U.S. ports see silver linings despite pandemic
Written by Heather Ervin
Carnival has used the downtime to upgrade Port NOLA’s homeported Carnival Valor. Upon its return to Port NOLA, the Valor will be a brand new vessel. (Credit: Port NOLA)
Port NOLA Sees Downtime Improvements
While there is no doubt that COVID-19 has shuttered cruising operations around the world, the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) Market Manager Jessica Ragusa says that the cruise industry as a whole is proactively implementing significant public health protocols that will protect passengers once cruises resume.
“CLIA and its cruise line members have voluntarily developed a rigorous approach for the gradual return of cruises in the Americas,” said Ragusa. “The core elements of the protocols go beyond other sectors of the travel and tourism industry and includes testing 100% of passengers and crewmembers—a travel and tourism industry first.”
When the time comes, added Ragusa, Port NOLA and its tourism partners will be ready to welcome the resumption of cruise operations and are confident that New Orleans and Louisiana will still attract domestic and international visitors.
Meantime, Carnival has used the downtime to upgrade the port’s homeported Carnival Valor. Upon its return to Port NOLA, the Valor will be like a brand new vessel.
Inland River Cruises
River cruising is also popular in New Orleans and constitutes a growing segment of Port NOLA’s cruise business, according to Ragusa. American Cruise Lines plans to continue introducing modern riverboats to the domestic river cruise market every year. In 2020, American Cruise Lines introduced the American Jazz and American Melody on the Mississippi River. More are being constructed and will debut in 2022 and beyond.
There will soon be a new entrant to the Mississippi cruise market, Torstein Hagen’s Viking Cruises.
“We look forward to welcoming Viking Cruise Lines to New Orleans in 2022,” said Ragusa. “Viking’s arrival on the Mississippi River underscores New Orleans’ draw as a convenient cruise port and enduring tourism destination. With stops along the Mississippi River, Viking cruises also represent the future commitment to tourism and economic development for many communities in Louisiana.”
Ragusa said that Viking estimates it will host more than 5,800 guests in the region in 2022. “For the first full-year season in 2023, Viking will bring an estimated 17,600-plus guests to the region for Mississippi River cruises,” she said.
The ship that will be operated by Viking is currently being built at Edison Chouest on Bayou LaFourche in Louisiana. It will hold 386 passengers, 150 crewmembers and costs $90 million. “Sailings for 2023 are already confirmed due to strength of 2022 bookings,” said Ragusa.
According to reports, Chouest will not only building the vessel but, to ensure Jones Act compliance, will charter it to Viking and arrange U.S. crewing. The exact details of all have yet to emerge.
Categories: Cruise Ships, Inland, Inland and Coastal, News, Ports & Terminals
