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European River Cruises a hot number with cruisers

As the numbers for the European river cruising keep marking good results, Hamburg will become the centre for the international cruise, ferry and river cruise industries in September when Seatrade Europe - Cruise, Ferry and River Cruise Convention will take place at CCH-Congress Center Hamburg.

Thanks to Europe`s broad, scenic and cultural waterway system it is clear to see why this Continent has become so popular as a river cruise destination. Not to be out done by Europe, river voyages in other regions are also becoming more popular, including Nile trips in Egypt, Yangtse voyages in China or river cruising on Russian waterways between Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Number of river cruise passengers on the rise Germany is the most popular destination for river cruising. While the number of German passengers decreased slightly in 2006, the number of foreign guests grew - especially the number of passengers from the USA and UK. As a result tour operators sensed a slightly over-all rise in passenger figures. “The mood in the river cruise industry is still good”, confirms Jens Huhse, President of the Association of the leading European River Cruise Companies, IG RiverCruise.

As for new ships river cruise companies are more cautious: Huhse explains, that new safety regulations for new ships, which are in operation on European waterways, caused some confusion. “The companies are a little bit uncertain, because the member states of the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine interpret the new building regulations in different ways. Additionally the costs for new ships increased by up to 30 percent due to the new regulations.”

German Port to Expand Cruise Facilities in Coming Years
In anticipation of a significant increase in cruise ships and passengers, the Hamburg Cruise Center in northern Germany will expand from two to three berths by 2009 and will open a new cruise terminal in 2011.

In 2006, as many as 56 ships visited Hamburg, more than double the 27 ships that visited the year prior. This year, the Hamburg Cruise Center will have 89 cruise ship calls, bringing 140.000 passengers, and by 2010 the Center said it is expecting 140 calls and 300,000 cruise passengers.

The cruise port will get a 14,000-square-foot terminal that will house a premium hotel, said a Hamburg Cruise Center spokesperson, and two berths that will be able to accommodate the largest cruise ships, with one for smaller vessels.

A temporary version of what the Hamburg Cruise Center opened in 2004, and was expanded in 2006 to accommodate the increase in traffic, the port said.

Royal Caribbean Returns To Australia For More Spectacular Adventures Down Under In Winter 2008-09

Cruise Line Dedicates Rhapsody of the Seas to Region and Expands Season

MIAMI, September 13, 2007 - Royal Caribbean International today announced 14 Australia cruises and two transpacific voyages aboard Rhapsody of the Seas for winter 2008-09. Ranging from seven to 15 nights, vacationers will have more sailings from which to choose a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation to the continent made famous by its awe-inspiring, rugged landscapes; unique wildlife; and diverse and welcoming people.

"Vacationers have a greater breadth of choices for Royal Caribbean adventures to the great land 'Down Under' in 2008-09," said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. "Rhapsody's deployment to the region for the entire season will help meet travelers' demand for our innovative ships and unique style of cruising to more destinations around the world."

Five roundtrip voyages from Sydney to the Coral Sea will take Rhapsody's guests to New Caledonia, Vanuatu Islands, and Society Islands. A 13-night itinerary, departing October 19, 2008, includes calls at Noumea, Poum, and the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia; Luganville and Vila, Vanuatu; and Ouvea (Wadrilla) and Lifou in the Loyalty Islands. A shorter 10-night itinerary, departing November 1, 22 and December 13, includes calls in New Caledonia and at Vila, while an 11-night sailing on April 2, 2009, includes Luganville.

Rhapsody also will offer two Barrier Reef adventures on November 11 and December 2, 2008. On the 11-night roundtrip voyages from Sydney, guests will cruise by Willis Island and call at Cairns (Yorkey's Knob), Port Douglas, Cooktown, Brisbane, and Hamilton Island (among the Whitsunday Islands) in Australia.

Additionally, a seven-night Tasmania voyage on January 6, 2009, will sail roundtrip from Sydney, and take guests to Burnie, Port Arthur and Hobart in Tasmania; and Melbourne.

Vacationers also can choose among four roundtrip sailings from Sydney for an exciting 14night New Zealand adventure. Rhapsody of the Seas will visit at Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, as well as cruise through Dusky, Doubtful and Milford sounds in Fjordland National Park. On voyages departing December 23, 2008, and January 27, 2009, guests will also visit Napier, while those on the January 13 and February 10 sailings will enjoy a scenic cruise past volcanic White Island.

Travelers with the luxury of time can combine two spectacular sailings for a 35-night "Down Under" exploration cruise to the four corners of the Australian continent. On the 17-night voyage, sailing on February 24 from Sydney, guests cruise the Coral Sea to Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, and sail to cities along the northern Australian coast to Perth (Fremantle). On the following 18-night voyage, sailing on March 13 from Perth to Sydney, guests call at cities on the southern Australian coast and the Island of Tasmania, and cruise the Tasman Sea to New Zealand and its beautiful fjordlands.

Vacationers also can choose one of two sailings on Rhapsody's eastward transpacific crossing. The 16-night sailing on April 13 from Sydney to Honolulu will take guests across the International Date Line to call at ports in the Society Islands of the Pacific and Maui. The following 10-night sailing, departing April 28, will spend five days among the Hawaiian Islands before continuing on to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Royal Caribbean Cruisetours

Guests on Rhapsody's Australia voyages also can extend their vacation with a cruisetour. Cruisetours offer vacationers the best of both worlds by combining a cruise with an escorted adventure on land by an Aussie or Kiwi expert. Royal Caribbean Cruisetours includes hotel-stays, transfers, most meals, and scheduled tours and activities. On mostsailings, guests can choose a five-night pre-cruise cruisetour to explore the capital city of Sydney; learn about the aboriginal Liru at Ayers Rock; visit Port Douglas in Tropical North Queensland, the best place to see crocodiles and native wildlife; and venture out to the Great Barrier Reef.


On sailings departing November 11 and December 2, 2008, and February 24, 2009, guests can choose a six-night pre-cruise New Zealand cruisetour. Vacationers will arrive at Auckland, New Zealand, and experience a slice of Kiwi life as they visit a sheep farm; taste some of the world's most exclusive vintages at a Rotorua winery; cruise through the breathtaking fjords of Milford Sound; and fly to Australia to uncover the excitement of Sydney before boarding Rhapsody.
Liverpool’s new berth welcomes first vessels
Regent’s Seven Seas Voyager became the first ship alongside Liverpool’s new cruise berth yesterday and has been followed today by Peter Deilmann’s Deutschland making an overnight call in the Mersey.

Officials declared themselves satisfied with all aspects of the inaugural call. Seven Seas Voyager Captain Dag Dvergstein said: ‘Few cities in the world have arrival points in the heart of the city, You think of Sydney, Manhattan, Venice and now Liverpool. This is going to make a big difference for Liverpool and the cruise industry.’

Liverpool cruise manager Angie Redhead said: ‘Everyone pulled out all the stops to get it right and it has worked really well.’

QE2 returns to Liverpool on September 21 to mark the official opening of the new berth located in front of Cunard’s former headquarters at Liverpool Pier Head, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Puerto Costa Maya to reopen in 1 year
Costa Maya, badly damaged by a direct hit from Hurricane Dean last month, plans to resume berthing operations by September 2008. After a thorough evaluation of the damage from Dean, Costa Maya officials said they have determined that 12 months are necessary for rebuilding.

It is possible ships might be able to return sooner to land passengers via tender. Government officials from the state of Quintana Roo are scheduled to visit Miami next week to meet with cruise executives to present a case for the feasibility of bringing vessels back sooner than a year from now.

Meanwhile, Costa Maya has been working with government agencies to secure the necessary permits to immediately begin the reconstruction process.

Starting Monday, the first phase of reconstruction and cleanup of the port facilities and pier will begin with the goal of returning ship berthing positions one and two to full operational mode one year from now. Reconstruction of the port’s third berthing position will follow with expected completion by early 2009.

Clean-up of the nearby fishing village of Majahual has begun and, as earlier reported here, federal and state funding is supporting recovery in the region.

 

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