US cruise industry shifting away from South Florida
The US’s cruise capital is South Florida but operators are increasingly looking to build up other ports.
“Most people don’t live in Florida, so we need to bring cruising to the West Coast, the East Coast and the Gulf Coast,” said Bob Dickinson, president of Carnival Cruise Lines.
In the past decade, the number of US ports with cruise shops has more than doubled. There are now 26 ports with cruise ships.
The amount of money that will be spent on new and improved cruise facilities will be more than $640 million between now and 2007, said the American Association of Port Authorities.
New York is among cities more inclined than ever to promote their ports. The city reported a 25% increase in passengers going to Canada, New England and the Caribbean.
Cities are also tending to spend money to promote the cruise business. New York, for example, plans to spend $150 million to improve cruise terminals in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Report by David Wilkening
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