Building upon the successful 2006 cruise season, the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) announced today that Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will return to the Port of Philadelphia and Camden in 2007. From May through October there will be a combined total of 20 sailings to Bermuda.
This year promises to deliver an even greater vacation experience for passengers sailing from Philadelphia. The Port of Philadelphia is again partnering with both cruise lines to offer special pre- and post-cruise packages. Norwegian Cruise Line passengers can purchase the FreeStyle Philly package; and Royal Caribbean passengers can take advantage of the CruisePhilly First package. Both packages include:
Overnight accommodations at participating area hotels;
Discounts at many area restaurants, attractions and shops;
Access to special tickets for Once Upon A Nation and after-hours walking tours, a Tippler’s Tour to some of the historic pubs around the city, The Road to Valley Forge: Secrets and Spies, Colonial Kids Quest and 1776 The Movie Musical, as well as other special tours and events.
This season, passengers can also take advantage of the spectacular King Tut exhibit, which will be on display only at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Through September 30, cruise passengers can view the more than 130 Egyptian artifacts on display plus partake in a city-wide celebration with special Tut activities and events. For more information about the Tut exhibit, visit www.gophila.org or contact a travel agent.
“Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean back to Philadelphia,” said John J. Matheussen, CEO of the DRPA, the parent agency of the Port of Philadelphia and Camden. Our strong 2005 and 2006 seasons are showing the cruise lines that we can provide excellent service and a strong passenger base. Our extensive pre- and post-cruise offerings, some of the most diverse of any U.S. port city, also show our commitment to the industry and to passengers.
The success of the 2005 and 2006 seasons have proven to us that Philadelphia is an important port for us. We are pleased to continue our relationship with the Port of Philadelphia and Camden,” said Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s 34,000-ton, 1,104-passenger Norwegian Crown returns to Philadelphia for its fifth season in 2007. The ship will make six, seven-day sailings to Bermuda with stops at Royal St. Georges and Hamilton from May 6 through June 10.
Royal Caribbean’s 2,020 passenger, 48,563-ton Empress of the Seas will make 14 seven-day sailings to Bermuda from Philadelphia in 2007. From July 28 through October 27 the ship will make calls in St. George’s and Hamilton, Bermuda.
The cruise sailings provide great economic opportunity for the Philadelphia region. In 2003, the average group (2.4 people) of overnight cruisers spent approximately $226 during their stay in the Philadelphia region, with the majority of the money going towards lodging and food. With more than 60,000 cruise passengers in 2004, the CruisePhilly program generated approximately $16 million in business revenue and 195 full-time, equivalent jobs. In 2005, more than 90,000 cruise passengers sailed from the port, generating nearly $30 million in business revenue and 229 full-time, equivalent jobs. In 2006, more than 131,000 cruise passengers sailed, translating into $34.8 million in business revenue and 258 full-time, equivalent jobs.
