Turnarounds in Oslo is good business for the City
An increasing number of foreign cruise passengers are starting their cruise in Oslo. This year, 36% of all passengers on board Vision of the Seas out of Oslo, are foreigners.
14.07.2011
In 2011, six of RCCL's ships will start from Oslo. That is, they change passengers in Oslo - passengers board the ship in Filipstad pier to sail to Amsterdam, around the British Isles or to St. Petersburg.
Mostly Americans
The mix of nationalities on board these ships has become very interesting. When RCCL started cruises from Oslo in 2007, the majority of the passengers on board were Norwegians. In 2011, more than 30% are foreigners, of which 70% of the foreigners are Americans.
Oslo as a turnaround port is economically very interesting for the city
In all, about 15,000 passengers will have used Oslo as a starting point for their cruise when the last "turn around" ship sails out of the fjord at 5 pm Saturday 9 July. Nine turn arounds in 2010 created approximately 10,000 hotel nights in Oslo. In addition to lodging, the cruise guests spent money on transportation, restaurants, shopping and local tourist attractions.
Oslo is missing a terminal
It is desirable that Oslo develops a terminal to ensure even more professional turn around operations with control systems for baggage and passengers, check-in, waiting area with toilets, etc. But even without a permanent terminal building with all facilities, Oslo has still managed to pull off an effective change of 2,300 passengers. When a ship arrives at 7 am, it is emptied by 9.30 am. Shortly after, the ship is made ready to welcome 2,300 new passengers on board, ready to sail from Oslo at 5 p.m. precisely.
The Agency for Planning and Building Services has conducted an assessment of future cruise piers in Oslo. It also points to the need for a terminal in one of the main cruise docks of Oslo.
The ports we like to compare ourselves with, such as Copenhagen and Stockholm, have had turn around terminals for years and are now adding additional terminal buildings for this purpose. This has increased cruise traffic and turnarounds. It is certainly more pleasant for passengers to arrive at a professional terminal rather than a tent.
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