Another Successful Cruise Season Ends for the Port of Halifax: 2003 Declared a Record Year
October 27, 2003
Halifax, NS - Oct. 27, 2003 - Tomorrow, the Port of Halifax will mark the end of the most successful cruise season yet. The season officially ends with the call of the last scheduled ship the Regal Princess. The 2003 season saw 104 ships call to the Port, introducing near 175,000 passengers to Halifax.
The number of cruise ships visiting the city annually has doubled since 1998. Repeat calls to the Port are also on the rise. In total, 16 preeminent cruise lines have repeated visits to Halifax, each calling several times throughout the 2003 season.
"With each passing year, Halifax's reputation as a marquee port of call strengthens and cruise traffic steadily increases. We are pleased that 2003 has proved to be banner year for the Port.", says Patricia McDermott, Vice President, Marketing, Halifax Port Authority. "Maintaining that success will require continued responsiveness to our customers' needs. We are committed to delivering quality service by working with many partners in the tourism and local business community."
A major enhancement of the cruise passenger facility in 2003 doubled the size of the Cruise Pavilion to 48,000 square feet. The Port also invested in strengthened bollards and a new fendering system to accommodate some of the world's largest cruise ships starting in 2004. Over the past 10 years, the Port has invested $4.2 million into cruise infrastructure.
The Halifax Port Authority also became a Pioneer Sponsor of Theodore Too Tugboat during this cruise season. The Port established a three year sponsorship agreement with Murphy's on the Water, which includes Theodore Too escorting cruise ships into the harbour as part of the Cruise Welcome Program. Most recently, Theodore Too greeted the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) on the ship's last transatlantic call to Halifax. The tugboat is scheduled to welcome the QE2's replacement, the Queen Mary 2 (QM2), for its inaugural call to the Port on Sept. 25, 2004.
Hurricane winds brought ships to and diverted ships away from Halifax this season. Seven unscheduled vessels called the Port, bringing an additional 8,000 passengers to the city. The ships were diverted to Halifax due to Hurricane Isabel which affected the southeastern seaboard and the Caribbean. Hurricane Juan's damage to HRM caused four ships to call other ports in the two days following the hurricane.
Continued growth is forecasted for the cruise business in Halifax. A recent Cruise Growth Study predicts a steady climb in passenger counts in the years to come. The Halifax Port Authority estimates that the Port of Halifax will handle 100 plus cruise calls in 2004.
For more information, please contact:
Michele PeverilManager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Halifax Port Authority
Telephone: (902) 426-1060
Cell: (902) 229-3236
