US ports report cruise passenger growth
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Cruise ports in Florida and Seattle have seen an increase in cruise passengers and activity following increased ship visits. Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale has recorded an 18.4 percent increase in multi-day cruise activity during the first six months of its fiscal year, with more than 2.5 million passenger passing through the port. In Seattle, the port is expecting 195 calls this year, bringing an estimated 807,300 holidaymakers. The rise in figures has been attributed to their homeport status to large ships, plus the continued popularity of Caribbean and Alaskan itineraries. For Everglades this includes its role as homeport for Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and its new long-term agreement with Carnival to renovate its terminals in the future. “These trends show the resilience of the Caribbean cruise market and the importance of the cruise industry for South Florida,” said Phil Allen, director of Port Everglades. “Interestingly, some of the highest ship occupancy rates are on those ships that sail year-round from Port Everglades.” Meanwhile in Seattle, Disney Wonder’s base at the port during summer 2012 will boost its passenger activity by 2,400 passengers a visit, further increasing its
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