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Carnival Corp. & plc finalized an
agreement with the government of St. Maarten and the Port of St.
Maarten to provide funding to support the construction of a new
two-berth cruise ship pier on the island. The new docking facility,
combined with the island's existing four-berth pier, will make St.
Maarten one of the largest cruise ports in the Caribbean, with six
dedicated cruise berths. "St. Maarten is truly a preeminent island
destination in the Caribbean," said Howard Frank, Carnival Corp.
vice chairman. "Further enhancing the island's cruise ship
facilities is a winning proposition for everyone with the end result
being greater economic benefit for St. Maarten and an expanded
number of consumers introduced to the exceptional beauty and charm
of this superb location." Under the agreement, Carnival Corp. has provided financing of $34.5 million for construction of a new pier and has guaranteed a certain number of passengers to the island. The new pier will be able to accommodate two post-Panamax cruise ships. Carnival will receive preferential berthing rights at the new facility for the 20-year period of the agreement. Eight of Carnival Corp.'s 10 cruise brands, including three of its European brands, will call on St. Maarten. Construction on the new pier is scheduled to begin in December and completed by 2009. |
 Tuesday
morning, Costa Maya, Mexico's fastest-growing
tourist destination and cruise port, was hit by
Hurricane Dean after the Category 5 hurricane made
landfall at 3:30 am. According to Cesar Lizarraga,
Costa Maya's director of sales and marketing,
approximately 50 percent of the port's
infrastructure, including the cruise ship pier, has
been damaged by the storm. An early estimate
indicates the port will remain closed for six to
eight months while clean up and construction crews
work quickly and efficiently to bring the port back
to full operational mode. Revitalizing the port and
surrounding areas represents a multi-million dollar
investment. Costa Maya officials are currently
meeting with cruise lines with previously scheduled
port calls to reevaluate schedules. Costa Maya hopes
to see a speedy recovery and have cruise ships
calling back to the port as early as mid 2008. For
more information |
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Belize suffers little damage from Hurricane Dean |
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When Hurricane Dean
made landfall in southern Mexico early on Tuesday
morning the southern edge of the category 5
hurricane passed through Belize's northern region,
bringing heavy rains, local flooding and large waves
along the coast. The government of Belize is
currently assessing the full effects of the
hurricane. With the exception of the Northern
Corozal district, early estimates and initial hotel
reports indicate very minimal damage in San Pedro
and Caye Caulker. There was no damage sustained in
Belize City, western and southern Belize. Hotels and
businesses in these areas are open and operational.
Belize was placed on hurricane watch Monday by
Belize's National Emergency Organization as the
storm weaved westward through the Caribbean. In
responding to the forecast, the Belize government
took the necessary precautions to ensure the safety
of its visitors and citizens. As a result of the
high level of preparedness, residents and tourists
were able to effectively respond to the threats
caused by the hurricane. For latest status report go
to -
Belize |
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Jamaican Government approves
new Falmouth port to handle next
generation of mega ships
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The Port Authority of Jamaica has won government
approval to build a Genesis-class cruise facility at Falmouth,
midway between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. The port’s new finger pier
is designed to handle a pair of 220,000gt Genesis-class vessels, the
industry’s next generation size ship. The Port Authority of Jamaica estimates the waterside infrastructure investment will cost it in excess of $100m, according to William Tatham, vp cruise shipping and marina operations. The pier is set to become operational in August 2009 and will be open to all lines. Falmouth is a historic town that in centuries past served as a thriving gateway for the export of sugar and rum. It boasts what is believed to be the Caribbean’s largest collection of intact Georgian buildings. The cruise terminal and shops will be ‘completely themed on the Georgian architecture,’ Tatham said, adding that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a potential investor in the landside facilities. The historic area surrounding the port will be rehabilitated, and horse carriage rides and other attractions are anticipated. Royal Caribbean had shown an interest in investing in Jamaica, originally considering the bauxite pier at Ocho Rios, Tatham said. That pier is not controlled by the port authority. Also, weighing the impact of port congestion on the visitor experience and the need to grow the business in a manageable way, ‘We felt the timing was right to be looking elsewhere,’ Tatham told Seatrade Insider, adding, ‘We will also invest in enhancements in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.’ Tatham sees the development of Falmouth as giving ‘a kick start in revitalizing the industry’s view of Jamaica. A new port will bring a renewed interest in Jamaica as a whole,’ he predicted. |
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Plymouth (England) to build £1m pontoon |
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Plymouth Council in the UK’s
southwest has granted a £1m contract to build a new landing stage on
the Barbican. Local Councillor Glenn Jordan said: ‘The plan is to
attract more cruise ships.’ This year Plymouth will have three
calls: Silver Shadow, AIDAvita and Jewel of the Seas.
Plans drawn up 18 months ago involve the provision of an all-purpose, accessible landing stage connected to Commercial Wharf, together with enhancements to the wharf itself. Once constructed, the stage will serve existing tour ferries and allow for the future expansion of water transport in the city. According to Bob Harrison, director of cruise operations at Destination South West, the pontoon should be operational by end of 2008, ready for the start of the 2009 cruise season. |
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Valletta's (Malta) frantic Fridays |
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Valletta is expecting 41 cruise calls this month from 16
different ships. Friday the 17th August provides a particularly difficult
challenge for the Maltese port when five ships visited the island, the
Costa Concordia, MSC Sinfonia, Grand Mistral, Jules Verne and Westerdam, with
around 8,000 passengers anticipated. Fridays throughout
this summer are the busiest day of the week with three ships using the port for
partial turnarounds: Costa Concordia, MSC Sinfonia and Pullmantur’s Sky Wonder.
RCCL’s 312mtr long Voyager of the Seas made its maiden call to Valletta in
mid-July and is a weekly caller until the end of this month. |