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Cruise: Baltimore, Galveston, Port Everglades

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Carnival Cruise Lines will resume year-round cruises from the Port of Baltimore in March 2015 with a ship retrofitted with scrubbers designed to reduce fuel exhaust emissions. The Galveston Wharves' Board of Trustees approved a five-year agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. on January 27 that will generate at least $1.86 million in annual operating revenues for the Port of Galveston.  Port Everglades has once again been selected "Best U.S. Homeport" by cruise travel magazine Porthole

Carnival Cruise Lines Returning to Baltimore with Eco-Compliant Ship

Gov. Martin O’Malley on January 30 announced the return of Carnival Cruise Lines to the Port of Baltimore. Following approval in September by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard of Carnival’s plan to reduce ship emissions, the cruise line will resume seven-day, year-round cruises onboard the Carnival Pride ship from Baltimore beginning in March 2015.  The vessel will return to Maryland with new air emission reduction technologies and a host of new dining, bar and entertainment options. 

"We are pleased to welcome Carnival Cruise Lines back to Maryland and the Carnival Pride cruise ship back to the Port of Baltimore," said Gov. O’Malley. "I’m pleased Carnival and the Environmental Protection Agency and Coast Guard have agreed on a plan that will keep family-supporting jobs in Maryland and allow a greener Carnival Pride to return to this thriving cruise market." 

Carnival Pride has been based in Baltimore since it initiated the port’s year-round cruising schedule in 2009. It will remain in Baltimore through October 2014 and then head to Florida where it will be retrofitted with new emission reduction technologies, as well as the new on-board features. The 2,124-passenger ship will reposition to Tampa next winter before returning to Baltimore for a March 29, 2015 cruise.
  
Carnival Pride’s itinerary from Baltimore will again offer the popular destinations of the Caribbean, Bahamas and Central Florida. Upon its return to Baltimore, the Carnival Pride will be equipped with exhaust gas-cleaning scrubbers. The scrubbers are in response to new international Emission Control Area (ECA) regulations that require cruise and cargo vessels to use an ultra-low, sulfur diesel fuel or install equipment, such as scrubbers, to clean the fuel exhaust before it is emitted into the air. 
  
"Baltimore is a convenient mid-Atlantic embarkation point for ‘Fun Ship’ cruising, and we’re pleased to resume these attractive year-round departures that offer our guests an opportunity to visit a variety of beautiful, tropical destinations," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO. "We would like to extend our thanks to officials from the port and the state of Maryland for their outstanding support in our efforts to resume year-round cruising from Baltimore."
 
According to the Maryland Port Administration, 500 jobs are generated by cruise activity in Maryland, including 220 direct jobs at the Port of Baltimore. Additionally, Maryland benefits from $90 million in cruise-connected economic activity, such as local spending, hotels, dining and entertainment.


Carnival Pride, shown berthed at Baltimore’s Maryland Cruise Terminal, will be returning to Baltimore in 2015 retrofitted with diesel exhaust scrubbers.
Photo/Maryland Port Administration


Galveston Port Approves 5-Year Agreement with RCCL, Plans $10-Million Cruise Terminal Upgrade 

The Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves approved a five-year agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. on January 27. This agreement will generate a minimum of $1.86 million in annual operating revenues for the Port of Galveston

The agreement requires improvements to the port's Cruise Terminal No. 2 to accommodate larger vessels and more passengers. Initial plans call for expanding the terminal to 150,000 square feet from 81,000 and tripling seating capacity to about 3,000 at an estimated cost to the port of $10 million.
 
"The port has worked closely with Royal Caribbean to identify the upgrades needed to improve their operations at Cruise Terminal No. 2 for both Voyager class vessels and any larger vessels in the future," said Port Director Mike Mierzwa. "I’m confident that these improvements will be completed by spring 2015 without disruption to current cruise operations." 

Royal Caribbean currently operates Navigator of the Seas year-round from the Port of Galveston. The cruise line has agreed to an additional 30 calls in both 2014 and 2015, committing to a year-round vessel in both years with a promise to bring a larger vessel to Galveston when the Cruise Terminal No. 2 expansion is completed. 

Port Everglades Honored by Porthole Cruise Magazine 

Port Everglades has once again been selected "Best U.S. Homeport" by cruise travel magazine Porthole. This is the second consecutive year Port Everglades has received the "Editor-In-Chief Award," which it also won in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

"With so many amazing options that await cruisers, these awards give kudos to those who go above and beyond in terms of service, quality and memorable moments," said Porthole magazine's Editor-in-Chief Bill Panoff. "Port Everglades is a favorite with Porthole readers and savvy travelers. I've always had a great experience there." 

Porthole’s 2014 Editor-in-Chief Awards are presented to companies in the cruise and travel industry that have gone above and beyond in terms of service, quality and excellence. The awards are featured in the February 2014 issue of Porthole, as well as online at porthole.com and throughout Porthole’s social media sites. 

"We are truly honored that Porthole has again chosen Port Everglades for this prestigious award," said Port Everglades Chief Executive & Port Director Steven Cernak, PPM®. "The $54 million investment to expand and update four cruise terminals and our upcoming renovation project for Cruise Terminal 4 reflects Port Everglades’ commitment to our cruise line partners, cruise guests and the future of the cruise industry."
 
In the spring, the port will begin a $24 million construction project to modernize, reconfigure and expand Cruise Terminal 4 in time to welcome cruise guests for the 2015 season.
 

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