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Cruise: Seattle, Tampa

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Port of Seattle Signs 15-Year Lease with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

The Port of Seattle signed a 15-year lease on August 11 with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH), corporate parent of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The deal secures NCLH ships in Seattle for the full term of the lease and provides passenger volume guarantees estimated to bring $73 million dollars of revenue to the port.

"Alaska is a favorite cruise destination for guests on all three of our brands and Seattle, with its incredible culinary offerings, luxurious accommodations and outstanding attractions, makes for an ideal homeport," said NCLH CEO Frank Del Rio. "With primary use of the world-class facilities at Pier 66, we can further customize our guests’ pre- and post-cruise experience and better align it with the superior service levels offered by our three award-winning brands."
 
Pursuant to the lease agreement, NCLH will make tenant improvements to the Bell Street Cruise Terminal estimated at $30 million that will significantly expand the portion of the P66 facilities used for processing cruise passengers. The company will manage the cruise operations at P66 and receive priority rights to the cruise vessel berth during the cruise season. The port will operate the facilities outside the cruise season. The capital investment to complete the terminal improvements will be shared between the port and NCLH. 

The port estimates the 15-year business commitment will generate more than $2 billion in total business revenue for the region, nearly 900 jobs, and more than $65 million in state and local taxes.

The agreement also includes language that will establish a project labor agreement between the tenant’s general contractor and the building trades.

"We commend the Port of Seattle for their expansion of Project Labor Agreements." said Monty Anderson of the Seattle Building Trades. "This not only insures quality construction, this expansion opens the door for local residents to join apprenticeship programs that lead into great paying construction careers." 

According to the port, Seattle’s cruise business generates more than 3,600 jobs, $441 million in annual business revenue, and $17.2 million annually in state and local tax revenues. Each homeport vessel call generates $2.5 million for the local economy. In 2014, the port received 179 cruise ship calls and 870,977 revenue passengers.

Port Tampa Bay to be Cruise Homeport for Norwegian Jade Beginning November 2016

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade will be homeported in Tampa for the 2016-2017 fall/winter cruise season, replacing the Norwegian Star. The 2,402-passenger ship will sail a seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary departing on Sundays for Cozumel and Costa Maya (Mexico), Roatán (Bay Islands, Honduras), and Harvest Caye (Belize). In addition, Norwegian Jade will offer two eight-day Western Caribbean holiday sailings in December 2016, calling Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatán, Harvest Caye, and Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala).

For the first time from Tampa, Norwegian will be offering sailings long than a week from Tampa two 10-day and two 11-day Eastern Caribbean cruises on Norwegian Jade. The 10-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary departs January 15 and March 19 for Key West, Tortola (British Virgin Islands); St. John’s (Antigua), Philipsburg (St. Maarten), and San Juan (Puerto Rico). The 11-day itineraries depart Tampa January 25 and March 29 for Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Cozumel, George Town (Grand Cayman), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), St. Thomas or Tortola, and San Juan.

"We are proud to bring Norwegian Jade, one of our spectacular Jewel-class ships, to the Port Tampa Bay" said NCL President Andy Stuart. "We have strong demand from our guests to sail from Tampa, and are excited to offer a variety of itineraries next fall, including new 10- and 11-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, as well as Western Caribbean sailings that visit our brand new destination, Harvest Caye in Belize."

The 93,558 gross ton Norwegian Jade was delivered in 2006, is 965 feet long, and can accommodate up to 2,402 passengers and nearly 1,100 crew members. 
Photo/Norwegian Cruise Line.
 

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