Embarking from the Port of Halifax - Passengers line up to board cruise vessel
June 17, 2005
The Port of Halifax saw more than 450 students and professors, representing 180 colleges and universities mostly from the United States, line up at Pier 20 to embark the MV Explorer, a fully functional university campus aboard a cruise vessel.
"With $23 million in cruise passenger spending expected this season, attracting vessels that embark passengers from our Port is an added bonus to the economic impact the cruise business already provides," says Cathy McGrail, Manager Marketing Services and Cruise, Halifax Port Authority. "Before embarking the cruise vessel, passengers may stay in our hotels, visit our local attractions and eat in our restaurants. In addition, bus lines provide transportation from the airport and hotels creating added economic benefit."
Upon arrival, the MV Explorer already had more than 250 passengers and crew onboard. While the vessel was in Port for two days, many of these passengers and crew disembarked, spending an average of $107 and $90 respectively.
After leaving the Port of Halifax, the vessel goes on an educational journey to Iceland, Norway, Russia, Poland, Belgium, Ireland and Spain, returning to Florida on August 21st.
An inaugural presentation was made to Captain Antonios Kritikos on June 16th, during the 7th Annual Canada New England Cruise Symposium, an international industry event attracting over 130 delegates to our region.
The MV Explorer serves as a fully functional university campus that includes that includes nine classrooms, a library, a computer lab with internet access, a student union, a campus store, two dining rooms, swimming pool, and a fitness center. The MV Explorer is a 24,300-ton motor vessel with a length of 590 feet, beam of 84 feet and a draft of 24 feet. Built in 2002 by Blohm & Voss shipbuilders in Germany, it is billed as the fastest passenger ship afloat today with a cruising speed of 28 knots.
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The Halifax Port Authority is a government business enterprise mandated by the Federal Ministry 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 almost $700 million and an employment impact of over 9,000 direct and indirect jobs.
For more information:
Michele PeverilManager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Halifax Port Authority
Telephone: 902.426.1060
Cell: 902.229.3236
E-mail: mpeveril@portofhalifax.ca
