Undisputed Cruise Capital of the World!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from the Port of Miami and thought it
would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings,
they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


October 23, 2003

Port of Miami Reports Growth in Cargo and Cruise Activity Continues
Record Increases

(Miami-Dade County, FL) --

For the fourth year in a row, the Dante B. Fascell Port of Miami-Dade
has posted record numbers. During Fiscal Year 2003, The Home
Port-of-Call, remained the undisputed Cruise Capital of the World. The
Port saw a 8.7% increase in cruise passenger traffic, with 3,960,614
vacationers sailing the high seas. Cargo tonnage figures also rose
3.7% raising the port’s throughput to 9,002,359 tons. As anticipated,
the Port’s TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) figures surpassed the
one million mark. A record 1,041,483 TEUs moved through the “Number
One Container Port in Florida.”

“Throughout this past year, the Port of Miami, has been faced with
more challenges than ever before,” said Seaport Director Charles A.
Towsley. “However, our ongoing construction improvements will give
rise to wondrous permanent improvements in our infrastructure. Some of
these enhancements have already enabled the port to meet the demands
of our cruise and cargo industries. The positive growth this year is
an excellent example of this.”

The Port’s ambitious capital improvements will ensure that this
transportation hub will be more than ready to meet the future
challenges facing the maritime industry. This will enable the Port of
Miami to continue being a true world-class seaport.

On Tue, 28 Oct 2003 17:35:31 GMT, (CupCaked)
wrote:

I wish the Port of New York was still as active as it was in years
past. The only thing we have now, besides the QE2 leaving on her
world cruise the first week in January each year, is NCL's Dawn.

Makes no sense to me. Is the cruise market so Caribbean bound as to
pass up this port? I know the Dawn goes south but it's not a very
attractive itinerary especially in the winter.

Queen of Cruising wrote in message . ..
On Tue, 28 Oct 2003 17:35:31 GMT, (CupCaked)
wrote:

I wish the Port of New York was still as active as it was in years
past. The only thing we have now, besides the QE2 leaving on her
world cruise the first week in January each year, is NCL's Dawn.

Makes no sense to me. Is the cruise market so Caribbean bound as to
pass up this port? I know the Dawn goes south but it's not a very
attractive itinerary especially in the winter.

Well, most cruises are 7-day itineraries. What do you suggest would be
a good cruise itinerary from NYC in November, December, January,
February or March. And, not only are you dealing with the
cold/snow/ice for cruising, think about the thousands of passengers
that will have to fly into the tri-state area, in often less than
ideal conditions.

Took my first cruise from NYC this summer. I loved being able to drive
to the port (actually used a car service). Embarkation was a breeze.
Debarkation was another story. Total and utter chaos. Walked off the
ship...no problem. Found my suitcases...no problem. Finding my ride?
The WORST! Traffic, disorganization - a really bad scene. People
didn't know where to go, who to ask. Awful.

Lee

I think there are enough people in NYC alone to fill more than one
cruise ship. My choice of itinerary would be NY to St. Martin to NY. A
nice long slow ride.

Eileen

Lee wrote:

Well, most cruises are 7-day itineraries. What do you suggest would be
a good cruise itinerary from NYC in November, December, January,
February or March. And, not only are you dealing with the
cold/snow/ice for cruising, think about the thousands of passengers
that will have to fly into the tri-state area, in often less than
ideal conditions.

Took my first cruise from NYC this summer. I loved being able to drive
to the port (actually used a car service). Embarkation was a breeze.
Debarkation was another story. Total and utter chaos. Walked off the
ship...no problem. Found my suitcases...no problem. Finding my ride?
The WORST! Traffic, disorganization - a really bad scene. People
didn't know where to go, who to ask. Awful.

Lee

Eileen
NCL Dawn is doing a NY to St Maatan to NY cruise. We just booked a 10
nite Thanksgiving 2004 cruise on her. Itinerary is great.
Barbados
Antigua
St. Maartan
Tortola &
St. Thomas

Florence

"Eileen Garland" wrote in message
...
I think there are enough people in NYC alone to fill more than one
cruise ship. My choice of itinerary would be NY to St. Martin to NY. A
nice long slow ride.

Eileen

Your wish is Holland America's command, Eileen. : )

Rotterdam.....May 17th or 27th. 10-day Eastern Caribbean.

That's a nice itinerary - but I'd prefer just ONE port!

Eileen

Florence and Lou Roth wrote:
Eileen
NCL Dawn is doing a NY to St Maatan to NY cruise. We just booked a 10
nite Thanksgiving 2004 cruise on her. Itinerary is great.
Barbados
Antigua
St. Maartan
Tortola &
St. Thomas

Florence

On Wed, 29 Oct 2003 16:46:46 GMT, (CupCaked)
wrote:

Your average American cruiser likes Caribbean cruises in the winter,
Alaskan cruises in the summer and (maybe) a Panama Canal trip just to
be "adventurous."

After a few cruises like that, cruising gets very boring and dreary
for anyone who's not half brain dead.

You know, Karens, you are right. I have done all of the above, soon
doing the PC on the Brilliance, don't care for Alaska (screw cold
weather) and now Hubby and I are wondering, what's next? St Thomas for
round seven? No way.

I had to cancel Tahiti b/c of Hubby who may never get another blow job
again.

Makes no sense to me. Is the cruise market so Caribbean bound as to
pass up this port? I know the Dawn goes south but it's not a very
attractive itinerary especially in the winter.

On 29 Oct 2003 12:47:55 -0800, (Lee) wrote:


Well, most cruises are 7-day itineraries. What do you suggest would be
a good cruise itinerary from NYC in November, December, January,
February or March. And, not only are you dealing with the
cold/snow/ice for cruising, think about the thousands of passengers
that will have to fly into the tri-state area, in often less than
ideal conditions.

Yes, I agree.

Took my first cruise from NYC this summer. I loved being able to drive
to the port (actually used a car service). Embarkation was a breeze.
Debarkation was another story. Total and utter chaos.

Complete chaos.

Walked off the
ship...no problem. Found my suitcases...no problem. Finding my ride?
The WORST! Traffic, disorganization - a really bad scene. People
didn't know where to go, who to ask. Awful.

I got a taxi but had to walk two blocks up to get one...with luggage.
No fun but God is was great being in NYC.

On Thu, 30 Oct 2003 02:25:43 GMT, (CupCaked)
wrote:

And lots of sea days ;-)

Speaking of Hans...........