Norwegian Cruise Line will offer Western Caribbean cruises from the Port of Tampa with the 2,240-passenger Norwegian Star from October 2011 through April 2012.
Twenty-seven sailings are scheduled in Norwegian' first venture from Tampa. The seven-day itineraries will include Roatán, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
Carnival, Holland America and Royal Caribbean International offer cruises from Tampa to Mexico and the Western Caribbean.
The 91,740-ton Norwegian Star was launched in 2001.
Jim Sweat of AAA Auto Club South said the new sailing will provide more options, vessels and beds and perhaps more competition.
"That could create better pricing for consumers so they have a better chance to pick and choose," Sweat said. "We're always fighting here in Tampa to build awareness, and with yet another vessel in this market, it's going to grow the business."
Operating revenue from cruise lines for fiscal 2010 is expected to amount to 21.1 percent of the port's projected $41.6 million in operating revenue, the third largest operating revenue segment.
Local cruise traffic last year was 803,000, which includes counting passengers as they board and disembark from their ships at Tampa.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement
Advertisement