Celebrity Eclipse In front of the Hubbard Glacier Alaska
Celebrity Apex Arriving into Liverpool
Silver Muse Cruising Alaska.
The above images are taken from my 2024 Cruise Ship Calendar, there are 13 high quality images taken by myself in Alaska, Azores, Norway, Scotland and Liverpool, this Calendar is available on an Etsy Site by Crafty Ideas by Dawn-
Crafty Ideas by Dawn are now selling drinkware, tee shirts, and images taken by Myself (Spacejunkie2) I have got sample tops and have worn and washed them and they still look like new, Please support dawns website and it will help support my blogs. Thank You.
The Port of Bilbao has concluded the 2023 season with 80 cruise ships and 148,791 passengers, according to a statement.
The last cruise ship of the year was the Bolette, which docked on November 16.
Most of the tourists have been transit passengers coming from the UK (41%), North America (27%), or Germany (13%). Thirteen cruise ships made their first call at the port in 2023.
“We continue to position the Port of Bilbao and its terminal in Getxo on the route of the major cruise shipping companies, and this is making a significant contribution to the increase in tourism in the Basque Country and, by extension, to boosting our economy,” said Ricardo Barkala, president of the Port Authority of Bilbao. “As a result, we continue to support this activity and to promote the development of the economic fabric of Bizkaia and the Basque Country”.
“In a sector as competitive as the cruise sector, the shipping companies choose Bilbao because of the infrastructure and services it offers, the operability of the terminal, the flexibility and ease with which stopovers can be managed, and the convenience for their passengers,” Barkala added.
In 2019, 50 cruise ships arrived at the Port of Bilbao. In 2020, cruises were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Fourteen calls were made in 2021, and 78 cruise ships arrived at the port in 2022.
The Port Authority has announced the BilbOPS project to deploy shore power technology in several of the port’s docks, including the cruise ship docks. The aim of the initiative is to improve service delivery, and, in turn, contribute to environmental sustainability. The facilities will become operational in the beginning of 2026.
PortMiami welcomed the new Explora I for her maiden call marking the ship’s debut in South Florida on Friday.
“We take immense pride in introducing our remarkable new ship, the Explora I, to the Magic City,” said Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys. “Miami is a paramount destination and important gateway to the Caribbean for ocean travel and it is a privilege to showcase our new ship and immersive journeys to this market. Our team has spared no effort in pushing the limits of innovation and delivering a product that we’re thrilled for guests to experience as they embark in South Florida.”
The maritime tradition of a crest exchange to celebrate a ship’s first visit to a destination took place on November 3, 2023, at PortMiami. The crest exchange was attended by the ship’s master Captain Diego Michelozzi, Michael Ungerer, CEO Explora Journeys, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, and Hydi Webb, PortMiami Director and CEO, among others.
“As the cruise industry continues to rebound and make a strong comeback, we are grateful for our new partnership with Explora Journeys,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Their commitment to providing a world-class experience to passengers and a net zero-carbon emissions target by 2050 is critical to keeping PortMiami on the cutting edge of the cruise industry.” Hydi Webb, PortMiami Director and CEO added, “As we continue to expand our operations and partnerships, we look forward to cruise activity growth with Explora Journeys, which will benefit all of our passengers.”
Following her maiden call, the ship set sail from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico. From November through March, the luxury ship will explore the Caribbean and Central America, calling on ports like Samana/Dominican Republic and Bridgetown/Barbados, with stops in Antigua and Barbuda, Turks and Caicos, Cartagena, Saint Barthélemy and the Grenadines, among others, before heading to the U.S.’ West Coast.
“Journeys aboard the Explora I aim to transport guests to an ‘Ocean State of Mind’ by delivering best-in-class service, exquisite onboard offerings and immersive destination experiences, authentic to the places the ship serves,” commented Ungerer. “A harmonious mix of well-known and hidden gems on the itinerary for the Explora I will provide our guests with opportunities to savor genuine cultural encounters and a more leisurely travel pace, leaving them refreshed and filled with inspiration.”
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