Cruise: Curaçao, Galveston, Halifax

Curaçao: New Mega Pier Receives First Cruise Ship

Adventure of the Seas on November 13 became the first ship to moor at the Curaçao Ports Authority’s new mega pier, Tula, just months after the groundbreaking last February. An official grand opening is planned for early next year.

With the pier now able to receive cruise ships scheduled for the 2017/18 season, the ports authority says it will proceed with the logistics and beautification of the surroundings. This includes additional dolphins which will make it possible to moor the largest cruise vessels at the pier. Curaçao currently receives about 600,000 cruises visitors annually, pumping millions of dollars annually into the island’s economy.

With the addition of the second mega pier, the ports authority is aiming to accommodate approximately 1 million passengers yearly and to increase average tourist spending from US$75 to $100 each, resulting in a yearly direct contribution by the cruise industry of $100 million.

The piers are key components of the port authority’s Rif Seaport Curaçao development. Named for an area guarded by a 19th century fort, Rif Seaport Curaçao is designed to provide a fun and memorable experience for cruise visitors from arrival to departure.

The CPA is working on plans that include not only the surroundings of the Tula pier, but also a baseball stadium and public swimming pool facilities.

Curaçao’s two mega cruise piers
Photo/Curaçao Ports Authority

Vision of The Seas Begins Regular Sailings from Galveston

Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas began its home port seasonal sailing itinerary from the Port of Galveston with a 5-day Western Caribbean cruise on Monday, November 6.

Delivered in 1998 and most recently refurbished in 2015, Vision of the Seas is 915 feet/279-meters long and can accommodate upward to 2,435 passengers. The port expects it will carry an average 2,150 passengers per cruise.

At Galveston, it joins an even larger homeported Royal Caribbean vessel, the 1,112-foot/339-meter, 3,634-passenger capacity Liberty of the Seas.

"We are thrilled to welcome Royal Caribbean International’s ship, Vision of the Seas to its new seasonal homeport in Galveston," said Peter Simons, the port’ s interim port director. "The presence of Vision of the Seas will be good for the Island and the Port since it strengthens Royal Caribbean’s commitment to Galveston and the Texas and Midwestern U.S. cruise market"

Royal Caribbean International has scheduled thirty-five 4 and 5-day cruises from Galveston during the 2017/2018 winter season. Ports of call, include Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya and the Yucatán, depending on the cruise. The port estimates the new cruises will draw 80,000 passengers annually.

Vision of the Seas berthed at her new Galveston homeport
Photo/Port of Galveston

Port of Halifax Experiences Record-Breaking Cruise Season for 2017

Halifax this year welcomed 292,722 passengers and 173 ship calls, giving the port its busiest cruise season ever. Compared to 2016, the passenger count increased by 23 percent and ship calls by 27 percent. The cruise season here typically runs from mid-April through October.

"It was an incredible year for cruise in Halifax," said Catherine McGrail, PPM®, interim vice president operations at the Halifax Port Authority. "Nova Scotia is a great place to visit. People love coming here, and we work hard with our partners to keep them coming back. The tourism operators and service providers deserve full recognition for the tremendous season, and we are looking forward to working with them again next year."

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