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.
Belfast just closed its record 2023 cruise season with the arrival of Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s Borealis on Friday, October 20.
During the 2023 cruise season, Belfast welcomed a total of 158 calls, according to Cruise Belfast. This marks an 8 percent increase compared to the pre-pandemic record set in 2019.
The cruise season saw 57 ships from 32 different cruise lines dock in the port, carrying 320,000 passengers and crew. Among them were 14 ships that made their maiden calls to Belfast.
In addition, this year also marked the arrival of the 2 millionth cruise visitor to Belfast Harbour since 1996 when the first cruise ship arrived in Belfast. The milestone passenger arrived onboard the Norwegian Dawn in May this year.
Due to increased passenger numbers, Cruise Belfast estimates that over £20m was injected into the local economy through passenger spending.
Michael Robinson, port director of Belfast Harbour said: “After a couple of disrupted years due to the pandemic it’s clear that cruise tourism in Belfast is now in very good health. We continue to receive a lot of positive feedback from passengers, crew and cruise line management on the quality of Northern Ireland’s tourism offering and the service the industry provides.
“Bookings for the 2024 cruise season are currently strong, with similar levels to this year’s record season, which is great news for the city and the industry. We look forward to another busy year welcoming visitors from around the world.”
Gerry Lennon, chief executive at Visit Belfast added: “Belfast as a gateway city to Northern Ireland, now takes its place among Europe’s most vibrant and captivating destinations, for leisure, business and cruise visitors.
“With the continued investment in the city’s infrastructure and iconic world-class attractions such as Titanic Belfast. Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Titanic Distillery and Belfast’s cultural programming for 2024, we will ensure we have a range of new and exciting giant experiences to attract the growing cruise market. Cruise Tourism is a vital element of our tourism portfolio, and its impact is significant contributing to the visitor economy and bringing great vibrancy to the city region.”
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