As a city, New York is unique. Now there’s a news bulletin for you. As a cruise port, New York is unique — not just because we “heart” New York…not just because Holland America named a ship after it (Nieuw Amsterdam)…not just because Cunard has twice sent its three Queens there for a royal rendezvous and fireworks, although last week’s event made people realize just how special New York is.
Again.
What makes New York so different — at least among the ports of North America — is that people who cruise treat it as a destination. They don’t fly in, go straight to the ship, cruise, get off the ship and go straight to the airport. They stay.
According to results compiled by New York’s Economic Development Corporation, published in part in the New York Times, spending by cruise passengers is up an astounding 54% since 2009…this in the throws of tough economic times everywhere. Eighty per cent of the people boarding cruise ships in New York City last year come from somewhere else. And most cruise-ship passengers spend at least two nights in the Big Apple.
Many ports attract cruisers for an overnight stay, usually in advance, usually to make sure nothing happens that makes them miss their ship. Not many attract cruisers for two nights, and those that do are probably less expensive than NYC. As pointed out in the Times, cities usually don’t market to cruise-ship passengers because they’re often around only for a few hours.
Now, New York is going to market its tourist attractions to people getting on and off cruise ships. In fact, there’s a number of links on a site called NYC The Official Guide for cruise tourists who need suggestions if they have one day, three days, an appetite, kids with them or an interest in LGBT amenities in New York.
It must be pointed out, of course, that the jump in cruise-ship passengers in New York is somewhat attributable to a jump in cruise ships. It’s not every day, or even every year, that Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria all arrive there on the same day, but that event isn’t part of the research anyway.
But it’s part of the trend.