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James E. McGreevey |
William D. Watley |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact:
Karen Wolfe - 609.292.2523
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| ROYAL CARIBBEAN
CRUISES LTD. MAKES A NEW HOME Cruise Ships Depart from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne Trenton, N.J. (May 18, 2004)—Explorer Henry Hudson once sailed through Bayonne, New Jersey. Now a new voyager makes its way through the nation’s newest cruise port at The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s new Cape Liberty Cruise Port now serves as the home for two of the company’s ships: the Voyager of the Seas and Empress of the Seas Royal Caribbean has given its Bayonne Port the name Cape Liberty Cruise Port. The company’s first cruise, on the Empress of the Seas, left the port for Bermuda on May 9. The Voyager of the Seas – a 138,000-ton ship that can accommodate 3,114 guests and includes an ice-skating rink and full-size basketball court – left on May 16 for Canada. The establishment of Cape Liberty Cruise Port marks the first time in 40 years that a cruise line has operated out of New Jersey. “Royal Caribbean’s operation here at the new Cape Liberty Cruise Port demonstrates that New Jersey continues to be a desirable site for business attraction and development,” said Dr. William D. Watley, CEO and Secretary of the New Jersey Commerce & Economic Growth Commission. “It also signifies how the tourism industry is an instrument of economic development. We are pleased to welcome Royal Caribbean to the Garden State.” Royal Caribbean moved its operations from New York to Bayonne to offer its guests a convenient new departure point, which is attractive to both drive-market guests and those arriving by air. “This marks a major milestone in the revitalization of Bayonne,” said Nancy Byrne, executive director of the New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism. “Instead of traveling outside New Jersey to depart for a cruise, travelers interested in taking a cruise can leave for their vacations directly from our state’s waterways.” Royal Caribbean entered an agreement with Bayonne in December 2003 to operate a private cruise port out of The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor – an agreement that was a significant, tangible step in transforming the Peninsula from a military/industrial complex to a modern commercial port. The New Jersey Department of Transportation has invested $42 million to date, to deepen the Port Jersey Channel – with another $60 to $80 million planned to continue that work and to adjust the channel's shape, to make it easier for ships to enter and exit. That work is part of the ongoing plan to turn the former Military Ocean Terminal (MOTBY) area into a commercial port. Cape Liberty Cruise Port is located at the northeast corner of the former Bayonne Military Ocean Terminal, now renamed The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor, a 430-acre, man-made peninsula that extends into New York Harbor. Future plans for the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor call for a vibrant mixed-use waterfront development comprised of residential, light industrial and office space, film studios, a riverwalk and extensive recreational and park areas. The new cruise port offers guests outstanding views of the harbor, the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan. Royal Caribbean has renovated existing structures for use in the immediate future. Long-term plans call for construction of a new cruise terminal and supporting facilities. Royal Caribbean will base two ships at the new port from May through October 2004. Voyager of the Seas offers an alternating schedule of five-night Canada and nine-night Caribbean cruises. Empress of the Seas offers alternating six-night and eight-night Bermuda itineraries. Parties interested in receiving a free copy of the 2004 New Jersey Travel Guide can contact the New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism at 800-VISITNJ (847-4865) or visit the Web site at www.visitnj.org. |
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