MedCruise News Bringing the Med together June 2012 | Issue 36

L-R: Laurent Monsaingeon, Stavros Hatzakos, Salah Tagguez, Lotfi El Ajmi, Mohamed Daoud, Giovanni Spadoni MedCruise heads to Tunisia - IN THIS ISSUE Association News/People 1-3

small country with a big history MedCruise heads to Tunisia - small country with a big history 1 40th MedCruise General Assembly 2-3 unis in North Africa hosted the 30th followed by the Phoenicians, Romans, MedCruise General Assembly on May Byzantines, Arabs, Spanish, Turks and Port facilities & Infrastructure 4-7 T31st to June 2nd, providing an French. It became independent in 1956. opportunity for members and invited cruise Salah Tagguez, deputy transport minister Barcelona 4 lines executives and media to see the new said, 'we are a country going through an Castellon 4 and forward thinking cruise facilities at historic transition towards democracy and Tarragona 4 nearby port of La Goulette. freedom and tourism is a cornerstone of that North Sardinian Ports 5 The meeting, which saw the addition of process.' Livorno 5 three new members ports: Brindisi (Italy), Hatzakos said he was delighted by the Venice 5 Corfu (Greece) and Kotor (Montenegro) was attendance and the work that has been Rijeka 6 attended by around 80 members from 20 achieved so far by the new board, elected last Kavala 6 countries. October in Sete. ‘I am pleased that we Turkish Ports 6 MedCruise president Stavros Hatzakos, continue to grow, as our strength is working Balearic Islands 7 chairing his first general assembly, thanked together in a common interest which benefits Valencia 7 hosts, the Merchant Marine Office and Ports the whole region.’ Toulon 7 (OMMP), one of the founding members of MedCruise in 1996. Itineraries / deployment 8 He reminded that this was the second time the GA had been held in Tunis. 'We were first here in 2001 Marseille hosts big ticket events 8 and postponed our return last year MedCruise in Miami 8 due to the Arab Spring but we are here today to declare how absolutely safe and secure Tunisia is and invite everyone in the cruise industry to also do so.' He called Tunisia, the 'perfect link between Europe and Africa' and remarked how its history has been influenced by all who have travelled through the Mediterranean. The Berbers were the first settlers, www.medcruise.com 40th MedCruise General Assemb Lines talk about changing world of itinerary planning

Cruises' head of port ops, Elisabetta de Nardo, berated ports and tourist offices for their lack of providing information on the total cost of calling at destinations. MSC Cruises' port captain and strategic itinerary manager, Capt Luigi Pastena, added vital information such as the wind speed at the port entrance, the swell and size of wave at the berth under wind conditions and the power of your tugs,' is often lacking. Turning to sourcing, Eduardo Lopez, vp of land operations at Pullmantur said 'more and more we are sourcing internationally and for this year only 45% of our passengers will be Spanish.' The brand which also incorporates ight cruise line executives addressed the Time, speed and distance is playing a Croiseres de France will carry more than the MedCruise GA in Tunisia discussing a major role in deployment decisions, he projected 60,000 French passengers in 2012, Ebroad range of topics including remarked. 'Itineraries based on covering up he said. deployment, source markets and operational to 252 nautical miles overnight at 15/16 Touching on Greek cabotage Giora Israel, issues. knots is ideal for fuel burning,' he added. svp, global port and destination development Talking about drivers of deployment, John Holland America Line's manager, group, Carnival Corp congratulated Greece Tercek, vp commercial and new business deployment and itinerary planning, Justin for taking cruise 'one step further'. He said development Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Poulsen said, his line is looking at more open operating itineraries out of Piraeus offered said the decision process gets more and more jaw legs compared to closed jaw and for 13- 'endless options' with Adriatric, Black Sea difficult each year, 'whereas before it was 15 knots as an optimum fuel speed. and Turkish ports all likely to benefit. instinctive, now its scientific.' Looking at operational issues Costa

Russell Daya, Disney Cruise Line's director marine, port, security operations and maritime affairs called the B2B workshops excellent. ‘As we Making his first public appearance Carnival Corp’s Michel Nestour(left), recently appointed as vp in are returning to the Med in 2013 with Disney Giora Israel's(right) port and destination group responsible for the EuroMed region. He said his first two Magic out of Barcelona, it was a great opportunity to three months in the new job 'has been like an express train'. to find out latest developments from the ports.

n the evening of the last day of the GA, Oparticipants had a treat in store when they flew to Tozeur in the south of Tunisia. First experience was a magical bedouin dinner with the area lit by 5,000 candles. The next day it was into the Sahara for a 4x4 drive over the dunes and visit to the film set of Star Wars. 4x4 trip over the dunes Tozeur

2 bly - Tunis, May 31st-June 2nd Cruise Village, a first of its kind in the Med

ruise line executives participating in OMMP is offering reduced head taxes of shopping, the welcoming, the security, the the MedCruise GA got a first hand between €1 and €4.5 per passenger cafes and restaurants and the whole Cglimpse of the Goulette Village dependent on the season. 'These incentives concept of the village,' he added. Harbour in operation, as regular caller will continue to 2016 and we hope they Passengers are greeted on the quayside MSC Orchestra was berthed alongside the will bring back those lines that went away with live music, dancers, flower and 675mtr long quay. as well as increase activity in La Goulette jasmine bearers, locals dressed as Roman In 2010, 406 ships brought 900,000 cruise in the winter months,' said Mohamed centurians and camels. Following passengers to La Goulette, prior to the Daoud, chairman of OMMP. He expects to excursions they pass through the village uprising. Last year almost all calls were return to 2010 levels by 2013/14. housing over a 100 outlets before re- cancelled due to the Arab Spring but in 'This is the best conceived terminal in embarkation. 2012 MSC, Holland America Line, AIDA the Med,' Giora Israel, svp global port and The gala dinner was held at the Goulette and Pullmantur are calling and the destination development group, Carnival Village Harbour so all MedCruise GA passenger count is expected to be close to Corp said on his first visit to Tunisia. participants got a chance to see the cruise 600,000. 'From the berthing facilities, to the terminal and facilities.

What every visitor to La Goulette does: ECC’s Tim Marking takes a camel Disney Cruise’s Russell Daya and Royal Caribbean’s John Tercek visit the ride Goulette Village Harbour

MedCruise president Stavros Hatzakos accepts a gift from Tunisia’s Deputy The gala dinner held under a tent, quayside at La Goulette Transport Minister Salah Tagguez

Local musicians greet passengers as they pass through the Village Harbour MSC Orchestra berthed at La Goulette during MedCruise GA

3 Barcelona – a Castellon - a hidden secret on must visit city the coast once in a life time

ccording to the National Geographic magazine, ‘Barcelona is one of the 10 Acities in the world which must be visited once in a life time.’ The capital of Catalonia has a wide variety panish port of Castellon offers a include Valencia, just 40-45 minutes away by of cultural, architectural and leisure dedicated berth for cruise ships calling road and the medieval walled city of Morella, attractions that make it one of the most Sat this relatively undiscovered coastal which is in line to be given UNESCO World highly-visited cities in the world. city. Heritage site status soon. Also close is The Port of Barcelona, located in the heart The cruise pier can take any size ship Peniscola, home to Papa Luna Castle, the of the city, has contributed to the rising alongside and a shuttle bus to the city centre second most-visited building in Spain. numbers of tourists, welcoming 2.6m is offered free of charge. Another must-see place of interest is the passengers last year. Earlier this year Holland America Line’s town of Vall d’Uixo and the San Jose caves, Prinsendam visited for the first time and the largest subterranean navigable river in reported very positively about the call, with Europe. Tourists can take a boat ride through passengers greeted on the quayside upon the caves. arrival and treated to a folklore dance on departure. MedCruise contact Miguel Rojo: Popular shore excursions from Castellon [email protected] Tarragona awash with Roman remains

arragona, the southernmost capital of amphitheatre that held fights between In 2012, the port is expecting a similar Catalonia, located in the north east of gladiators in the 2nd century and over which number of cruise calls to last year at its Spain, has exclusive quays for cruise the Visigith basilica was built in the 6th seven specialised cruise terminals. Creuers T ships, a passenger terminal and can take any century as well as the Romanesque church in del Port de Barcelona operates five cruise size ship alongside. the 13th century. terminals. Palacruceros, the Carnival group The city centre is located just 10 minutes The Cathedral, built at the highest point of terminal, this year celebrated its fifth from the cruise berth and a free shuttle bus the capital dates back to 12th-14th century. anniversary. Both companies have invested to/from the city centre is available. The beauty and quality of its sandy €88.2m to extend and improve the cruise Passenger tax discounts are offered by the beaches and mild weather makes Tarragona facilities. Port Authority and this year Thomson and and its surrounds a popular destination in Many passengers taking a cruise from Silversea are booked to visit Tarragona, a the Med. Barcelona arrive by air and last summer the city awash with Roman remains. international airport implemented baggage Popular with visitors are the Roman walls MedCruise contact Montse Morente: check-in for those continuing their journey and medieval fortifcations plus the [email protected] on a cruise ship.

MedCruise contact Carla Salvado: [email protected]

4 Livorno breaking all records

ivorno, the gateway to Tuscany is expecting 1 million passengers in 2012 Lfollowing a record 2011 which saw 497 calls bring 983,000 cruisers to the port. This year MSC Orchestra is using Livorno for partial turnarounds. Starting April through to end of October the vessel will call every Sunday for a total of 29 visits embarking/ disembarking 1,200 passengers each time. Costa Magica (three turnarounds), Voyager of the Seas and MSC Orchestra are all using Alto Fondale berths 46 and 47 which have been designated as cruise-only quays this year. A 900 sq mtr warehouse alongside plus tented area outside acts as a terminal facility for handling passengers and their luggage. In Agri-tourism popular in North total, 202 cruise ships are scheduled to call at this facility throughout 2012 in a season which will extend to the end of the year with seven Sardinia calls booked in December.

lbia, Golfo Aranci and Porto Torres Alghero, 30km away and a town where MedCruise contact Sara Pardini: are three ports lying in the North of Catalan traditions fill every corner and are [email protected] OSardinia which are steadily growing still alive in its inhabitants’ typical dialect. their cruise traffic. This year the trio expect Agri-tourism is popular in North Sardinia to receive 139 calls. with visits to vineyards and wine tasting West of the island are Olbia and Golfo high on the list of shorex offerings plus Aranci, gateways to Costa Smeralda set in Italian style cooking lessons where the middle of an unspoiled natural passengers have the chance to knead dough, landscape. This year, one of 83 calls to Olbia roll it, fold it, shape it and cook it before will be the inaugural visit of Carnival Cruise tucking into a tasty lunch featuring their Lines’ latest ship Carnival Breeze. own handmade pasta. Porto Torres, in the north west of Sardinia, will receive 43 calls by Iberocruceros this year. MedCruise contact Paolo Piro: Popular with the Spanish market is nearby [email protected] Venice provides better access and continued terminal expansion

ccessibility to Next on VTP’s agenda is the refurbishment and from Venice of building 109/110, which will be transformed APassenger into a multi-purpose cruise facility. Work will Terminal has been begin this summer on renovating the old greatly improved this warehouses at a cost of €10m. The two storey- year with the roads building covering an area of 14,000sq mtr has a leading into and out of 219mtr long berth alongside. the cruise port Currently there is a baggage handling point widened. In addition a outside Isonzo 1 and 2 and one just opened at new fifth car parking Terminal 117. Staring from next season a new area has been opened baggage handling facility will be operational providing an servicing each of the terminals. additional 2,000 At 117, a new Multipurpose Boarding Tower parking places. has been operational since April 2011, Cruise traffic is providing access on and off the vessel as an handled at S. Basilio alternative to a traditional gangway. Designed Terminal (mainly and built by VTP Engineering S.r.l, a medium-size cruise subsidiary of VTP, the company is looking to ships), plus Cruise sell this passenger logistic concept to other Terminals 103, ports. 107/108, 117, Isonzo 1 and 2 in the Marittima MedCruise contact Francesco Drigo: area. [email protected]

5 Explore Rijeka’s Kavala, a year-round destination glorious past and present

ijeka, located in the Adriatic coast, is Croatia’s largest port accommodating Rcruise ships up to 7.5mtr draught alongside its passenger terminal or vessels of any size at anchor. To attract cruise calls the Port Authority charges no port fees for the first visit and is ready to discuss reduced fees for returning visitors. The town centre can be reached by foot from the port in ten minutes. It is rich in reek port of Kavala, located on the still going on at the main archeological site at culture and history and in particular Aegean Sea is a 12 month destination Philippi. It was here also that Paul the Apostle industrial heritage such as the first sugar Goffering history, religion, nature and the preached in Europe for the first time. refinery in south–eastern Europe, the first oil sea all within easy reach of the port’s 160mtr For nature lovers the Nestos River, running refinery (1883) and famous paper factory long berth, although from this year ships up to 20km into the sea, is considered one of the most (1821). 380mtr long with 10mtr draft can be important biotopes in Europe, attracting accommodated. numerous birds to its wetlands. Located in Kavala and its wider region are a Kavala also has many beautiful beaches and number of major museums: The Archaeological taverns for relaxation. There are more than a Museum with ancient collections from dozen Blue Flagged beaches with clean waters Neapolis, Philippi, Dikli-Tas and Amphipoli; within a few kilometres of the city centre. The Folklore Museum in a neoclassical building exhibits traditional costumes, MedCruise contact Aristos Halatsis: jewellery and handicrafts while excavations are [email protected] Turkish trio keep on growing

Must-see places for passengers arriving in lobal Ports Holding operates the three calls and just over 50,000 passengers last year. Rijeka are Opatija, 10 km away by road and Turkish ports of Kusadasi, Bodrum and Marketed as the ‘New Turnaround of the a town where tradition, the glory of its GAntalya. Mediterranean’, Port Akdeniz – port of former aristocratic tourism, and its Austro- Port of Kusadasi – Ege Ports boasts a 35% Antalya handled 80 calls and 140,818 Hungarian spirit are boldly mixed with a market share of all cruise business in Turkey passengers from 21 different cruise companies modern approach to fun and entertainment. aided in part by its location near to the in 2011. Krk is a small island that is connected to country’s most popular tourist attractions: Antalya International Airport is 25km away the mainland by a 1,430mtr bridge. Known Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary. and is the entry point for 32.5% of all tourists as the Golden Island its abundance of olive Cruise traffic here has grown expotentially coming to Turkey accounting for around 9m groves, fields and vineyards provides great since GPH was granted a 30 year concession in visitors per year. hiking and biking opportunities plus 2003. Since its first full year of operation to The Antalya region is scattered with ancient beautiful sandy beaches offer time for 2011, passenger numbers have grown 205% theatres, ruined cities and crusader castles relaxation. accounting for 656,900 on 573 calls in 2011. dating back to the Romans, Byzantines, Three-digit growth has also been achieved Greeks, Seljuks and Ottomans. It is also an MedCruise contact Zeljko Glavan: at Bodrum since GPH took over the running in important region for Christian history. [email protected] 2008. Referred to as ‘The New St Tropez of Turkey’ by the New York Times and Conde MedCruise contact Figen Ayan: Nast Traveler magazine Bodrum chalked up 80 [email protected]

Bodrum

6 Major berth expansion in the Valencia Passenger Balearics Services Terminal

he Balearic Islands Port Authority Western Med cruise hubs. launches manages the ports of Palma, Alcudia, In October this year, a new berth will open TMahon, Ibiza and La Savina. Five in Ibiza as part of the reorganisation of doors open to the world for 12 million cargo traffic away from the old city, declared visiting tourists each year. an UNESCO World Heritage site. The new These ports recorded 1.6m cruise concourse of about 75,000sq mtr with two passengers in 2011, with the port of Palma in 200mtr long piers will enable simultaneous front welcoming nearly 1.5m cruisers on over operation of five ships. The length of ship 500 calls. capable of being handled should increase to Ongoing investment in infrastructure over 300mtr with the addition of dolphins taking place in the Balearic capital significantly enhancing Eivissa, Ibiza as a comprises a 360mtr long new cruise cruise destination. berth(pictured) which will be finished in In Mahon, €1.8m is being spent on November 2012 as part of the extension of dredging to enable docking operations to be the existing Western Docks. With an carried out under optimal conditions. panish port of Valencia attracts both investment of €28m it will enable the homeporting ships and transit calls. simultaneous berthing of six cruise ships MedCruise contact Francisca Leal: SAround 40% of the 200 or so calls strengthening Palma as one of the top five [email protected] expected in 2012 are using the port for embarkation. Regular visitors include Iberocruceros, Pullmantur, MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises. A new company, Valencia Passenger Services Terminal (VPS Terminal) is launching on July 1, 2012 to provide a complete and continuous service to both passengers and cruise ships, which are calling in Valencia. Set up by four local shipping agents with wide experience in the cruise industry: Bergé Marítima, Pérez&Cia, Roca Monzó and Transcoma, VPS Terminal will operate out of a building located in the Marina Real Juan Carlos I, one of the most attractive tourist areas of Valencia and close to cruise berths Transit port Toulon now and the city centre. The new company is offering passenger and luggage check-in, baggage reclaim on arrival, undertaking interporting shuttle service from the terminal to the ships and vice versa as well as shuttle to the city centre and back, three kilometres away. oulon is projecting a record year for claim as an alternative French hub for The 1,600 sq mtr building, a former ferry cruise traffic with 120 calls and 320,000 turnarounds. terminal built around 40 years ago, is Tpassengers expected at the leading port 50 of this year’s calls are at the 340mtr long currently being refurbished at a cost of of the Var-Provence Cruise Club, a network of Le Mole-La Seyne. Here a temporary terminal €500,000 and will contain baggage scanning 10 ports in Provence and the French Riviera. has been constructed to handle Liberty of the equipment, seating area, check in and cafes Across the 10 ports passenger numbers are Seas. Transfer to the town centre is normally on the ground floor. The start up has been due to reach 380,000 as tenders ports of Sanary by bus taking around 30 minutes although given a five year concession, informs Cristina and St Raphael, in particular, are becoming Norwegian has pioneered the transfer of Rodríguez, senior manager at VPS and former increasingly popular, especially with luxury passengers to/from the ship by boat which cruise manager of Valencia Port Authority lines. takes only 10 minutes and brings them to the (pictured together with Manuel Rodriguez An established port of call, Toulon has added marina right in front of the Provence market Ruiz, director of shipping at Valencia Port Norwegian Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises to its and old town. Authority). roster of new customers this season. Royal Caribbean International’s Liberty of the Seas is MedCruise contact Delphine Beudin: MedCruise contact Manuel Rodriguez Ruiz: interporting this summer as Toulon stakes its [email protected] [email protected]

7 MedCruise News Bringing the Med together June 2012 | Issue 36 MedCruise World Trade Center, Marseille hosts big ticket events Edifici Est, 3a Planta 08039 Barcelona, Spain Tel: +34 93 306 88 00 ext 7358 ed with passion’ was the tag chosen godmother, screen Fax: +34 93 306 88 17 by MSC Cruises for the late May legend Sophia [email protected] ‘Mnaming ceremony of its newest Loren, named the Maria de Larratea, Secretary General flagship, MSC Divina, which took place ship as alongside the Marseille Provence Cruise pyrotechnics and MEDCRUISE MEMBERS Terminal.The ceremony began in spectacular confetti were thrust Alanya ASSOCIATE fashion as the Breitling Jet Team performed an into the sky from Alicante Almeria MEMBERS aerial stunt show around and above the vessel. huge letters Azores European Cruise Council Guests gasped and clapped as the display team spelling out the Balearic Islands Kvarner County Tourism Barcelona Office - Rijeka flew in formation just 100mtr above the top ship's name. Bari deck before peeling off and soaring up into the Later this year Batumi Patronat de Turisme sky. Marseille will host Brindisi Costa Brava - Palamos Cagliari Turisme de Barcelona A eulogy by home-grown actor Gerard Seatrade Med, the Jacques Truau, President of Cartagena - Barcelona Depardieu was followed by Maxim Vengerov, Mediterranean’s Castellon Marseille Provence Cruise Club Ceuta Aloschi & Bassani acclaimed violinist and UNICEF goodwill largest cruise Civitavecchia - Venice ambassador, who gave an equisite performance event on November 27-29 with MedCruise as Constantza BC Tours & Shipping Corfu on his Stradivarius before Italian jazz singer the main sponsor. Cyprus ports - Barcelona Paolo Conte sang and played piano to round off In 2013, the city will host over 400 cultural Dubrovnik, Korcula Cambiaso & Risso - Genoa Egyptian ports Cemar - Genoa the musical component. events during its year as European Capital of French Riviera ports As the sun went down MSC Dvina's Culture. A new cruise terminal is being built, Genoa Donomis Cruise Services - Volos for completion by the end of 2012, for Gibraltar Heraklion FA Travel - North Sardinia turnaround calls whilst the entrance into the Igoumenitsa Hugo Trumpy srl - Genoa port is scheduled to be extended soon to enable Kavala Koper Idu Shipping & Services access for the largest cruise ships. Kotor - Constantza Marseille Provence is set to welcome more Kusadasi, Bodrum & Inflot World Wide Antalya than 910,000 passengers in 2012. La Spezia - Sochi Lattakia Intercruises Shoreside Lisbon & Port Services MedCruise contact Emmanuelle Bonomo: Livorno [email protected] Madeira ports - Barcelona Malaga KaravanMar Cruise Marseille Services - Alanya Messina Karpaten Turism Srl Monaco Motril-Granada - Constantza MedCruise in Miami Naples Livorno Port Authority - North Sardinian ports Livorno Odessa Palamos Londonskaya - Odessa he MedCruise booth at Cruise Shipping Palermo Mercantile Marine Miami 2012, held in March, provided a Patras Shipping - Tunisia Piraeus MH Bland - Gibraltar Tgreat meeting place for members, Portimao associates and cruise lines. The open-sided Portoferraio Mirco Santi srl - Venice booth, decked out in pastel colours reflecting Ravenna Navigator Travel & Rijeka Tourist Services - Volos MedCruise’s branding and supplemented with Rize Navlomar maritime white chairs, also featured a flat screen TV Sete Sevastopol - Constantza showing rolling imagery from 100 member Sibenik P&B Agencies - Barcelona ports in 20 countries. Sinop Salamis Organisation - Sochi MedCruise hosted a reception on the opening Souda/Chania Cyprus afternoon of the show at which the newly Split Samer & Co. Shipping Tarragona - Trieste published 2012/13 Yearbook was presented. Thessaloniki The Directory of Cruise Ports and Professionals Toulon-Var-Provence Select Black Sea Ltd - Sevastopol in the Mediterreanean and Adjoining Seas has Trieste Tunisian ports Tartus Tours - Odessa been mailed to cruise line executives and Valencia Transcoma cruise & Valletta members and also appears as an e-book on the Venice travel - Barcelona www.seatrade-insider.com homepage. It will Volos Tura Turizm also be distributed by Seatrade to cruise line Zadar - Sinop executives and tourism officials at cruise events this year in Greece, Argentina, China and Maria de Larratea, MedCruise secretary general Dubai plus at Seatrade Med in Marseille. and Stavros Hatzakos, MedCruise president

Don’t forget to come and visit the MedCruise pavilion at Seatrade Med at Parc Chanot, Marseille, France on 27-29 November 2012

8 www.medcruise.com Published by Seatrade Communications Ltd