Cruise operators reroute trips to use less fuel

On its cruise through the waters of the North Atlantic next year, the 1,020 foot Explore of the Seas will be spending more time along the New England coast than the Canadian – and not because of the scenery.

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines and others as well are charting new routes for their cruises that are less costly when it comes to fuel. Already one of the largest of the industry’s operating costs, the recent record fuel price highs have been severely damaging cruise operator finances.

The revised itineraries will have implications far greater than just on cruise operator financial performance, as ports on the previous routes as well as the new ones will see their fortunes shifting.

For example, when cruise ships dock in Bar Harbor, Maine, local vendors benefit from the average $105 each passenger spends while in port, according to a University of Maine study from 2002.

The Explorer of the Seas has a capacity of over 3,000 passengers.

Even a smaller cruise ship, half the size of the Explore, would mean close to $160,000 per port visit. This is income that Portland, Maine, depends on, and expects over 30 cruise ship visits next year – with each ship carrying from 1,000 to 3,000 passengers.

While Portland is likely to benefit significantly from the route changes, ports along Canada’s Atlantic coast are set to lose a considerable amount of income.

Between 2000 and 2007, ports on Canada’s Atlantic coast saw an increase of 33 percent in cruise ship visits, according to statistics from the Atlantic Canada Cruise Association.

www.atlanticcanadacruise.com