Arrival Of Cruise Ships Could Boost Tourism Figures In Maine

BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — The arrival of the first large cruise ship in two-and-a-half years in Maine is another signal that tourism is getting closer to pre-pandemic normalcy.

Last year, more than 15.6 million visitors came to Maine in 2021, a third more than made the trip the year before, at the start of the pandemic, officials said.

But there were no large cruise ships until the arrival of the Norwegian Pearl in the waters off Bar Harbor. The ship dropped anchor in Frenchman Bay, and visitors were ferried to shore on tenders.

“It’s exciting to see these ships and their passengers coming back to Maine,” said Sarah Flink, executive director of CruiseMaine.

Cruise ships could restore some visitation. The number of visitors last year remained about a million below 2019, before the pandemic. Cruise ships made 409 port calls and brought 450,000 passengers in 2019.

One positive sign from the 2021 tourism numbers is that spending soared. Spending grew 63.7% from 2020 and 20.3% from 2019.

The Canada And New England 2016 Cruise Season Begins

 
Photo courtesy of Port of Halifax



 The Canada and New England cruise season for 2016 began over the weekend as Holland America Line’s Veendam arrived in Halifax on April 30 according to Seatrade Cruise News. This year, the Atlantic Canada Cruise Association (ACCA) expects around 611,000 guests, up from 550,651 in 2015.
Nora Fever, chair of ACCA is quoted as saying, “The cruise sector in Atlantic Canada continues to be strong. We are delighted to be welcoming so many passengers during a season that stretches from late April to early November.”

READ MORE: Travel Agents Reveal Current Cruise Trends

The Veendam continued on to Sydney on May 1 and was in Charlottetown yesterday, May 2. Other ships on the schedule this year include the return of the Disney Cruise Line with the Disney Magic and inaugural calls from Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway and Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas. Plus, Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Star will head to the region for the first time later in September.
Also, additional ports will see traffic this year with Summerside, PEI, for instance, receiving cruise calls for its first time. Overall, ACCA anticipates that cruise visitors will account for $41 million in direct spending and the local industry, including cruise line spending, as a whole will amount to $81.6 million in 2016.

READ MORE: Alaska Cruise Season Kicks Off from Vancouver and Seattle

Since it's not a year-round destination like Alaska, Canada/New England is a relatively niche region that certainly benefits seasonally as new ships come online and get bigger with greater visitor capacities. In fact, the aforementioned Anthem of the Seas can accommodate over 4,180 passengers, while the Explorer of the Seas – the largest ship ever to visit Alaska, (going for the first time this year) – has a somewhat smaller guest complement of 4,029.


By  Jason Leppert |, www.travelpulse.com

Uncommon Journeys Announces Autumn Holiday to Atlantic Canada & New England Onboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2

 

 Uncommon Journeys, the nation’s leader in luxury train and cruise travel, is pleased to present guests with the rare opportunity to enjoy a one-time autumn voyage to Atlantic Canada and New England onboard the world’s grandest and most opulent ocean liner, Cunard’s RMS Queen Mary 2.

This 16-day journey runs September 26 through October 11 and begins with a first-class overnight stay in New York City at the storied Waldorf Astoria on Park Avenue. Guests start their extravagant holiday with a special sailing day brunch at the famed 21 Club before departing out of New York’s stunning harbor. While onboard, guests will be treated to an abundance of exquisite amenities and activities including the majestic Britannia Restaurant, the resplendent Royal Court Theatre, the swank Commodore Club, the only planetarium afloat, and the two deck-high Queen’s Room adorned with chandeliers. A special trip highlight includes an unforgettable evening in Quebec City with dinner at the awe-inspiring Château Frontenac Hotel overlooking the St. Lawrence River. This unique Uncommon Journeys itinerary also offers a “One Call Does it All” arrangement, with a professional tour manager arranging guest’s entire trip from start to finish including preferred routing, hotel stay and cabin choice onboard the Queen Mary 2, in addition to complimentary or low-cost round-trip train travel to and from New York City and guest’s hometown.

“The exquisite Queen Mary 2 combines a fabled 170-year heritage of seagoing excellence with all the superb amenities one would enjoy in a modern five-star resort,” shares Uncommon Journeys President Kevin Tam. “This iconic autumn cruise provides guests with the best in luxury accommodations, delicious dining and one-of-a-kind onboard activities, all paired with an attentive, expert staff available for guest’s every need.”

Below are the highlights of Uncommon Journeys’ 16-day “2015 Canada and New England with the Queen” itinerary:

2015 Canada and New England with the Queen:

·         Fares beginning at $3,695 per person, based on double occupancy

·         Overnight stay at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City

·         Special brunch at the famed 21 Club in New York City on sailing day

·         Canada & New England cruise onboard the RMS Queen Mary 2 sailing round-trip from New York City, including all meals and entertainment onboard

·         Grand evening in Quebec City including dinner at the Château Frontenac Hotel overlooking the St. Lawrence River

·         Complimentary round-trip travel to and from New York City and guest’s hometown from any Amtrak city east of Chicago/New Orleans. Those living west of Chicago may take advantage of low add-on fares that range between $99 and $199 round-trip.

All Uncommon Journeys itineraries feature a professional tour manager to handle all details from hotel reservations to sightseeing opportunities.  For reservations and more information about Uncommon Journeys’ 2015 schedule please visitwww.uncommonjourneys.com or call 1-800-323-5893.

About Uncommon Journeys

Founded in 1990, Oakland-based Uncommon Journeys is the leader in the cruise and rail travel niche, offering innovative travel programs at a superb value. The company is best known for having operated three renowned private luxury rail carriages throughout the United States. The Houston, Los Angeles, and City of Angels were regarded as among the finest in North America and were fabled for their service and dining. To this day, Uncommon Journeys still features more programs by private train in the USA than any other operator, offering the splendid Great Western Limited private train service to the Great National Parks of the West. With renowned American chef Regina Charboneau overseeing dining aboard the special trains, guests enjoy a mode and style of travel that has all but vanished.