Ports & Itineraries

 

Azamara Quest will use docks that can accommodate smaller ships 
The 694-passenger Azamara Quest, which begins sailing in Asia in December was originally going to implement the changes with its 2009-10 Asia season but was able to make them sooner.

In Bangkok, the Quest will dock at Klong Toey Port, located on the Chao Phraya River, typically less than 30 minutes from the city center. Azamara said the Quest will be one of the largest ships to dock at Klong Toey, as other larger ships dock two-and-a-half to three hours away at Laem Chabang Port.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Quest will dock at Saigon Port, approximately three miles from the city center.

The Quest will sail up the Song River, offering scenic views along the way. Larger ships must dock or tender two-and-a-half hours away at the Vung Tau anchorage or dock at Phu My Port, said Azamara.
Martinique Cruise Numbers Increase

 

According to the latest statistics released by the Martinique Promotion Bureau/CMT USA Tuesday, cruise arrivals are up 10.5 percent from January to April from last year. Martinique saw a total of 57,718 cruise passengers during that time frame.

Experienced Caribbean cruise clients are looking for the more exotic the destination, the better, which is good news for emerging islands like Martinique.

Cruise clients are actively seeking out new and exciting experiences off the beaten path. Martinique is simply ideal for the cruise traveler with a ‘been there, done that’ attitude about the Caribbean.

MSC Ship to Begin Caribbean Stint with Short Cruise
MSC Cruises has opened reservations for a two-night inaugural cruise on the MSC Orchestra. The ship will depart from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 2, launching the ship’s first season in the Caribbean. The ship will spend one day in Nassau and return to Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 4.

After the inaugural sailing, the MSC Orchestra will sail alternating seven-night Caribbean cruises through April 25. Eastern Caribbean cruises will call at Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John, Antigua; and Nassau, Bahamas. Western Caribbean cruises will call at Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic.

The 2,550-passenger ship, which debuted last year, is the largest of the line’s ships to sail in North American waters.
Chennai (India) is fast emerging as a premier destination for cruise voyagers

CHENNAI: It might not be on par with St Maarten in the Caribbean or Kings Wharf in Bermuda but Chennai is fast emerging as a premier destination for cruise voyagers and one of the ports of call for elite travellers from the US and Europe.

The one-of-a-kind luxury cruise liner, The World, operated by ResidenSea, was the latest to call at Chennai port. It has 165 well-appointed and privately owned apartments for high-profile voyagers, usually between 55 and 65 years old.

Not only the luxurious Oriana, Artemis and Princess, the medium range Costa too made a halt in Chennai. Come October, Semester at Sea, sponsored by Virginia University, will visit Chennai with around 800 students, mostly from the US. The on-board education cruise ship will stay here for five days. Before calling at Istanbul and Patmos and travelling through the Suez Canal, the ship will call at Chennai, emerging as the leader in cruise tourism on the east coast of India.

Though Goa and Cochin on the west coast attract a large number of cruise liners every year, Chennai has joined the elite league in the last few years. Less than five cruise vessels called at Chennai port till three years ago, but since 2005, the city has lured as many as 16 vessels with more than 7,315 transit passengers. In 2007, nearly 6,500 tourists landed in the city, mostly on a visit of a day or two.

If they are on a day’s visit, tourists drive down the Marina, take a trip to Mamallapuram and Kancheepuram, besides going to Dakshina Chitra, the Bronze Gallery at Egmore museum, the Santhome cathedral and the Mylapore Kapaleeswarar temple, industry sources say. Puducherry also receives some of the visitors, if they are on a two-day trip.

Royal Caribbean will dedicate a ship to the Asia market year-round, starting in fall 2009
The line will use the 2,076-passenger Legend of the Seas, which is starting a seasonal deployment in Asia this fall, cruising from Singapore and Shanghai. The Legend will return to Asia in November 2009 for year-round cruising.

From Nov. 17, 2009, to Jan. 28, 2010, the Legend will offer 17 departures from Singapore. In 2010, the Legend will sail from Singapore; Hong Kong; Shanghai; Yokohama, Japan; and Busan, Korea.

The 2,435-passenger Rhapsody of the Seas, which had previously sailed in Asia, is repositioning to Australia this fall as planned and will also cruise in Australia in the 2009-2010 fall-winter season.

Royal Caribbean International CEO Adam Goldstein, speaking at an event in Singapore, said that the line’s program in Asia on the Rhapsody had been “extremely positive.

Guaymas, Mexico - New terminal slated for completion in September
Mexico’s Port of Guaymas, which is investing $9.5m to build a new dock and cruise terminal, targets completion of the project by September, in time for its first call in mid-October.
The Sea of Cortez port has completed the new cruise dock for ships of up to 1,020 feet (311 meters) and is now dredging the turning basin and the dock position to obtain a depth of 34.5 feet.

Port director general Jose Luis Castro Ibarra said the two-story terminal is well advanced, and work has begun on the green areas and the parking lots for taxis and tour buses.

The terminal, designed in a Santa Fe-style style, will house an international restaurant and 20 shops with offerings such as handicrafts and jewelry.

Holland America Line’s Ryndam is the first ship scheduled to call, on Oct. 16 and Nov. 15. HAL plans additional visits in 2009, and The World of ResidenSea is booked for an overnight stay, May 21-22.

 

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