MSC Cruises will be adding Cork to four new itineraries next summer giving passengers the opportunity to embark and disembark MSC Lirica in Cork for the first time.

Lorenzo Diamantini, director of sales for Ireland and Northern Ireland MSC Cruises, said: “The company is featuring the two ports [Cork and Dublin] due to the incredible growth it has experienced in the Irish market over the last three years. By positioning one of our ships in Cork, we can give many more local passengers the opportunity to experience the superb itineraries on offer.” 

Amsterdam is expecting 84 turnaround calls in 2012 compared to 58 this year, a 45% increase.

Amsterdam will witness its 1,000th call to the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) during 2011, says Dick de Graaff, commercial manager PTA.

A number of member ports benefited from Christmas calls in December as passengers visited Christmas markets.

Passenger Terminal Amsterdam has introduced valet parking.

Amsterdam and IJmuiden played host to Cruise Europe’s annual general assembly last week.