Cruise Port Reviews

Liner visit tests water

A cruise liner carrying 2000 passengers and arriving shortly after Christmas could be the first step towards Port Taranaki developing an international terminal and becoming a cruise ship gateway to New Zealand.

MS Volendam, which is a vessel owned by shipping giant Holland America Line, will be the first cruise ship to visit Taranaki since 1999.

If its passengers leave the region with glowing reviews and the stopover is deemed a success by its owners then future cruise ship visits to Taranaki could become a regular occurrence.

And with the cruise ship market growing faster than any other sector in the tourism industry, Taranaki could well become a gateway to New Zealand for boutique and medium-sized cruise ships.

That would require Port Taranaki to install infrastructure to accommodate cruise liners including passenger terminals and border control facilities.

And the arrival of MS Volendam is the first opportunity for Taranaki to prove itself as a viable cruise ship destination.

The 240 metre 61,000 tonne floating village will berth in Port Taranaki at 8am on December 27 and will depart later that evening.

Up to 1432 mostly Australian and American passengers will come ashore, as well as the majority of the 615 crew members.

MS Volendam will be travelling to Taranaki overnight from Port Chalmers and will leave for Wellington later that day.

Cruise New Zealand, which promotes local destinations to cruise ship companies, is largely responsible for bringing MS Volendam to New Plymouth.

Chairman Craig Harris said, with the rapidly growing industry, it was logical to start including Taranaki on cruise ships itineraries.

"We're always trying to open up new destinations and new parts of New Zealand," Mr Harris said.

Last season there were 520 port calls in New Zealand and next season that figure was likely to reach 650, he said.

"This is a toe in the water to see how it all works out."

Taranaki was the most direct route for ships from Australia and setting up an international terminal was an option for the future, he said.

"Discussions are under way to see if we can factor in cruise ships coming straight from Australia."

Port Taranaki commercial manager of cargo and logistics Olaf Numssen, who helped Wellington establish its cruise ship terminal, said if the visit proved successful the region could expect to see more.

"We're doing everything to ensure this market will be open but in the end it is the cruise ship companies which are deciding," Mr Numssen said.

Europe River Cruise Port Reviews | Cruise Specialists Blog

Brand-new Avalon Panorama I had the opportunity to visit some distinct and interesting cities. The Rhine River is most famous for its legendary Lorelei rock and the imposing medieval castles that line its banks. Aboard Avalon Waterways you sail through cities like Amsterdam, Cologne, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Basel. Today I want to share with you two other cities that I enjoyed.

Mainz – appropriately, my first written word about this journey should come from the home of the debatable inventor of printing, Johannes Gutenberg, who’s 1455 press changed the world with the printing of his 42-line Latin Bible.  To my absolute delight, the day was sunny, warm and perfect for strolling the mere 600 yards to the town center.  As luck would have it, I arrived on Saturday morning, where the ages-old town square was being set up for the weekly farmers market.  This incredible collection of colors, scents, smells and activity was a feast for the senses.  Every imaginable plant, flower, vegetable, baked good and meats were arranged and displayed in a mastery of artistic genius.  Each booth a station of smiling faces, laughter and cordial exchanges between vendor and customer.  The sun shines down and it is a joyous pause to breathe and take it all in.

Later in the day I did a short walking tour of the old city, with quaint streets, storybook houses and inviting cafes, wine bars and beer gardens.  Of course, no visit to Mainz would be complete without a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, which is right on the town square.  In the age of Kindles, the museum’s amazing collection of 500-600 year-old books is something to behold.  Further examination of the town beckons you to visit the statues of the two patron saints and their namesake cathedrals, St. Martin and St. Stephen.  St. Martin is on the square, so it is relatively simple to step in for a look, and there are a few little cafes surrounding where you can enjoy a hot or cool beverage.  St. Stephens is a 7-minute walk from St. Martin’s and requires hoofing it up a small hill.  The effort is surely worth it as you are rewarded with a spectacular array of stained-glass windows created by the late artist, Marc Chagall.  This town could not have been more enjoyable and its accessibility from the ship is easy and convenient.  I would definitely go back.

Frankfurt – I arrived in Frankfurt with about 6 hours to spare before sail away.  Having been to the airport numerous times, this was my very first visit to the old city.  Being an avid runner, I took the opportunity to do a short run around town before slowing it down to a walk.  The night was warm and full of spring air, igniting the locals with a pent-up enthusiasm.  Frankfurt is certainly a modern city with many amenities and conveniences.  I wandered the streets and eventually found my way to an area called Cornermarkets, with stylish cafes and bars buzzing with locals.  Walking along the path by the river, all kinds of individuals and groups were soaking up the atmosphere.  From the city square, I headed back to the ship…I saw four boys clapping and singing…some other boys were drinking a mixture of pop and spirits….some girls were smoking and telling animated stories.  The city was spotlessly clean with tidy benches, trash cans, iron-gates and fences….and everywhere you could hear murmurs with frequent joyous outburst across the river and nearby of people celebrating the simplicity of a glorious spring day.  When I approached the Panorama, there were four men in the Club Lounge playing Wii Bowling! I would definitely like to come back to Frankfurt and spend some time.

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