Africa, such as a stop at a sun drenched beach on an island of the Indian Ocean or a chance to view the awe-inspiring Ancient Pyramids.

Written by Chris Smith

Dubai to expand foothold in cruise sector with new terminal

2010-01-07

Cruise lovers can look forward to enjoying a greater number of stopovers in the Middle East following news that a new cruise terminal will be inaugurated in Dubai in February 2010.

Announced by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the facility will be capable of accommodating four ships simultaneously and is expected to boost tourism.

Dubai is the region's best cruise tourism destination and the terminal located in the Port Rashid complex, which is based upon Dubai's contemporary Arabic design, will enhance its appeal.

Traditional domes, arches and carvings are at the centre of the facility's design, with ATMs, a post office, duty free shop, souvenir shops and Wi-Fi enabled internet access provided.

Costa Cruises is already using Dubai as its regional cruise hub and will use the destination to inaugurate the latest addition to its fleet Costa Deliziosa on February 23rd.

There was a 37 per cent increase in cruise visitors to the emirate as 250,000 tourists called into Dubai last year and the figure is expected to grow.

Written by Chris Smith.

Plans made to boost Liverpool's standing in the cruise industry

2009-12-21

Larger numbers of people from the north of England may choose to set sail on cruises from Liverpool in the future as a programme has been discussed to more than treble the number of ships arriving in the city.

Liverpool City Council has developed a partnership with harbour owners Peel Holdings and Mersey Docks and come up with a ten-year plan to make the destination one of the largest cruise hubs in the UK alongside Southampton.

Some 15 ships stopped in Liverpool during 2009, including the Queen Mary 2 from Cunard Cruises, with the planners optimistic of increasing this figure to 50.

Mersey Docks managing director Gary Hodgson, speaking for Peel Ports, said: "We still believe that there is opportunity in the city for cruise market growth.

"We are committed to working together with our partners to plan the strategy for this growth, allowing the Mersey's obvious potential in this segment of the market to be fully realised."

The developments have arisen just days after the Department of Transport rejected plans to use the Pier Head terminal as a "turnaround facility" due to it breaching EU competition law.

Liverpool's appeal to visitors is likely to have been boosted by it being named the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Written by Chris Smith

Greenock to benefit from new cruise facility in 2010

2009-12-18

More ships from liners including Cunard Cruises and P&O Cruises are to stop in Greenock next year as a result of a new £100,000 facility being built in the Scottish town.

Some 31 ships have already been signed up to call into the Greenock Ocean Terminal in 2010, including P&O's Oriana and the Queen Victoria from Cunard.

The terminal's cruise facility, which has already been in use for five months, is expected to bring 50,732 passengers to Greenock, a substantial rise on figures from the past two years.

It is estimated that the passengers and staff on board the cruises from Greenock will improve the Inverclyde economy by approximately £2 million.

Andrew Hemphill, Clydeport's operations manager at Ocean Terminal, said: "Year on year we are building the cruise business at Greenock and 2010 will be the best to date.

"Breaking the 50,000 passenger barrier for the first time is a fantastic achievement and testament to the efforts made to improve the experience of overseas visitors arriving at Greenock."

Among the most notable residents of Greenock include Richard Wilson, perhaps most noted for playing Victor Meldrew in the television show One Foot in the Grave.

Written by Chris Smith

Cairns to benefit from new cruise terminal

2009-11-30

Holidaymakers thinking of booking a family cruise in Australasia may be interested to learn that construction work is due to get underway on a new cruise ship terminal in Cairns.

An artist's impression of the terminal has been released ahead of building work beginning in the new year, Cairns.com.au reports.

As well as making the north-east Australian city more accessible to cruise enthusiasts, the terminal is expected to generate $30 million (£16.5 million) for the local economy each year.

"When the new terminal facilities are complete we will be welcoming visitors in style and encouraging them to spend a little more time and money onshore," premier of Queensland Anna Bligh told the website.

Developers have promised that the terminal will remain in keeping with Cairns' historical character, with Wharf Street's original tracks set to be retained.

The wharf building's mass timber frame will be conserved and made a feature.

Cairns Seaport is currently Australia's busiest seaport, accommodating more than 200 visits from domestic and international vessels each year.

Written by Chris Smith

Hairspray switches to Oasis of the Seas

2009-11-30

Just a few weeks ago, 21-year-old Natalie Woods was working as a children's entertainer in a Sussex holiday camp.

She has since become the star of the show in Broadway musical Hairspray, with the production having moved to Royal Caribbean Cruises'Oasis of the Seas, the world's largest passenger cruise liner, the Daily Mirror's John Honeywell writes.

The show premiered on Wednesday night (November 25th) and received a standing ovation from the ship's guests.

"It's the first time ever such a lavish full-length musical has been performed at sea, and it will be performed on the ship four times a week for the next four years," Mr Honeywell wrote.

Woods is starring alongside Michael Quinn, another British actor, in the production.

She won her part following auditions in London, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

Earlier this month, Oasis of the Seas docked in her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The vessel arrived in the US following a 14-day transatlantic cruise crossing from Turku in Finland.

Written by Chris Smith

P&O Cruises steps up New Zealand operations

2009-10-21

P&O Cruises has announced that it is to expand its operations in Australasia on the back of rising passenger demand.

Coming just days after the Star Princess liner arrived into the port of Auckland to mark the start of this year's summer season, P&O has confirmed that it will use the New Zealand city as the base for its upcoming super-ship, the Pacific Pearl.

The new ship will arrive into the city in December 2010, in time for the peak of next summer's season, thereby helping to boost the number of passengers enjoying a Pacific cruise out of the country.

Welcoming the news, New Zealand's prime minister John Key said: "This is a big vote from the cruise ship market."

He added that it also serves to justify the ongoing investment in the facilities at Queen's Wharf in Auckland, where a new luxury passenger terminal is being constructed.

At the same time, New Business Review has reported that Carnival Australia and New Zealand, P&O's parent company, has announced that it is to bring 11 ships to New Zealand over the coming season, across five of its brands.

Among the highlights of a cruise of New Zealand is Milford Sound, a fjord on the South Island, which is widely regarded as one of the natural wonders of the world.

Written by Chris Smith

Edinburgh aims to attract more cruise ships

2009-10-02

More luxury cruise liners could start making stopovers in Edinburgh thanks to a major new marketing campaign unveiled by the Scottish city.

A 40 per cent increase in the number of cruise ships with high-spending passengers is the target of the £35,000 Cruise Edinburgh marketing campaign, which is backed by national tourism agency VisitScotland.

The Scottish capital is aiming to increase the estimated 55,000 passengers that dropped by during this year's cruise liner season by targeting Baltic and Norwegian operators.

Peter Lederer, chairman of VisitScotland, explained that "growing tourism is critical to the future of Scotland and the industry is worth £4 billion to the Scottish economy".

More cruise passengers are forecasted as the holiday mode gains popularity, and the city is particularly interested in these passengers because they spend more than the average holidaymaker.

The city appears to be on track to meet its target because a five per cent increase in passenger bookings has already been registered over the past three months.

Written by Chris Smith.

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