Did you know? Impact of Cruise Terminal to our area.

That article in the Pilot...well, actually the comments about the article... made me want to know what the impact to the region has been from the cruise terminal.

According to Stephen Kirkland from Cruise Norfolk:

• The terminal has recorded more than 800,000 passengers since 2001
• This represents $85 million in total spending (hotels, restaurants, etc.)
• $9.4 million in spending in 2008 alone
• $16 million in projected combined spending for 2009 and 2010
• 190 local jobs on-site for cruise call (stevedores, processors, security, etc.)
• 15-20 tractor-trailer loads of provision (average) per cruise – many are local providers

Plus, reviews from people who have cruised from norfolk speak to the quality of the experience especially compared to other ports. On CruiseCritic.com, one person writes "This was the best cruise terminal I have ever cruised out of. We were literally on the ship within five minutes!! The port personnel were very friendly and finding our luggage after we disembarked was a breeze." (more here >)

I have heard this echoed from our customers and my friends and family who have taken a cruise here too.

The most unique aspect is that unlike other terminals, this one was built entirely devoted to people. It's not like other stuffy, large, bare warehouses that are adapted for people during cruises but are used extensively for loading and unloading supplies or products. When Norfolk built the terminal they listened to comments from travelers about the things they liked and disliked about other ports and incorporated that in their decision-making.

All things considered, Norfolk is a "young" cruise port with a lot of potential.

Congratulations Norfolk - Top Cruise Port Ranking!!

Posted today on PilotOnline, Norfolk was voted top cruise port in the country according to Royal Caribbean's weekly passenger ratings! Full article Here >

Of course, this is a weekly poll, but according to the article, it is gathered from "..up to 4800 passengers" who cruised from Norfolk on May 30th.

We hear similar comments about the beautiful terminal and the ease of the process compared to other ports. The port here, unlike most cruise terminals, was built specifically for people and not for loading/unloading goods as well as people. And you can really tell the difference...ask anyone who has sailed from Norfolk and another port, and they will tell you there is a distinct difference.

There are some comments on PilotOnline for the article that are negative...mostly about there not being enough sailings from Norfolk. I see that actually as a positive, that there is demand for more sailings. In fact, if the only thing one can say negative about the Norfolk Cruise Terminal is that there aren't enough cruises, then we are in good shape for expansion.

I happen to know that representatives from Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines, as well as other cruise lines, read this blog. So, a quick message to them: Give Us More Cruises! More Destinations! More Variety! If you bring it - they will sail! Just check out the article above...and contact Stephen Kirkland - he'll make it happen for your cruise line and for the area.

The last cruise royal caribbean cruise for 2009 is about to set sail!

On June 13, Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas will set sail from Norfolk for it's last cruise. Next year, Royal Caribbean returns with the Enchantment of the Seas - it's a bigger ship, with more oceanview balcony cabins and was refurbished in 2005. They brag about having the very first (bungee) trampolines at sea, so you can't do that anywhere else. I honestly don't know how i feel about that.... to jump or not to jump while at sea. It should at minimum be a hoot to watch!!

Besides that, there are a number of other things that the Enchantment offers that are new (to us):

• Bungee trampolines, serious fun for thrill-seekers
• Massive suspension bridges spanning the expanded Pool Deck
• Pools for swimming and one dedicated to sports
• Splash fountain with 64 water jets controlled by a kid friendly touch-pad system
• Latté-tudes,SM a specialty coffee house featuring Seattle's Best Coffee®
• Glass-walled Viking Crown Lounge

By the way, my favorite place to be when we first set sail from the port on any Royal Caribbean cruise is in the Viking Lounge while sipping a dirty martini. Many people prefer being out on the deck, but for some reason, this really sets my vacation off on the right foot!

Please feel free to comment and share the place that you like to be on a cruise when it first sets sail....