Seven Month Long Cruise Season Kicks Off May 15th with Arrival of MS Maasdam
May 14, 2009 - Tomorrow marks the start of the annual cruise season at the Port of Halifax, with the arrival of ms Maasdam, a Holland America Line vessel. Its arrival marks a cruise season that will span through to November 5th.
“Eighteen cruise lines will call the Port of Halifax during the next 7 months making for a busy cruise season featuring long-standing cruise lines and two new lines calling our Port this year” says Cathy McGrail, Manager, Cruise Development, Halifax Port Authority.
Holland America has been calling Halifax since 1991, when they made two calls and brought 1,941 passengers to Halifax. This year, Holland America Line will make 22 calls and bring more than 30,000 visitors to Halifax on three of their vessels, ms Rotterdam, ms Eurodam and ms Maasdam.
“Every year, our guests and crew look forward to visiting Halifax. It is a marquee destination for Holland America Line and offers plenty of diverse activities for our guests, and the people here have always made us feel welcome. We look forward to another great season in Halifax,” says Richard D. Meadows, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Guest Programs, Holland American Line.
- Other highlights and milestones of the 2009 cruise season include:
· Between 215,000–220,000 cruise passengers are expected to visit Halifax aboard 120 vessels.
· Five new vessels and two new cruise lines will call in 2009.
· The second largest ship ever built by the Cunard Line, the Queen Victoria, will make its inaugural visit to Halifax.
· Record single-day in October, when it is expected that Halifax will welcome more than 10,000 cruise passengers in port on one day.
· The Port of Halifax will welcome its 2 millionth passenger this summer.
· Pavilion 22 Shops & Services at the Halifax Seaport will continue to operate on cruise ship days to the public and cruise passengers one half hour before the vessel docks until one half hour after the departure.
In 2009, the cruise industry will continue to be a strong performer, and the direct impact is expected to exceed $50 million from passenger, crew and cruise line expenditures.
Details of the 2009 schedule are available as part of the launch of a new website aimed at improving the visitor experience to the Halifax area. The site (www.cruisehalifax.ca) will allow cruise visitors to plan their visit and give a sense of the experiences Halifax has to offer.
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Contact:
Michele Peveril
Manager, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs
Halifax Port Authority
Phone: 426-1060
Email: mpeveril@portofhalifax.ca
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