Ports & Itineraries

 

Malaga Passenger Terminal Inauguration

Sunday, 23rd of December saw the inauguration of the first phase of the new Malaga Passenger Terminal and its new South berth. 

With the Mediterranean cruise industry booming and the shipping lines focusing on the Mediterranean, North of Europe and European Atlantic coasts Malaga is set to become an even more important port of call. The first major port located close to the entrance of the Mediterranean Sea that is able to accommodate the ships of the size of the modern cruise ships, plus having the facilities and places of interest for passenger port calls, should make Malaga a popular destination port as well as an increasingly important home port for cruises in the south and western Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast.

The South berth is an important element in the operation of the new Terminal. The new berth was completed at a cost of 11,2 million euros and is capable of handling ships with a draft of up to 12 meters.

The construction of the first phase of the new Passenger Terminal which cost 15,7 million euros, was awarded to NECSO company by public tender in November of 2005. The architects, José Manuel Barrio Losada and Miguel Valverde completed the project which was based on an earlier project of Bermello, Ajamil and Partners, who are renowned specialists in this kind of structure.

During 2007, a total of 238 cruises called at the port, a 27% increase when compared to last year. 

The Port of Málaga has become an important home port with the number of ships turning around at the port more than doubling. By November, 10,563 tourists started or finished their cruise in the city, while in 2006, a total of 4,113 tourists did so.

 

Star Flyer arrived at its new homeport of Papeete, Tahiti, Wednesday, Dec. 26, after a 20-day Pacific crossing. On Dec. 30 the ship will begin sailing year-round seven-, 10- and 11-night round-trip Papeete cruises.

The ship was welcomed by local dignitaries and ushered into the port with a pierside performance by traditional Tahiti musicians and dancers.

The eight ports of call that compose the destination-intense itineraries take the ship to the Society and Tuamotus Islands. Along the way, sunset departures, cruising in crystalline lagoons and opportunities to dive and snorkel in some of the most spectacular sites in the world enhance every itinerary. And shore excursions are designed to introduce guests to the fascinating culture and history of the Polynesian people.

Star Flyer sails a seven-night, round-trip Papeete itinerary that calls at Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora, and Cook Bay and Opunohu Bay, Moorea, with an overnight in Papeete before disembarkation.

The 10-night round-trip Papeete cruise takes Star Flyer to the Society Islands and Tuamotu Atolls, with special cruising in the Rangiroa Lagoon. The ship calls at Fakarava, Rangiroa, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Taha'a, Huahine and Moorea. The 11-night voyage adds an overnight call at Huahine.

Tobago Invests Over $17 Million to Bolster Up Cruise Industry
The Tobago House of Assembly has announced the opening of the Scarborough Jetty in Tobago. The Scarborough Jetty expansion project will facilitate larger cruise ships and encourage more cruise lines to include Tobago on their itinerary.

The Jetty can now accommodate cruise ships up to the Voyager class that holds up to 3,114 passengers and measures 320 meters long by nine and a half meters in depth.

“Tobago is now a platinum member of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association. The Scarborough Jetty will give the island every chance to grow and prosper within the cruise industry as the lines continue to expand their fleet and seek new and unique destinations,” said Neil Wilson, Tobago House of Assembly Tourism Secretary.

Cruisers laying over in Tobago can dive into the deep on scuba and snorkel excursions. From the experienced to the novice, divers can venture beneath the crystal waters of Tobago’s coast in Pigeon Point or Englishman’s Bay to catch glimpses of barracudas, dolphins, whale sharks, parrotfish and queen.
Voyager of the Seas arrives in Galveston for its first winter season in Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas and the next biggest thing in the Lone Star State is Royal Caribbean International's Voyager of the Seas. The largest cruise ship ever to be based in the Gulf Coast and to sail from the Port of Galveston, Voyager will sail seven-night itineraries visiting the Caribbean, South America and Mexico calling on Cozumel, Costa Maya and Yucatan, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman through April 2008.

"Voyager's arrival also marks the first time a Voyager-class ship has been deployed in Texas," said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. "We are excited to offer more Texans the opportunity to experience our signature style of cruising right from their backyard."

At a ceremony held onboard Voyager of the Seas, special guests, including local dignitaries, travel agents and media gathered to celebrate the arrival of the ship which was adorned with gigantic longhorns, 140 feet long and weighing 600 pounds. Following the ceremony, Royal Caribbean kicked off a week-long charity auction on eBay with proceeds benefiting the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, which helps seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. The highest bidder will win the longhorns and a seven-night cruise for two.

"In 2006, we welcomed 617,000 cruise travelers, making Galveston the Gulf Coast's most popular cruise port. With the arrival of Voyager of the Seas, the port will undergo a $3.3 million upgrade to accommodate a 50 percent increase in Royal Caribbean guests," said Steven M. Cernak, port director, Port of Galveston. "Hosting the most innovative ship in the Gulf will have a significant economic impact, adding to the success of 2006 when we saw $1.1 billion in direct spending, resulting in 19,341 jobs created and $907 million generated in new income in the state of Texas as a result of the cruise industry."

When she debuted in 1999, Voyager of the Seas introduced cruise-industry innovations such as an ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall and the 308-feet- long Royal Promenade, a shopping, dining and entertainment boulevard.

Mexico's Puerto Costa Maya’s rebuild ahead of schedule

Puerto Costa Maya’s rebuilding plans are ahead of schedule with reconstruction of berthing positions one and two about 58% complete. They calculate both positions will be ready to receive cruise passengers by summer 2008 although exact dates are not yet finalized.

Rather than offer tendering at an earlier date, the port owners are focusing their efforts on the port’s reconstruction and recovery.

Work on the third berth is also progressing but will be finished at a later date.

The port was badly damaged by a direct hit from Hurricane Dean last August. In September, following an evaluation of the damage, port officials said it would take 12 months for rebuilding.

The port is now negotiating with cruise line planners about returning to Costa Maya and final dates should be confirmed next month.

 
 

 

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