Visiting Ships Provide an Economic Boost for Wilmington & North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast

Release Date: Tuesday, April 26th 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Connie Nelson, Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast CVB
(866) 266-9690 or (910) 341-4030
cvbpr@capefearcoast.com

Wilmington, NC: This spring five passenger cruise ships will provide a welcome boost to the local economy. According to a Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 2007 study, each cruise ship passenger spends an average of $123 per U.S. port-of-call visit. It is estimated that each crew member spends an average of $49 per visit.

Two Blount Small Ship Adventures (formerly American-Canadian-Caribbean Line) cruise ships will grace the Wilmington riverfront in the coming weeks, weather permitting. On Friday, April 22, Grande Mariner will arrive at 12:00 p.m. with up to 96 passengers and depart that same evening at 11:59 p.m. On Friday, May 20, Grande Caribe will arrive at approximately 1:00 p.m. with up to 96 passengers, departing the following morning at approximately 5:00 a.m. Passenger shore excursions, provided by Tours by Degrees, will include a narrated drive through Downtown Wilmington’s historic district with stops at Thalian Hall Center for Performing Arts and Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design Arts.

Three American Cruise Line ships will grace the Wilmington riverfront during the month of May, weather permitting. On Sunday, May 8, Independence will arrive at approximately 1:00 p.m. with up to 104 passengers, departing at 10:00 p.m. that same evening. On May 15, American Glory will arrive at 1:00 p.m. with up to 49 passengers, departing at 10:00 p.m. On May 29, American Star will arrive at approximately 1:00 p.m. with up to 100 passengers, departing at 10:00 p.m.

On May 8 and 29, Tours by Degrees will lead passengers on a narrated drive through Wilmington’s historic district with a stop to tour the Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design Arts. On May 8, passengers may choose between the Downtown excursion or a trip to explore Fort Fisher State Historic Site and Carolina Beach State Park’s Venus Flytrap Trail.

These small luxury cruise ships will dock along Downtown Wilmington’s riverfront near the Visitor Information booth, where visitor information specialists greet passengers, provide free Visitors Guides, and answer questions about the area. In addition to their shore excursions, passengers will have free time to shop, dine, and explore the destination at their leisure.

“We welcome the ships’ arrivals and hope the passengers and crew will enjoy the history, charm and natural beauty of Wilmington and North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast,” states Kim Hufham, President/CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority. “When you add the passengers’ average daily expenditures to the fuel, ground transportation, tour services, and docking fees, these ships create an impressive local economic impact.”

The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization of New Hanover County which stimulates economic development through the promotion of travel and tourism.

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