Launch of the 2007 Cruise Season
April 25, 2007
Halifax, NS – April 25, 2007 marked the start of the cruise season at the Port of Halifax. The April 25th–October 30th season is expected to bring 170,000-180,000 tourists to Nova Scotia aboard 94 vessels. Direct spending by cruise ship passengers visiting Halifax equates to over $20 million during the cruise season.
The first day of the season brings in the MS Albatros, a cruise ship chartered by a well-established German company, Phoenix Reisen. They operate two classic cruise liners that provide a German cruise experience. The ship’s capacity is 1100 passengers and carries 340 crew.
A new cruise line, Norwegian Coastal Voyages, begins calling Halifax this Fall which brings to 13 the total number of cruise lines calling the Port of Halifax. In addition, existing cruise lines are adding four ships to their Halifax itineraries this season.
“Halifax has built a solid and diverse base of support with 13 cruise lines calling this season,” says Cathy McGrail, Manager of Cruise Development for the Halifax Port Authority. “Cruise has a major impact on tourism and homeport activity is expanding the economic impact of the cruise industry in Nova Scotia.”
Other highlights for the 2007 cruise season include:
- Pavilion 22 Shops & Services at the Halifax Seaport are now open on cruise ship days to the public and cruise passengers
- Four new cruise ships will call Halifax this season: the Veendam, the Albatros, the Norwegian Spirit and the MS Fram
- Norwegian Costal Voyages is a new line calling and will be cruising pole to pole – starting in Iceland and ending in the Antarctica
- 13 lines in total call Halifax, including 9 of the top North American lines.
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For more information:
Michele Peveril, Manager Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Halifax Port Authority
Tel: (902) 426-1060
Fax: (902) 426-6473
E-mail: mpeveril@portofhalifax.ca
