Cruise season beckons

There are fewer and fewer days left until the big ships will soon be arriving in the harbour, the 2007 summer cruise season is set to get underway this Wednesday, May 9 as the Royal Caribbean Lines Vision of the Seas (seen to the left) makes its first visit to the city.

It will launch the tourist season which it is hoped will see 90,406 cruise ship passengers descend on the city before the end of the season in September. The Prince Rupert Port Authority expects 60 visits this year from the respective cruise lines making a call at the Northland Terminal this season, some with extended stays that offer a chance to explore more of Prince Rupert and the North Coast.

The Daily News previewed the arrival of the Vision of the Seas, and offered up a look at the much anticipated season to come.

All aboard! New cruise season is ready to set sail
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Friday, May 04, 2007

A busy cruise ship season kicks off on Wednesday with the inaugural visit of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines 2,000-passenger ship, the Vision of the Seas.

I think the biggest development for this year is growth over last season in both size of ships, number of visits and number of overall passengers, said Shaun Stevenson, vice president of business development and marketing at the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

As well, the average length of stay will be increased.

The Prince Rupert Port Authority is expecting 90,406 passengers, not including crew members, with some 60 visits from vessels and the average length of stay increasing to eight hours.
Its more than a 75 percent jump in cruise ship passengers and nearly 50 per cent increase in cruise ship calls in 2007 compared to the 2006 season.

Rupertites can expect to see passengers from the Vision of the Seas each Wednesday from 8 a.m. to six p.m. right through until mid September as well as 2,240 passengers from the Norwegian Star each Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This is the first time the Vision of the Seas has been in Prince Rupert and the first time Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has been in Prince Rupert, said Stevenson.

The port will commemorate the inaugural visit by presenting the ships captain with a plaque designed and carved by a Tsimshian artist.

We have been working for a number of years to build a relationship with Royal Caribbean. Its from the same family as Celebrity Cruises. In effect, with their operations this year and a few calls from Celebrity Cruises ships, they really become our biggest customers and we are hoping its going to become a long and lucrative relationship for both parties. Certainly, the long port call we are seeing on Wednesdays will be really positive for the community, he said.

Celebrity Cruises 1,950 passenger Infinity will be stopping in Prince Rupert in May and September.

In addition, a host of larger pocket cruisers such as the Safari Escape and Clipper Odyssey are expected at the Atlin Dock throughout the season.

The 10-hour stop by the Vision of the Seas has given the port the opportunity to arrange some new shore excursion offerings such as rafting on the Skeena River, which is being offered by a new company out of Terrace Skeena Valley Expeditions.

Thats one of the areas where we have opportunity for growth, the adventure programs. In addition, flight-seeing is going to be a bigger part of the offerings, said Stevenson.

With a 10-hour stop, theres plenty of time for passengers to get out and explore Prince Rupert and participate in tours.

Hopefully, they will have a positive experience.