Valletta Cruise Port signs UNWTO global code of ethics for tourism

Valletta Cruise Port in Malta, which is part of the Istanbul based Global Ports holding group, has signed the UNWTO Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. This Code is a frame of reference for responsible and sustainable tourism development as endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001.

Together with another five Maltese companies, Valletta Cruise Port was welcomed as signatory to this Code. By adhering to the Code, signatories commit to implementing and promoting its principles in their business strategies and operations. The Code’s 10 principles cover the economic, social, cultural and environmental components of tourism. To date, 514 companies and associations from 68 countries have joined this commitment.

“This represents a strong and effective pledge by Valletta Cruise Port to follow a comprehensive set of principles designed to guide key players in tourism development. The code aims to help maximise the sector’s benefits while mitigating any potentially negative impacts on the environment, cultural heritage and communities,” said commented Stephen Xuereb, CEO of Valletta Cruise Port and COO of Global Ports Holding.

“At Valletta Cruise Port, we understand that the cruise industry and port activity impacts the local communities in various ways. Valletta Cruise Port, also through the Valletta Waterfront destination, is committed to carrying out its activities responsibly, with the aim of leaving a positive impact on the local community,” he continued.

 Furthermore, Valletta Cruise Port is actively involved in the community, and supports a number of honourable causes particularly those with a humanitarian and social impact, in the areas of art and culture, and the environment,” Xuereb concluded.

Pacific Princess starts cruise season in Dundee

Capital Cruising, who run several UK cruise terminals, including Dundee, Edinburgh and London, this weekend welcomed the Pacific Princess to mark the start of the busiest cruise season on record in Dundee in Scotland.

The elegant and newly refurbished Pacific Princess cruise ship called into the port with 670 passengers onboard as part of an 18-day ‘Fire and Ice Explorer’ Cruise which sails around the UK before going to Iceland to enjoy the midnight sun.

The passenger cruise sector in Dundee is seeing strong growth and the port will see cruise liner visits increase from 10 in 2016 to a planned 14 this year, with further growth expected upon the opening of the V&A Museum of Design in 2018. Passengers can now board a ship at Dundee and cruise to destinations such as Iceland, the Baltics and the Fjords as well as the Scottish islands. Cruise operators and passengers alike are seeing the exciting things that are happening in the city at the moment.

Capital Cruising’s Head of Cruise, Robert Mason said: “Dundee is growing in popularity both as a port to cruise from and also for cruise vessels to call into for a day of sightseeing. 2017 will be Dundee’s busiest year to date with 14 ships being welcomed into the port including the Pacific Princess at the weekend.”

Capital Cruising, which is part of the Forth Ports group, has invested significantly in its cruise business which welcomes liners into both the River Tay and the River Forth at its ports in Dundee, Leith and Rosyth and also anchorage points in South Queensferry and Newhaven bringing around 150,000 passengers and 122 cruise ship calls over the course of the 2017 season. Forth Ports also operates the London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury, with its unrivalled connections to the UK’s capital city.

 

 

Sandra Diane Bratland to become Bergen’s cruise marketing manager

From September 1, Sandra Diane Bratland, currently director of Cruise Norway, will take on the role of cruise marketing manager at Port of Bergen.Sandra Diana Bratland started her career in tourism working both as shore excursions agent and as ships agent for cruise ships visiting Norway.

With around 20 years of operational experience from the cruise industry as an incoming agent, her background is mainly from developing, producing and operating shore excursions in all of Norways cruise ports.

The last 5 years with European Cruise Service Sandra held the position of Director of Shore Excursions, and as of January 1st 2014, she became Managing Director of Cruise Norway. Working with Norways around 40 cruise ports for a lifetime has given her extensive knowledge of the ports and land products, as well as valuable insight in how the cruise industry works. 

“I am thrilled to assume the position of Marketing Manager Cruise with Port of Bergen. Bergen is Norways largest cruise port, and also my home town, and I look very much forward to be working closely together with the cruise lines and local stakeholders to ensure that Bergen is the number one port of choice also in the future. A cruise ship call to Bergen shall be the highlight of the cruise and a positive experience for the guests, cruise lines and locals alike.”

 

Bantry Bay Port Company welcomes first cruise ship to Bantry Bay

Holland America Line's Prinsendam made her maiden call to Bantry Bay Harbour today on what was to be the first visit of a cruise liner to Bantry in almost 30 years. Carrying over 800 passengers, Prinsendam arrived in the early hours of the morning and will stay until evening ensuring their passengers get every opportunity to explore the region.

Speaking about the arrival of Prinsendam to Bantry, Bantry Bay Port Company Harbour Master Captain Paul O’Regan said: ‘We are very encouraged by Holland American Lines commitment to call to Bantry. This is an exciting time for the whole of West Cork as we aim to grow this cruise business considerably over the next few years."

He continued: ‘We have the experience and professionalism within the Port of Cork of what needs to be achieved to grow the cruise business here, and Bantry Bay Port Company is fully committed. The unique selling point with Bantry is to attract the smaller boutique cruises or expedition cruises which can access smaller ports and harbour, meaning their passengers can benefit from a richer experience onshore."

In August 2017 Bantry Bay Port Company will officially open the new inner harbour development which has seen an investment of €9.5 million over the last year. This facility will greatly enhance the marine tourism activity in the area and will also aid in accommodating future cruise calls.

First cruise ship berths at Lerwick's new pier

Lerwick Harbour's latest facilities for cruise ships have welcomed their first vessel, with Viking Star berthing at the recently-named Mair’s Pier today, Monday, 12 June.

She arrived from Svolvaer, northern Norway, with around 900 passengers on board and tied up at the £16.5 million multi-purpose pier, completed in late 2016. The outside arm of the pier is being used initially by cruise ships up to 230 metres in length. A number of Viking Cruise ships will be among vessels scheduled to berth at the pier this season.

Viking Star passengers are the first to use a new meet-and-greet station and information point, commissioned by Lerwick Port Authority and accommodating the harbour’s welcoming team. The mobile unit will also be used elsewhere in the port which expects 75 vessels and a 21% increase in passengers to a record of almost 62,000 this season.

Victor Sandison, Senior Commercial Executive, Lerwick Port Authority, said: “The additional berthing and improved visitor arrival experience are part of our ongoing programme to attract and service the cruise industry which makes an important contribution to the Shetland economy.”

Almost 90 vessels are already booked for 2018, bringing around 93,000 passengers – both records.