Travel Agent was on the scene at Cruise Shipping Miami in Miami Beach last week. Here’s a look at a potpourri of news and feature items from the show.
New Name and Venue: Cruise Shipping Miami is now owned by UBM, which will change the conference name back to the Seatrade branding, calling it Seatrade Global. In addition, given the renovations planned during the next few years at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the conference will shift for a few years to the Broward County Convention Center at Port Everglades, FL, until work at the Miami Beach facility are completed.
New French Cruise Terminal: A new cruise terminal will open in at Toulon-La Syne, France, this year. Among cruise lines calling at the new facility are. Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, TUI Cruises and Viking Cruises.
The Mayflower to Sail in 2020: Both Dartmouth and Plymouth in southwestern England will participate in 2020 Mayflower celebrations, commemorating the Pilgrims’ voyage to America in 1620. The $3.7 million project will include construction of a life-sized Mayflower replica, a three-masted ship that will also sail across the Atlantic Ocean to the U.S. Visit www.destinationssouthwest.co.uk
Higher Numbers, New Tool: The Martinique Tourism Authority reports that 2014 cruise passenger arrivals were up 71.3 percent when compared to the same period in 2013. Attractions in Fort-de-France are also easier to find, thanks to new self-guided audio tour maps available for rent through the Fort-de-France Tourism Office at the northwest corner of Savane Park. The new interactive maps come with an audio pen and travelers can choose English, French, Spanish or Italian. Cost is 3 euros for every two-hour period and a deposit of 20 euros or a credit card is required. Visit www.us.martinique.org
New Culinary Options: Oceania Cruises will expand its culinary curriculum with 20 new Culinary Center classes, including a two-day culinary immersion program focusing on the life and legacy of Chef Jacques Pepin. The line also will add to its Gourmet Explorer Series that showcases international cooking styles. www.oceaniacruises.com
Record Number of Ships: In 2014, Klaipeda, Lithuania, had 64 cruise calls in 2014, a record number. More than 57,500 cruisers visited. This year, the port is expecting 50 calls and 55,000 cruise visitors. Visit www.portofklaipeda.it
Editors and Reporters to Speak: As part of its Insights program, Cunard Line will partner with the New York Times for journalist speakers. They’ll appear starting with Queen Mary 2’s departure on January 3. Guests also will hear from the newspaper’s senior editors, reporters and columnists on all eastbound transatlantic crossings in 2016. Separately, on the June 3 crossing of Queen Mary 2, actress Jane Seymour will sail and do two Q&A sessions with guests and host a screening of one of her films. Visit www.cunard.com
Smart Terminal at Port Canaveral: Smart technology is at work in Port Canaveral's new Cruise Terminal 1, or CT1. Barcode readers at the parking garage entrance can read a guest’s reservation print-out or smart-phone display. Guests reserve a parking space in advance online, if they so choose, and prepay. If not, they can pay with a credit card upon arrival. Guests then place bags on a bag-handling conveyor system inside the parking garage. Bags can be tracked by GPS throughout the process. If guests opt to check-in online, they can use electronic queuing systems and attendants with tablets will assist.
Sizable Traffic Increase at Guernsey: Cruise Guernsey in the Channel Islands says the destination has posted an 87 percent cruise traffic increase between 2012 and 2015. In 2015, the port expects ships to make 116 port calls. The new Anthem of the Seas is among them.
Amber Cove To Open: Amber Cove, Carnival Corporation’s new $85 million destination on the north coast of the Dominican Republic is scheduled to open on October 6. Ships of six Carnival brands will call here. Interestingly, the geography is such that it would be a viable option on any potential future Cuban cruise itinerary.
Another Lisbon Terminal to Open: Three cruise facilities debuted in Lisbon last year and another new terminal will open by 2016.
Friends of the Earth Signatures: This environmental group delivered more than 100,000 signature to Arnold Donald, Carnival Corp’s chairman, asking for the line to update its wastewater treatment practices. The group said Donald accepted the signatures and expressed interest in a dialogue with the environmental group. When asked for comment, Carnival Corp. spokesman Roger Frizzell said: "The cruise industry is in a far better position than other industries with green initiatives, so it would be a positive step forward if they would recognize our commitment to being an environmental leader."
Cruiseable Launches: Cruiseable has launched both a mobile app for iPad and Cruiseable.com, a Web site designed to make it easier to find and book a cruise. Cruises are booked directly, not through a third party, and consumers can talk to a CLIA-certified cruise advisor. Visit www.cruiseable.com