Cruise and Ferry Review - Summer/Spring 2020

2 5 8 Port of New Orleans continues to welcome more cruise ships and offer passengers unique experiences after celebrating another record-breaking year NORTH AMERICA: REPORT Two vacations in one P ort of New Orleans (Port NOLA) hit another all-time high in 2019, handling a record 1.2 million cruise passenger movements during 251 cruise ship calls and retaining its title as the sixth-largest cruise port in the US. The port’s cruise line partners continue to strengthen their commitments to the New Orleans market in 2020 and beyond. Royal Caribbean International, for example, previously sailed seasonally from New Orleans, but began sailing weekly itineraries on a year-round basis from the port on the 2,356-passenger Majesty of the Seas this January and will continue to do so until April 2021. Meanwhile, Disney Cruise Line began homeporting the 2,700-guest Disney Wonder from Port NOLA for the first time this February offering six cruises during the Mardi Gras season. The cruise line will offer additional sailings onboard Disney Wonder from New Orleans in 2021. “Disney’s increased commitment is an outstanding announcement for Port NOLA, and a true testament that New Orleans continues to be a family-friendly destination,” says Brandy Christian, president and CEO of Port NOLA. “Passengers of all ages are sure to enjoy Louisiana’s unique cultural attractions before or after they set sail from ‘The Big Easy’ in 2020 and 2021.” Several cruise lines have also expanded capacity by replacing smaller vessels with larger ones. Carnival Cruise Line’s 2,980-passenger Carnival Glory sails seven-day, year- round itineraries and the 2,974-passenger Carnival Valor offers year-round four- and five-day itineraries. Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line’s 3,963-passenger Norwegian Getaway has sailed seasonally from Port NOLA since November 2019 and will do so until April 2020. Port NOLA’s river cruise market is also growing. A total of 31,306 river cruise passengers passed through the port in 2019 and seven river boats will homeport in New Orleans for 2020. They include American Queen Steamboat Company’s 436-guest American Queen, 166-passenger American Duchess and 247-guest American Countess. Meanwhile, American Cruise Lines’ 150-passenger Queen of the Mississippi and 185-guest America offer inland river cruises from the city. The line also sails the 190-guest American Harmony on Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas now sails weekly itineraries on a year-round basis from Port NOLA