Cruise Europe
Cruise Europe
06/03/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/03/2026 10:52
What ports need from cruiselines and vice versa
Transparency was the word that kept on emerging from these discussions. Alongside collaboration on the ground and with the cruiselines.
Chris Martin, director marine & port operations at Holland America Group, started by saying: "The worst thing is to be surprised coming into port, for example, there are not enough buses to get the guests out. Keep us informed, involve us in discussions, for example, on port tariffs and infrastructure plans."
With ship and passenger numbers coming to market growing, there will be capacity constraints in some places, looking at value versus volume could be beneficial. Martin said: "Be realistic about what your port/destination can handle. We see a big increase in port costs in the European sector. We need help to try and address that. Work with us. We want to keep coming but it is getting costly."
On the nutty subject of bookings, there was almost unanimous agreement about getting booking confirmations that are set in stone well in advance. Michael Braathen, director itinerary planning, port operations and land programmes at Mystic Cruises, referenced Iceland's booking system DOKK (which was later explained in more detail), saying: "If everyone had that it would be very helpful." He is also a great advocate of first come first served.
Costs came up again when it comes to onshore power supply and taxes. Braathen highlighted that the cost of plugging in is about three times the cost of using the ship's own power which effects the ticket price. Martin added: "We are seeing costs going up considerably and a lot of variable rates. It is cheaper on our own engines. Open dialogue is important".
Gary Hall, chief commercial officer at the Port of Belfast which has invested €90 million in the port and cruise tourism over the years, added: "The biggest requirement is to create a collaborative open approach between the port and cruiselines on challenges, developments and requirements.
One of the biggest challenges is around berth allocations, advance bookings, for example we have them coming through now for 2031/32." He acknowledged the "pain point" when a later booking comes in for the same which would bring in more revenue but highlighted "the need to be able to satisfy the customer [who had booked already]".
Chris Martin, director marine & port operations at Holland America Group, started by saying: "The worst thing is to be surprised coming into port, for example, there are not enough buses to get the guests out. Keep us informed, involve us in discussions, for example, on port tariffs and infrastructure plans."
With ship and passenger numbers coming to market growing, there will be capacity constraints in some places, looking at value versus volume could be beneficial. Martin said: "Be realistic about what your port/destination can handle. We see a big increase in port costs in the European sector. We need help to try and address that. Work with us. We want to keep coming but it is getting costly."
On the nutty subject of bookings, there was almost unanimous agreement about getting booking confirmations that are set in stone well in advance. Michael Braathen, director itinerary planning, port operations and land programmes at Mystic Cruises, referenced Iceland's booking system DOKK (which was later explained in more detail), saying: "If everyone had that it would be very helpful." He is also a great advocate of first come first served.
Costs came up again when it comes to onshore power supply and taxes. Braathen highlighted that the cost of plugging in is about three times the cost of using the ship's own power which effects the ticket price. Martin added: "We are seeing costs going up considerably and a lot of variable rates. It is cheaper on our own engines. Open dialogue is important".
Gary Hall, chief commercial officer at the Port of Belfast which has invested €90 million in the port and cruise tourism over the years, added: "The biggest requirement is to create a collaborative open approach between the port and cruiselines on challenges, developments and requirements.
One of the biggest challenges is around berth allocations, advance bookings, for example we have them coming through now for 2031/32." He acknowledged the "pain point" when a later booking comes in for the same which would bring in more revenue but highlighted "the need to be able to satisfy the customer [who had booked already]".
Cruise Europe published this content on June 03, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 03, 2026 at 16:52 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]