Terminal operator agreements for the Manhattan and Brooklyn cruise terminals are expiring at the end of this year, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) will award the new bid to one company, as opposed to dueling firms as is the current situation with Ports America overseeing Manhattan and Metro Cruises in Brooklyn.

“This is a great opportunity to secure one operator and eliminate competition,” said Elizabeth Shearin, director of cruise operations. “There will be operational cost efficiencies to pass on to our partner cruise lines.”

Before that happens, 2016 is shaping up to be another strong year with roughly a million passengers and 220 vessel days in the Big Apple.

Among the highlights will be the new Carnival Vista in Manhattan this November, and maiden calls from Ponant and Viking Cruises. Disney Cruise Line is also returning for a handful of calls in the fall, sailing from Manhattan.

The peak of the New York cruise season continues to run from September to November as ships sail north for fall foliage.

“We’d love to expand that and have a Canada/New England run through the summer,” said Shearin. “It shouldn’t just be seen as an itinerary for the fall. There are a lot of great opportunities (during the summer) from Quebec all the way down.”

Excerpt from Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine: Winter 2015/2016