The Tampa Port Authority (TPA) announced the inaugural call and celebration of Royal Caribbean International's (RCI) Brilliance of the Seas in Tampa, where the cruise ship will home port for the 2013-14 cruise season, at Cruise Terminal 3.
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Port Authority officials, including commissioners Larry Shipp and Patrick Allman, and area tourism partners welcomed the ship, its captain and crew to the Port of Tampa during an onboard reception, held Saturday, Nov. 16. Tampa Port Authority Commissioner Larry Shipp presented a customary commemorative plaque and gift to Captain Stig Nilsen, and they both delivered brief remarks about the significance of Royal Caribbean International’s presence at the port; nine RCI vessels have called Tampa home throughout previous years, underscoring a long and prosperous partnership between the cruise line and Tampa as a home port.
In recent years, Tampa has become a robust cruise home port, and officials expect to reach the million passenger benchmark in the near future. Excellent airlift and strong drive-in market help drive the strong cruise industry in Tampa.
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The Port of Tampa is the largest economic engine in west central Florida, supporting nearly 80,000 jobs and generating almost $15 billion in annual economic impact. In addition to being a top 10 U.S. cruise port, the port handles a wide array of bulk, break bulk, containers and roll-on/roll-off cargoes, and is a major shipbuilding and repair center. The Port of Tampa was recently voted “Simply the Best” for world-class customer service in a Logistics Management Magazine reader poll.
For more information, visit www.tampaport.com.