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Biting into the Big Apple’s cruise appeal
It’s been decades since New York was the capital of ocean liner or cruise ship departures. But the city is again becoming a popular departure point for cruises, even in the winter months.
Following the success of NCL Corp.’s year-round departures from New York, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is set to begin offering its own year-round cruises from the terminal it is developing in Bayonne, just across the Hudson River from New York, said the AP.
Royal Caribbean, the world’s second-largest cruise line, started sailing Explorer of the Seas from Cape Liberty in New Jersey for a nine-night Bermuda and Caribbean itinerary. The seven-year-old ship can hold more than 3,100 passengers; its amenities include an ice rink and rock climbing walls.
The world of increased security and airport hassles has certainly helped push the popularity of the city for cruises.
But part of the appeal for passengers is also not having to spend money to fly to Florida, said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president of sales for Royal Caribbean.
“They can get the ship in their backyard,” she said. “That’s very attractive.”
About 20 percent of Royal Caribbean’s North America customers are within a five-hour drive from Bayonne, and they are bused in from as far away as Ohio, she said.
Report by David Wilkening
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