AAPA Seaports Advisory
 

Cruise: Canaveral, New Orleans, New York City, Saint John

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Port Canaveral Posts Record Cruise Numbers
 
Port Canaveral's cruise operations set a record in FY 2016-17, with 4,520,229 passengers. That was up 4.6 percent from FY 2015-16 and includes both multi-day and single day cruise passengers.  The multi-day passenger count alone increased 7.1 percent to a record 4,234,545. October/September is the port’s fiscal year.
 
Port Canaveral ranks among the world’s three busiest cruise ports. It homeports vessels operated by Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International and is also a popular port-of-call for various cruise lines.
 
"Port Canaveral is proving to be the port of choice for more cruise travelers year after year," said Captain John Murray, the port’s CEO. "Our focus on providing quality service and commitments we have made to improve and expand our infrastructure ensures our cruise partners can deliver an exceptional customer experience at our port, which provides increased jobs and business opportunities in our community."
 
 
 Port Canaveral’s cruise facilities served more than 4.5 million revenue passengers in FY 2016-17. 
Photo/Port Canaveral
 
Carnival Cruise Line to Expand Short Cruise Program from Port of New Orleans in 2019
 
Carnival Cruise Line plans to beef up its New Orleans-based short-cruise program. Carnival Valor will kick off its new year-round schedule of four- and five-day cruises from New Orleans on May 16, 2019. The 2,974-passenger Valor will replace Carnival Triumph, becoming the largest ship to offer year-round short cruise itineraries from the Crescent City port. 
 
The four-day long weekend cruises on Carnival Valor depart Thursdays for Cozumel, the five-day cruises Mondays and Saturdays for Cozumel and Progreso. 
 
"The Port of New Orleans is thrilled to welcome Carnival Valor to the year-round cruise offerings from our vibrant and historical city," said Port CEO Brandy D. Christian. "We value our long-time partnership with Carnival Cruise Line and we look forward to working together to continue to provide new and varied itineraries and a top-notch experience for our guests." 
 
Also in May 2019, Carnival Glory will take over the New Orleans-based year-round, seven-day schedule of Carnival Dream.  The port expects Carnival Valor and Carnival Glory together will carry nearly 400,000 passengers annually from New Orleans. 
 
"New Orleans is one of our most popular homeports and Carnival Valor is a wonderful short option that provides a wide array of exciting dining, beverage, entertainment and activity choices that our guests are sure to enjoy," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
  
 
 Carnival Valor will be sailing short cruise itineraries from the Port of New Orleans beginning in May 2019.
Photo/Carnival Cruise Lines

New York City: $17.2 Million Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Upgrade Planned
 
A multi-million-dollar upgrade is in store for the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, one of two cruise facilities owned and administered by New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). The other is in Manhattan.
 
In May 2017, NYCEDC announced the selection of Ports America to operate both Manhattan and Brooklyn Cruise Terminals through 2029. As part of the new agreement, Ports America has agreed to invest $38.5 million in capital improvements across both terminals.
 
The Brooklyn initiative comes as part of a $17.2 million investment to the cruise terminal, led by Borough President Adams, who made a $1.2 million capital allocation in Fiscal Year 2016 and provided an additional $1 million grant in Fiscal Year 2017. The funds will be dedicated to improvements that increase the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal’s capacity and connectivity. Ports America, will spend $15 million for additional capital improvements.
 
Ports America and NYCEDC will use this funding to construct an apron up to 500 feet/152 meters long, a passenger viaduct, and two new gangways. The new investments will also allow for the design and implementation of a multifunctional, high-capacity wireless network at the terminal to improve the passenger experience and operating efficiency.
 
In 2016, the Brooklyn and Manhattan cruise terminals togethers received 128 ship calls and more than a million passengers, generating millions of dollars in economic impact. New York’s cruise industry is also an important piece of South Brooklyn’s industrial sector, and accounts for over 1,000 full-time jobs through the International Longshoremen’s Association, the Port Police and Guard Union, and employees in the accommodations, retail, and food and beverage sectors.
 
"New York City’s cruise industry is a critical piece of South Brooklyn’s economy and the City’s efforts to build a vibrant working waterfront," said NYCEDC President James Patchett. "We’re grateful to Borough President Adams and Ports America for this important funding, which will allow us to expand the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal’s role as an economic engine for the community."
 
Port Saint John Experienced 3% Increase in Cruise Activity in 2017

The 2017 cruise season ended positively at Port Saint John, with cruise visitors – passengers and crew members – increasing 3.0 percent, to 208,818 from 202,929 in 2016. In detail, the cruise passenger count increased to 147,736 from
143,926, cruise ship arrivals to 64 from 63, and crew member visits to 61,082 from 59,003.
 
Other 2017 highlights:
  • 12 double cruise ship days and 5 triple cruise ship days in September and October
  • Inaugural calls by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Vision of the Seas and TUI’s Mein Schiff 6
  • First service by Germany-based TUI Cruises
  • 2 calls by Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic
  • 4 calls by Anthem of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever to visit Port Saint John
Earlier in 2017, Port Saint John released updated economic impact figures for the cruise sector in New Brunswick which show total annual impact from the cruise industry in New Brunswick rose from C$41.5 million per year to C$49.9 million per year, an increase of 20 percent. The figures come from a study released last spring on the economic impact of the cruise industry in Canada.
 
The total impact included direct spending by cruise lines, passengers, and crew in New Brunswick of C$21.5 million, 298 direct jobs in the province, and C$12.5 million in personal income.

 

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