Cruise friendly New Orleans

Saturday, 12 Oct, 2004 0

Discount books offered exclusively to travel agents are among ways tourism officials are promoting its fast-growing cruise industry, says Kim Priez, vice president of tourism, New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“We give travel agents a certain Web address where their customers can download the coupons,” she said.

Discounts are up to 25%, she added.

“Our research has found that agents book New Orleans at a higher percentage than many other areas,” she added.

The CVB also has introduced commissionable hotel packages that include accommodations, transportation to and from the cruise ship terminal, and free hotel parking for passengers booking a pre- or post-New Orleans stay.

Tourism officials are trying to sell the area as a place to visit before or after cruises.

“Visitors can take two vacations in one. Unlike some cities, our cruise terminal is just a short walk away from downtown and the French Quarter,” added Leslie Straughan, the CVB’s tourism sales manager.

The Port of New Orleans estimates the so-called “Big Easy” will have one million cruise passengers by 2006, up from 695,000 in 2003. It’s one of the fastest growing cruise ports in the US, according to the International Council of Cruise Lines.

Four international cruise ships are home-ported in New Orleans. There are also two inland cruise companies based there.

The Delta Queen Steamboat Company offers year-round paddlewheel cruises out of New Orleans, and Riverbarge Excursion’s River Explorer delivers river barge vacations along the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

Norwegian Cruise Line begins its round-trip service from New Orleans Oct. 24 through April 24, 2005, calling at Cozumel; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize and Cancun. Next fall, the company will replace the Norwegian Dream with a larger ship, the 2,002-passenger Norwegian Sun, for its New Orleans’ sailings.

Report by David Wilkening

David

It’s easy to find perfection in Santa Barbara, but what if there was even more of your favorite finds, activities,...

Travel specialists founded the company in 1999 as AC Tours. Since then we have grown and expanded to incorporate four...

Since its launch in 1999, TravelMole.com has become, one of the largest global online travel industry communities. It is comprised...

Jet2.com is the UK’s third largest airline, flying from ten UK airports to more than 60 destinations across Europe and beyond....

City Cruises is a leading operator of sightseeing, dining and charter services operating in London, York and Poole. We offer...

Some describe it as a natural playground. Some say, it’s simply unique as it offers a great array of travel...

The superpower in bed banks for 30 years We are an award-winning and trusted accommodation wholesaler since 1991. We are...

STA was established to support the growth of the travel and tourism sector by serving the needs of tourism companies...

To say Sweden is fit for a fairy tale is not overstating it—the palaces dazzle, the boreal forests are brimming...

ITB Asia, Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show, is an annually held B2B trade show and convention for the travel industry; it is designed...

From the Tel Aviv beach scene to the shores of the Dead Sea, Israel layers diverse cultures, outdoor adventures, and...

Hilton is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,300 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms, in...

Arival advances the business of creating amazing in-destination experiences. We provide events, insights, and community for creators and sellers of...