Inaugural Visit Of Rotterdam Kicks Off Haifax Cruise Season
May 9, 2002
Halifax, NS - The Port of Halifax is pleased to welcome Holland America Cruise Line's Rotterdam to kick off the 2002 passenger cruise season on Monday, May 13th. The Rotterdam is making its first ever stop in Halifax and will visit the port seventeen times during the cruise season that runs until October 25.
"We are very happy about the increased presence of Holland America vessels at the Port of Halifax," says HPA CEO Karen Oldfield. "The cruise industry is a very significant economic generator. Cruise passenger spending shore side was approximately $15 million during the 2001 season, averaging $95 per person. We will continue to promote this dynamic area of our business."
Halifax is the number one cruise ship destination in Atlantic Canada and is a flagship port on the Canada/New England cruise itinerary. The largest cruise line companies in the world are regular customers of the Port of Halifax including such industry leaders as Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean International, P&O Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. The 2002 season will see 87 calls with over 160,000 passengers visiting the Port of Halifax from 16 cruise lines.
The Rotterdam is 780 feet long and has a passenger capacity of 1,316. A highlight of the ship is a three deck high atrium that features a large, one-of-a-kind clock tower featuring 14 clocks that represent Holland America's worldwide destinations.
Upon arrival, passengers and crew will be greeted by The Halifax Cruise Welcome Programme, a traditional welcome by uniformed Bagpipers and Drummers from the 78th Highlanders as well as a special greeting from the Town Crier. Upon departure, the passengers and crew receive a farewell sendoff from the pipers. The Welcome Programme provides a great opportunity to create a positive first impression of Halifax while offering a sense of arrival, warmth and hospitality. The program recently won "Best Port Welcome" award during the Miami Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention.
About Halifax Port Authority
The HPA is a government business enterprise mandated by the Federal Minister of Transport. The HPA leads in the development of the Port of Halifax, serving as a catalyst for the local, regional and national economies and has a mandate to be financially viable. The Port of Halifax has a total annual income impact of $670 million dollars and an employment impact of over 9,000 direct and indirect jobs.
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