Gijon is expecting 15,124 passengers to call this year compared to 9,896 in 2012, an increase of just under 53%.
Call numbers remain stable at nine, which signifies the arrival of larger ships. For example Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) Adventure of the Seas is calling for the first time on three calls.
Crew numbers are rising from 3,930 last year to an estimated 5,593 this year.
Edinburgh (Leith) has 34 calls booked this year compared with 37 in 2012. In 2013 Hurtigruten’s Fram is the first and last vessel to call, on April 28 and September 28.
New calls to the port next year will be from Iberocruceros’ Grand Mistral and Windstar Cruises’ Wind Surf.
This year the aim is to enhance the passenger experience at the terminal with a warm Scottish welcome. Improvements to the terminal are also being planned.
Rouen was delighted to welcome the Tour de France on July 4. Although there were no cruiseships in to witness the historic event, there could be other opportunities in the years to come.
Although the race changes its route every year, it always ends in Paris which is 135km from the French port. The journey takes about an hour and a half by train or car/bus.
Aberdeen has 10 calls this year, compared to six (742 passengers) in 2010, says Brian Andrew, assistant harbour master Aberdeen Harbour Board.
Calls this year include Silversea Cruises’ Silver Explorer (ex Prince Albert II) and Silver Cloud, Hurtigruten’s Fram, Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa and Compagnie du Ponant’s Le Diamant.
