Holland America Line’s Westerdam will call on the Port of New Orleans’ Julia Street Cruise Terminal Tuesday Oct. 27. The 936-foot cruise ship marks the first of a busy year for unique cruise ship calls in New Orleans through 2016.
A port call is a visit from a ship that doesn’t homeport in a city, but calls on a port as part of its cruise itinerary.
“New Orleans is an international destination and cruise lines see it as an attractive call on their itineraries to market to potential passengers,” said Gary LaGrange, Port President and CEO. “Unique cruise ship calls have a big impact on the local economy, as thousands of passengers at a time, who are often international, have the opportunity to explore everything New Orleans and the surrounding area has to offer.
Port officials will mark the ship’s maiden voyage to New Orleans with a plaque exchange aboard the Westerdam, which will be attended by Carnival Corp. President and CEO Arnold W. Donald.
Next month, AIDA Cruises will return the AIDAvita to New Orleans Nov. 27 for the first of 11 overnight calls through December of 2016. P&O Cruises will also have a significant presence in New Orleans next year, as its Oriana will make three overnight calls and P&O’s Oceana and Azura will make one overnight call each all at the Julia Street Cruise Terminal. In addition, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Europa 2 will call the Port Oct. 10-12 in 2016 and Azamara Club Cruises will bring its Azamara Quest for a two-day call Oct. 25-26, 2016.
