Ports & destinations

Port of Milwaukee welcomes first cruise ship of 2023 season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 07 May 2023 07 May 2023

On Thursday, May 4, Mayor Cavalier Johnson and local leaders welcomed the Viking Octantis, the first cruise ship to visit Port Milwaukee as part of the 2023 season. Mayor Johnson was joined by Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, Port Milwaukee officials, local tourism leaders, and Great Lakes recreational cruise partners.

The Viking Octantis’ arrival in Milwaukee began a 2023 summer season where 31 port calls by various cruise ships are planned, bringing an estimated 12,000 passengers to the city.

Operated by Viking, the Viking Octantis can carry up to 378 passengers on voyages throughout the Great Lakes. This will be the second season where Viking will designate Milwaukee as an embarkation and debarkation port for the company’s Great Lakes itineraries. Viking will also be introducing a second, identical ship, the Viking Polaris, to the Great Lakes in 2023, doubling this cruise line company’s capacity in the region and creating more recreational tourism opportunities in the City of Milwaukee.

Mayor Johnson Speak at Port Press Conference“Milwaukee is a great destination, filled with attractions and hospitality. People from around the globe are taking notice of our city,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “This is a wonderful example of how local and regional partnerships are creating new excitement and activity in Milwaukee. I’m looking forward to more international cruise passengers traveling to America’s Fresh Coast this year, and beyond.”

Following two years of pandemic-related cancellations, Milwaukee’s Great Lakes cruise season returned with significant momentum and success in 2022. An unprecedented number of international passengers and cruise vessels traveled to-or-from Milwaukee last year. Learn more about the 2022 Great Lakes cruise season through Port Milwaukee’s Annual Report.

“Port Milwaukee’s Great Lakes cruise industry has elevated our profile within the community and around the world. More residents are becoming familiar with Port Milwaukee’s work because of this new tourism sector, and we’re excited for more cruise ships and international travelers visiting our city in the years ahead,” said Jackie Q. Carter, Director of Port Milwaukee. “The Port is looking forward to another successful Great Lakes recreational cruise season in 2023.”

Viking will once again utilize the Port’s City Heavy Lift Dock this season as their docking location. The South Shore Cruise Dock, located immediately east of the Lake Express High-Speed Ferry terminal, will serve as the future port-of-call for vessels the size of the Viking Octantis and the Viking Polaris. Construction of South Shore Cruise Dock is expected to begin in 2024.

Port Milwaukee continues working to promote the passenger cruise business in Milwaukee and throughout the Great Lakes. Port Milwaukee is the founder of the Milwaukee Cruise Collaborative, a local group promoting the city as a cruise destination. The Collaborative, which includes a cross section of the local hospitality industry, has planned, promoted and prepared for increased Great Lakes cruise passengers.

Throughout the 2023 season, members of the public are encouraged to stay up-to-date on cruise ship arrivals and departures through Port Milwaukee’s virtual vessel tracker, which is available online here.

Port Milwaukee is an economic entity of City government governed by the seven-member Board of Harbor Commissioners, a panel appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council. It administers operations on the 467 acres that make up the Port. It promotes shipping and commerce throughout the region by providing access to domestic and international ships, rail, and over-the-road transportation.

Disney Cruise Line sails to Hamburg in 2024

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 02 May 2023 02 May 2023

Disney Cruise Line has announced it will sail to Hamburg for the 2024 cruise season. On 3 September 2024, the Disney Dream will celebrate its premiere call at the Port of Hamburg as part of its 7-night voyage to the British Isles. Disney Cruise Line, a leader in family cruising, allows families to see the world with a touch of Disney magic. Onboard the Disney Dream, guests can expect world-class family entertainment, like only Disney can do, Broadway-style musicals, fireworks at sea, encounters with Disney characters, themed dining and fun and relaxation for every member of the family.

“Disney Cruise Line's visit to Hamburg will be an absolute highlight in the coming year, and we will do our best to support the cruise line leading up to the sailing to offer guests an unforgettable travel experience to our city,” said Simone Maraschi, Managing Director of CGH. "The collaboration not only underlines Hamburg's strong commitment to the cruise industry, but also the broad support that Hamburg as a cruise destination offers to the cruise lines,” Maraschi added.

Cruise Gate Hamburg (CGH) leaders recently attended Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the largest international trade fair for the cruise industry, where they met with Disney Cruise Line leaders and other cruise lines to discuss opportunities to sail to the Port of Hamburg. Hamburg had a particularly strong presence on site at Seatrade Cruise Global this year. In addition to CGH leaders, Simone Maraschi and Iris Scheel, in attendance, Jens Meier, CEO of Hamburg Port Authority AöR, Michael Otremba, Managing Director of Hamburg Tourismus GmbH, also travelled to the cruise industry ́s leading annual business-to-business event to jointly promote Hamburg as a destination and its strong performance as a cruise hub.

Managing Director of CGH Simone Maraschi said, "We are very pleased to have secured a visit from Disney Cruise Line, one of the most popular cruise brands, during the Seatrade Cruise Global Conference. This is a big win for CGH and for Hamburg as a tourist destination."

Michael Otremba also welcomes the outcome, adding, "We are delighted that, with excellent teamwork and within the framework of Seatrade Cruise Global, we have succeeded in putting Hamburg on the map with the players in the cruise industry." Cruise Gate Hamburg has been active for years at international trade fairs and conferences in association with other Hamburg stakeholders in order to promote Hamburg as an eventful and sustainable cruise destination in various markets and to position Hamburg more strongly as a brand, especially in the USA.

This September, Hamburg will host two significant global cruise events for one week. The Seatrade Europe will take place from 6 to 8 September, followed by the "Hamburg Cruise Days" from 8 to 10 September, which will put cruise ships in the spotlight on the harbour stage on all three days of the event. The highlight of the event will be the ship parade on the Elbe on Saturday evening, accompanied by music, fireworks and hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Hamburg is also moving forward consistently and swiftly in implementing its vision of being the "No. 1 Sustainable Cruise Hub in Europe." By 2025, all permanent cruise terminals will be equipped with shore power systems. This means that Hamburg is taking on a pioneering role internationally and is already fulfilling the EU's requirement five years earlier, which stipulates in the "Fit for 55" programme that all major ports in the European Union must have a shore power supply by 2030.

Port Canaveral welcomes MSC Seaside for inaugural call

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 28 April 2023 28 April 2023

Port Canaveral’s newest homeported ship, the MSC Seaside has arrived to begin sailing 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas, and 7-night sailings to Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico and Belize. All sailings include stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

"We are excited to welcome the MSC Seaside to Port Canaveral, yet another beautiful ship in the MSC Cruises line up to call Port Canaveral home,” said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. "We are proud of our relationship with MSC Cruises, and delighted to be the homeport for this new vessel class. Our Port is setting the standard for excellence in the industry. We’re committed to delivering a world-class experience for all cruise guests."

In a traditional maritime ceremony, Kevin Markey, Chairman of Canaveral Port Authority and Port officials presented MSC Seaside Capt. Michele Di Mauro with a plaque commemorating the cruise ship's first call to the Port.

"The arrival of the MSC Seaside is another great milestone for Port Canaveral and the Space Coast region, further solidifying our position as the top cruise port in the world," said Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Kevin Markey. "We are committed to continuing our efforts to responsibly grow our Port to promote the economic growth and prosperity of our local community and the state of Florida."

MSC Cruises began year-round service from Port Canaveral in 2021 with the inaugural arrival of the MSC Divina. Recognizing the convenience of easy access for cruise guests and modern terminals and amenities that make it an excellent homeport for the cruise line, MSC Cruises added the MSC Meraviglia to the Port Canaveral rotation for U.S. sailings. MSC Meraviglia, now homeported in New York, returns to Port Canaveral weekly for provisioning calls.

“We built MSC Seaside specifically for Caribbean cruising, with an incredible amount of outdoor space and a sweeping waterfront promenade that allows guests to truly connect with the sea during their time on board,” said Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA. “It’s a privilege for MSC Cruises to play a role in Port Canaveral’s growth with the deployment of yet another large and modern ship in our U.S. fleet. MSC Seaside’s beautiful amenities go hand in hand with our international heritage and the natural beauty and sustainability of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, our private destination in The Bahamas, to represent our unique vision for Caribbean cruising. We’re thrilled to share that experience with guests sailing from Port Canaveral.”

Viking Octantis opens international cruise season in Québec City

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 28 April 2023 28 April 2023

The international cruise season began on April 25 at the Port of Québec with the arrival of Viking Octantis. Port of Québec President and CEO Mario Girard marked the occasion by proudly awarding Captain Jorgen Cardestig the medal honouring the first cruise ship of the year to dock at the Port of Québec. The ship’s visit marks a promising beginning to the Port of Québec’s longest ever cruise season, extending from April 25 to November 5.

During the 2023 season, the Port of Québec expects to receive a total of 124 visits from 41 different cruise ships, including a record-setting 30 boarding and disembarking operations by major cruise lines such as Princess Cruises operating between New York and Québec City.

“We are very pleased to inaugurate this cruise season with the arrival of the Viking Octantis. We are expecting close to a hundred ship stopovers again this year, which confirms that Québec City is a choice destination for cruises on the Saint Lawrence. With industry partners, we have prioritized sustainably developing the cruise industry in harmony with the community. The Port of Québec is bearer for a vast plan for sustainable development and destination management, and also contributes to the Cruise the Saint Lawrence Association Development Plan,” said Mario Girard, President and CEO.

Note that since 2014, the Port of Québec has limited the number of passengers and cruise ships visiting the city. At most 15,000 passengers can make a port stop any given day and a maximum of four ships can be docked at the same time. The various stakeholders involved adopted this practice, groundbreaking for North America, to ensure the best possible experience for cruise passengers and citizens alike.

Toward the sustainable development of the cruise industry

With the resumption of growth in the cruise industry comes the importance of adapting practices to the standards of sustainable development. The Port of Québec is currently evaluating options to electrify its main operating docks. The pandemic pause has finally allowed the industry to take stock and decide to move toward large-scale shore power. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has also made a clear commitment: by 2035, all ships equipped with the technology and calling at ports where shore power is available will plug in. The large-scale electrification of cruise ships arriving along the Saint Lawrence is promising, but government assistance for the Port of Québec and other ports will obviously be necessary. Discussions in this regard are underway. The continuous improvement of practices is a priority, and the Port of Québec will continue to position itself as an energy transition leader, including within the international cruise sector.

The Port of Québec to host the Cruise Symposium

The Port of Québec will host the 23rd Cruise Canada New England Symposium this year from June 19 to 21. This symposium on international cruises is an annual event gathering nearly 200 industry representatives to build business relations and discover the newest trends in cruising.

Québec City, always a top cruise destination

A prized attraction for visitors, Québec City has staked itself as a choice destination for many cruise lines and in the tourism media. This popularity of cruises generates major tourism and economic benefits for the region. At the end of the 2019 season, they were estimated by the Cruise the Saint Lawrence Association at more than $700 million annually for the province, including $106 million for the Québec City region alone.

“The arrival of the first ship at the Port of Québec always causes a certain frenzy in us because it also represents the beginning of the summer tourist season. Cruises are an important component for the Québec City region exposure, and they remain an incredible window to highlight the beauty of the Saint Lawrence River and the city, as many cruise passengers return to visit us after a stopover. With even more boarding and disembarking operations expected this year, the 2023 season promises to generate even greater tourism benefits for the destination. We applaud the work of all cruise industry partners ensuring that the season unfolds smoothly with a balanced approach to managing tourist traffic in the main neighbourhoods and in respect for the residents’ quality of life, as has been our practice since 2014,” said Robert Mercure, General Manager of Destination Québec cité.

Valletta Cruise Port welcomes MSC World Europa on maiden call

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 20 April 2023 20 April 2023

Valletta Cruise Port (Malta) has welcomed MSC World Europa on her first call to Valletta as part of her inaugural 7-night West Mediterranean itinerary.

MSC World Europa is the largest ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet pushing the boundaries of ship building, design and technology to new levels, taking sustainability at sea to higher levels, representing a major step towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The lively tunes of a traditional brass band welcomed guests through Valletta Cruise Port's terminal and onto the Valletta Waterfront. The maritime tradition of a Crest Exchange to celebrate a ship’s first visit to a destination took place on board between the Master of the Vessel Captain Dino Sagani and local authorities. The line also welcomed nearly 200 guests on board MSC World Europa, including Malta’s Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo and other government officials, plus local tour operators and travel agents, to experience MSC Cruises’ ninth vessel to be registered under Malta’s maritime flag.

The 215,863 gross tonne ship can accommodate up to 6,762 passengers and will visit Valletta on weekly calls throughout summer 2023, winter 2023-24 and summer 2024 during 7-night cruises to Italy, Spain and France.

Angelo Capurro, Executive Director, MSC Cruises, said, “Malta has been an integral part of our operation for nearly 25 years, and we have brought hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers to visit this wonderful island. We will continue to bring even more guests to Valletta in the future, and we are very proud that MSC World Europa, an ultramodern metropolis at sea, will be a weekly visitor for at least the next 18 months at her port of registry.”

Stephen Xuereb, COO, Global Ports Holding and CEO, Valletta Cruise Port added “We are proud to be welcoming yet another splendid MSC Cruises’ ship to our scenic Grand Harbour, the MSC World Europa for the first time. Valletta Cruise Port will be hosting her on another 36 calls during this year as part of her inaugural Mediterranean season. Indeed, next year she will call Malta on another 52 occasions, all through the year. MSC Cruises is the key cruise line calling Valletta, and it is our pleasure to continuously collaborate with MSC, a relationship which has, over the years, left an enduring mark on an evolving cruise industry. On behalf of both Global Ports Holding and Valletta Cruise Port we congratulate MSC Cruises on their achievements, and look forward to many more years of fruitful joint cooperation and partnerships.”

Valletta has positioned itself as a significant port on the cruise map through a drive for excellence and close collaboration will all key players. Together with all stakeholders including the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the Malta Tourism Authority, Transport Malta, agents and all service providers, Valletta Cruise Port endeavours in the delivery of an outstanding service leading to the conferment of various awards during its 20 years of operation, following exceptional trade and passenger feedback.

Currently two key infrastructural projects by Infrastructure Malta are in progress on Valletta’s quays which Valletta Cruise Port is actively supporting. The Shore-to-Ship project will continue improving the quality of air in the Maltese Islands, and make the Grand Harbour operations more sustainable. The project will allow ships to switch off their engines and hook up to electrical provisioning through the quays. Furthermore, Infrastructure Malta is working on widening Quays Pinto 4-5 to 16 meters, allowing for the larger cruise ships to berth without the need of spacer barges, making the operation safer and more attractive. This investment will make Malta more competitive, and help both the Islands and the cruise lines to meet the stringent environmental targets that will come into force in the upcoming years.