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The port of Cork, Ireland is enlarging Terminal to accommodate mega ships
The Port of Cork Co. is undertaking a further upgrade of its Cobh Cruise Terminal in preparation for calls next year by Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas, the largest vessel to operate regularly in Northern Europe.

Later this year work will be carried out on an extension of the berth slot, in rock, at the Cobh Cruise Terminal by 45 metres to a total slot length of 385 metres. Consequently, Cork will become the only major cruise port on the island of Ireland capable of handling 158,000gt Freedom-class ships at any stage of the tide.

This year’s cruise season kicked off on Saturday with a visit from Celebrity Cruises’ Constellation, opening a busy eight-day period that will see five calls by four mega-ships bringing 13,000 passengers. Other visitors during this time are Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dream and Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas.

Altogether, 40 calls are booked in 2007, two more than last year. Passenger count will balloon by 10,000 for a more than 30% increase, to 45,000.

An independent economic impact study undertaken by the Centre for Policy Studies, University College Cork, found that the regional economic contribution of Cork’s cruise business in 2004 -- when the port handled 36 calls and 33,500 passengers -- amounted to €28m and supported 204 full-time equivalent jobs. This year, direct and indirect expenditure is estimated at €35m.

MSC Cruises outlines it's 2008/09 plans
With two new ships and an expanded variety of itineraries, 2008-09 will be a landmark period for MSC Cruises.

Joining the fleet are MSC Poesia in spring next year and MSC Fantasia in late 2008. Poesia is the sister to MSC Orchestra and Musica, while the 133,500gt Fantasia will be the line’s first post-Panamax vessel. Starting a year from now, Poesia will cruise from Venice on seven-night Eastern Mediterranean routes, while Fantasia will operate alternating Canary Islands and Egypt itineraries.

For the first time, MSC Orchestra (which enters service in two weeks) will operate in the Caribbean, joining MSC Lirica in Fort Lauderdale for the 2008-09 season. Starting in early 2009, Orchestra will offer alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean routes. Lirica will continue its 10-night ‘Deep Caribbean and Panama’ itineraries.

All of MSC Cruises’ 10 vessels will be in the Mediterranean at some point next year, with itineraries ranging from weekend get-aways to 11-night cruises with departures from Venice, Genoa, Barcelona and Civitavecchia.

Three ships – MSC Lirica, Opera and Armonia – will sail in Northern Europe on cruises of seven to 11 nights to the Norwegian Fjords, Baltic capitals and the North Cape.

Three ships will also be deployed in South America. MSC Opera will sail three- to eight-night itineraries from Santos, Sinfonia will operate eight- and nine-night routes from Buenos Aires, and Armonia will depart from Rio de Janeiro on four- to nine-night voyages.

MSC Melody will sail in South Africa.

The United Kingdom's potential as a cruise destination
The opinion of delegates at the Seatrade Cruise Forum recently held in Poole, Dorset, UK was that while record numbers of British are choosing cruising as a holiday option, the region has not yet fully realized its potential as a cruise destination. Some 392,000 passengers visited a UK port on transit calls in 2006 compared with 320,000 the previous year (this is up 92% from 2002). However, comparing the 30m land-based tourists that the UK attracts showed cruise tourism representing just 1% of the total.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd’s, John Tercek, (vp commercial and business development), mentioned  that the UK ports of Southampton, Dover and Harwich are primarily used as bases for Med and North European itineraries for the 5 ships they will have in the area this year. A new offering from  Celebrity this year is a 10-night British Isles and Western Europe itinerary roundtrip from Rotterdam on Century with calls in Le Havre, St Peter Port, Cork, Dublin, Belfast and Holyhead.

Darius Mehta, director of land programs for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, said, ‘Often the ship is the refuge however this is not the case in the UK as there is so much to offer ashore in a safe and friendly environment.’

Peter Pate, chairman of MSC Cruises in the UK, said his brand will be ramping up its UK presence next summer with 1,554-passenger MSC Armonia based out of Dover throughout the summer.

Simon Douwes, director of deployment and itinerary planning at Holland America Line, noted HAL ships will make 21 calls in the British Isles in 2007. He reported the best selling European cruise this year is a 14-day ‘Celtic Kingdoms’ cruise roundtrip from Amsterdam on Prinsendam which calls in Leith, Peterhead, Lerwick, Dunvegan in Scotland, Belfast, Douglas, Liverpool, Dublin, Waterford, Milford Haven, St Peter Port and Dover, with "Edinburgh being our highest rated European destination."
 
Worldwide has frequently advised our clients that this is the way to visit Europe and to enjoy everything the UK has to offer.  With the exchange rate making Europe and the UK extremely expensive in US Dollar terms.. purchasing your cruise and shore excursions in the USA and paying for them in US Dollars means cruisers have only to worry about "pocket money" when they go ashore.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises 'Paul Gauguin' Celebrates a Record Breaking 10 years of Service in Tahiti.  Announces record Breaking Development for 2008.

Anniversary of South Seas Legend Paul Gauguin Marks Longest Continuous Deployment of a Luxury Cruise Ship in One Region

More than 100 years ago, famed French impressionist Paul Gauguin was so beguiled by the lush, secluded islands of Tahiti that he chose to live out his days amid the splendor of this island paradise. It is here too where another South Seas legend, Regent Seven Seas Cruises' 330-guest luxury vessel Paul Gauguin®, makes her home year-round, herself earning a spot in the history books for the longest continuous deployment of any luxury cruise ship in one region. Now having carried more than 100,000 guests to these enchanted islands, Paul Gauguin enters her eleventh year of uninterrupted service in the region and celebrates her continued ranking among the top 10 small cruise ships in the world.* Looking toward the future, there seems only one suitable way to announce her 2008 cruise program - following are the "Top 10" highlights for the Paul Gauguin's 2008 voyages:

#1 Paul Gauguin's intimate size, tasteful elegance and all oceanview accommodations (more than 50% with private balconies) make her voyages the ideal way to visit and explore the islands of Tahiti. Her nimble size offers guests the opportunity to explore lesser visited islands, all while enjoying exquisite onboard amenities including fine dining and the Carita of Paris spa. A selection of 43 voyages in 2008 includes itineraries from seven to 11 nights calling on the Society and Tuamotu Islands, and longer voyages exploring the Marquesas, Cook and Austral Islands. In response to increased demand from guests, Regent Seven Seas' 2008 program features a greater number of shorter, seven-night cruises than in recent years.

#2 Guests aboard the Paul Gauguin may extend their vacation in paradise through any one of seven pre- and post-cruise land programs in Tahiti in 2008. In addition to the established programs offered on the island of Tahiti (at the InterContinental Resort and the Radisson Plaza Resort), Bora Bora (at the InterContinental Le Moana Resort and Thalasso Spa Resort), and Moorea (InterContinental Resort and Spa), two new properties will be offered: Le Taha'a Private Island and Spa, offering unsurpassed views of Bora Bora island and secluded beaches; and the Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa, a traditional Polynesian-style resort. Special extensions are also offered to Australia and New Zealand in conjunction with select departures.

#3 Through an exclusive partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau and his conservation organization Ocean Futures Society, young guests and their parents may participate in "Ambassadors of the Environment" Circles of Interest aboard 12 sailings in 2008. Promoting ocean responsibility, the program engages guests with fun activities to educate them about marine and island ecosystems and traditional Polynesian culture both on board and ashore. The cost per young guest is $199. Adults are also encouraged to participate in related shore excursions (charged at the published rates for those specific tours). Select sailings in 2008 also feature onboard lecture programs with naturalists from the Ocean Futures Society, while Jean-Michel Cousteau himself will sail aboard the 14-night Cook, Austral, Tuamotu and Society Islands voyage (departing September 27, 2008).

#4 Paul Gauguin offers the most unique and diverse selection of shore programs in the region, ranging from a jeep exploration of Huahine and up-close look at blue-eyed eels to underwater snorkeling eco-tours to a vanilla plantation and black pearl farm visit in Taha'a.

#5 Each one of Regent's 2008 Tahiti cruises features a call to the island of Bora Bora, voted among the world's five best island destinations by readers of both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines in 2006 (Pacific Rim category), and Moorea, also among the highest-rated destinations in the South Pacific.

#6 Insider access and exclusive opportunities are the hallmark of any Regent voyage. Guests aboard many of Paul Gauguin's 2008 voyages will have the opportunity to luxuriate on Regent's own "motu" or private islet, Motu Mahana, and enjoy a delicious al fresco feast. Paul Gauguin guests also enjoy exclusive access to a private beach in Bora Bora and other special arrangements.

#7 Guests aboard the 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotu and Society Islands cruise (departing round-trip from Papeete on January 5, 2008) will travel in the company of Regent President Mark Conroy, as part of a special "President's Cruise" featuring special onboard events.

#8 Regent's Paul Gauguin features one of the world's only PADI-certified diving programs on a cruise ship, with optional onboard SCUBA lessons and certification as well as complimentary watersports from the vessel's own retractable marina. Optional SCUBA excursions are offered for beginner and seasoned divers alike, exploring coral reef ecosystems during the day or even at night.

#9 In addition to her natural beauty, what truly distinguishes Tahiti is her people, whose culture, hospitality and beauty are renowned the world over. A memorable element of any Paul Gauguin voyage is the opportunity to interact with local peoples, through onboard programs with local lecturers, traditional music and dance by onboard entertainers Les Gauguines as well as other local entertainers, small-group shore programs and Polynesian theme nights in onboard restaurant La Veranda. Through her tenure in the region, the Paul Gauguin herself has become an icon of the region.

#10 Tahiti is one of the most romantic destinations on earth, and how better to celebrate a honeymoon, vow renewal ceremony or special anniversary than on the beautiful, intimate Paul Gauguin in this magical destination? The complimentary honeymoon package offered by Regent Seven Seas is highlighted by an authentic Polynesian blessing ceremony on the open deck, where each couple is wrapped in a traditional Tahitian cloth administered by the ship's own Gauguines.

Paul Gauguin's 2008 voyages offer unforgettable experiences at a tremendous value. Per person prices for 2008 cruises start from $2,195 for seven-night roundtrip cruises of the Society Islands from Papeete, Tahiti. Cruise fares include all shipboard gratuities; complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits served throughout the ship; complimentary 24-hour room service; refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, beer and bottled water replenished daily; and an in-suite bar setup in butler suites. Many sailings also offer a ‘third guest sails free' option, available in select staterooms.

Indian Ocean Cruises takes bookings for it's 2nd Season

Indian Ocean Cruises has started taking bookings on the Ocean Odyssey for its second season, from October 2007 to April 2008. The Ship carries no more than 200 passengers at a time and sails expedition cruises on six, eight and 14-night voyages around the southwest coast of India, including exclusive access to the Lakshadweep archipelago in the Indian Ocean.

The two-week roundtrip Goa cruise includes stops in Mangalore, Suheli (Lakshadweep Islands), Cochin, Colombo (Sri Lanka), Trivandrum, Cheriyam (Lakshadweep Islands) and Mormugoa, transferring to Goa airport. A six-night trip ending in Cochin, or an eight-night sailing starting in Cochin, are also available.

Uwe Schwarze, global sales and marketing director, said, ‘We're very much looking forward to the start of the second season. The cruises will suit passengers who are looking for an informal and flexible adventure that will allow unscheduled activities such as whale watching, or enjoying an impromptu barbeque of freshly caught fish.’

IOC is the only cruise line granted access to the virtually uninhabited Lakshadweep Islands. On Suheli and Cheriyam passengers on the two-week cruise can spend two days in each, arriving by zodiacs. A special agreement with the Indian government calls for the islands to be left pristine at the end of every visit.

On-board facilities include free yoga lessons. One dining option is traditionally cooked Indian food using locally sourced produce from the various ports of call.

Mexico's Tourism figures rise despite passport concerns
Mexico’s international tourism revenues and arrivals, including cruise passenger numbers, were up in the first quarter of this year, allaying fears that the new passport requirement for travelers returning to the United States would hurt tourism south of the border.

According to Mexico’s Tourism Secretariat, international tourism revenues during January, February and March reached US$3.7bn, a 14.6% increase compared with results posted for the same period in 2006. The 3.6m international tourism arrivals during the period were an increase of 8.3% compared with first quarter 2006 results and 1.2% compared with Q1 2005 figures.

The number of international visitors via cruise ships increased 78,000 from first quarter 2006 to Q1 2007, showing that the country has more than recovered from the damage suffered by Cozumel -- Mexico’s and the Caribbean’s busiest cruise port -- by Hurricane Wilma in late 2005. Revenues also increased nearly 20% from first quarter 2006 to first quarter 2007, to US$173.8m.

Although the Mexican government expressed fears last year over the possible effects on tourism of the U.S. passport requirement, the numbers show U.S. travel actually rose 15% in the recent quarter over Q1 2006

 

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