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tion vessels that can sail the Polar Regions as well as the rest of the world. Accommodating only 184 passengers, all four ships will feature a reinforced hull for polar exploration, sta- bilizers, ? ve passenger decks, a ? eet of Zodiacs for excursions and transfers, an in? nity pool, an aft marina for sun worship- ping and water sports, and an 188-seat theater. Each ship will have 88 balcony staterooms and four suites with bay windows and expansive private terraces, according to Ponant.

“It is without question that the cruise industry continues on a growth trajectory, gaining in consumer interest and creating a positive impact on the global economy,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA. CLIA reported cruise industry expen- ditures generated $126 billion in total output worldwide, support-

Passenger ing more than one million full-time equivalent employees who earned $41 billion in income, an increase from previous years.

The global good news is impressive, but North American markets continue to pace the markets, as well. PortMiami

Records Pace and Port Everglades have all but completed preparations to accommodate the cruise lines giants that are coming to call and Port Canaveral has embarked upon an ambitious master planning process.

Global Growth

According to cruise consultants Bermello Ajamil & Part- ners, industry growth — based on new ships now under con- struction — will create a need for 10 additional terminals in

Florida, and Port Canaveral is the only port with a real op- portunity to service that demand. It possesses the necessary deep water channel, convenient access to drive-in and ? y-in markets and, most importantly, is the only established cruise port in Florida with space for signi? cant expansion.

Although Port Canaveral has emerged as the second busiest cruise port in the world, and is considered a leading homeport for the world’s largest cruise lines, there is plenty happening elsewhere on the U.S. East Coast, as well.

Port Everglades

Broward County’s Port Everglades has negotiated a Memo- randum of Understanding (MOU) that provides the framework for a new long-term business agreement with Royal Caribbean

Cruises, Ltd. (RCL) that will include complete, customized renovations of the Port’s Cruise Terminal 25 targeted for com- ven as the Cruise Lines International Association pletion by October 31, 2018.

(CLIA) counted up the record number of global cruise “Our cruise line customers are becoming more sophisticated passengers in 2017, CLIA member cruise lines are in the way they think about the guest experience, as we saw

E scheduled to debut 27 new ocean, river and specialty when Royal Caribbean partnered in the construction of Cruise expedition ships this coming year. Among the most interesting Terminal 18 for their Oasis class of ships,” said Port Ever- of those ships are the two new Ponant ships, Le Laperouse and glades Chief Executive Steven Cernak. “We value the compa-

Le Champlain, both being built by Vard Tulcae in Romania. ny’s partnership and con? dence to bring the newest ships from

Le Laperouse will be the ? rst of Ponant’s four Explorer-class Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises to Port Everglades.” expedition ships. It is named for French explorer Jean-Fran- Separately, RCL announced that its newest Celebrity Cruis- cois de La Perouse. es ship, Celebrity Edge, will homeport in Port Everglades be-

The ships are part of Ponant’s investment in small expedi- ginning in the fall of 2018. Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of www.maritimelogisticsprofessional.com 37

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