The Historic Port of New Bedford 2011 Summer Cruise Schedule

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Picture this cruise destination:  It’s on an islands itinerary for cruise ships, but it’s not an island. Its beaches surround a city where the natives wear deck boots, not sandals. You’ll hear sea chanteys, not steel drums. And you’ll discover that sea creatures are really people who are lovingly preserving the maritime heritage of this unrivaled destination.

The Port of New Bedford is famous for its whaling persona of yesteryear that lives on in the Whaling National Historical Park and the world class Whaling Museum. Today, the fame and riches of the #1 fishing port in the nation derive from the active fishing fleet that brings home to the working waterfront the catch to be processed and shipped around the globe.

american cruise lines new bedford guideIt is this unique balance of the then and the now that makes New Bedford a must-see stop for cruise ships such as American Cruise Lines and Blount Small Ship Adventures. During the highly successful summer 2010 cruise season, over 1500 passengers from these cruise lines came ashore to experience New Bedford’s ongoing love affair with the sea. And both lines are swelling
their number of visits for the 2011 season.

Working Waterfront
“Our passengers love New Bedford because it’s an authentic New England seaport,” says Tim Beebe, vice resident of marketing for American Cruise Lines, which has been coming here since 2000. “They are looking for a cultural experience and enjoy seeing the fishing fleet and the fishermen at work.”

Captain Jeff Pontiff, a presence on the waterfront for decades, has escorted 27,000 passengers around New Bedford harbor during the 12 seasons he has operated Whaling City Expeditions.  “Because our boat is small – it holds 26 at capacity – we can go in and out of the piers. They can view the fishing fleet, watch the offshore loading, check out the hurricane barrier and even get to see up close the shipyards in Fairhaven.” “It’s good to have the cruise ships come to New Bedford because it showcases what we’re all about,” Jeff maintains. “The working waterfront defines New Bedford best. We’re one of the last working waterfronts in New England.”

blount cruise new bedford guideOperations Manager Erika Moore describes the experience for those aboard Blount Small Ship Adventures. “This past summer, most passengers visited the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Whaling National Historical Park. They were escorted to the site by a Park Ranger on an educational walking tour, which made the experience that more memorable. Some passengers chose to walk around the city on their own, visiting shops and galleries. “All had positive things to say,” she continues. “They enjoyed being docked right in the heart of downtown and being able to experience the fishermen at work. They appreciated the welcoming by the city, and many were surprised and pleased at the growing arts scene and the many new restaurants, galleries and shops.”

Celebrating Americana
American Cruise Lines and Blount Small Ship Adventures credit the Harbor Development Commission and Mayor Scott Lang with being instrumental in bringing the cruise ships to New Bedford. “Everyone has been extremely helpful,” notes Erika. “We have worked closely with executive director Kristin Decas and Angela Johnston of the HDC, as well as State Pier Manager Rick Cunio. I had the pleasure of meeting Mayor Lang last spring while we were developing our New Bedford visits. Overseeing the logistics of a true working waterfront and cruise port, in a city that is undergoing a revitalization, and to take into account the needs of all parties can’t be easy.

Mayor Lang and the HDC seem to be doing a great job in finding this balance of appealing to the small ship cruise lines, while preserving the fishing and maritime industry that is the heart and soul of the city. That authenticity is appealing, I think, to both our inquisitive passengers and to the people of New Bedford.” Jeff agrees, saying, “It’s great that the city is putting forth so much effort and doing such a great job of promoting the city. We’re also reaching out to yacht clubs and recreational sailors to have them make New Bedford one of their layovers.”

“No place has friendlier and more hospitable people than New Bedford,” says Mayor Lang, “and we’re always delighted to welcome visitors and show them around. Whether they’re interested in learning about our whaling history or understanding what it takes to bring seafood from the ocean to their plate, they will discover the City to be an authentic American experience and their time in New Bedford as the crest of the wave.”

Looking Ahead
Noting that the summer 2010 cruise season was a high-water mark, Kristin calls the visits a jewel in the crown of the Commission’s work to make the harbor more accessible to all boating interests. “We are looking forward to an even more successful season in 2011,” she says. “We see our relationships with the cruise lines as a beautiful friendship that will last for many years to come and give more and more people the opportunity to experience New Bedford.”

Tim says that New Bedford has been so “welcoming and accommodating” that American Cruise Lines is adding stops and staying longer next summer. “We’re increasing our fleet and the size of our ships so we’ll be making 20 stops and bringing more passengers in 2011.” “Blount has five visits scheduled,” adds Erika. “We started with four, but our Islands of New England itinerary is proving to be one of our most popular for the summer of 2011, so we just recently added a fifth! New Bedford’s rich history, from whaling to the Underground Railroad, and its downtown revitalization and vibrant arts and culinary scene, make it a natural fit.”

Contact the HDC to learn more: Visit www.portofnewbedford.org; call 508.961.3000; email hdc@newbedford-ma.org.
American Cruise LInes/ Blount Small Ship Adventures New Bedford Cruise Ship Schedule- 2011
Ship’s Particulars:
Grande Caribe: Length: 184’ Draft: 6’6”
American Star: 205 ft.
American Spirit: 205 ft.
American Glory: 166 ft.
Independence: 215 ft.

Schedule listed like this: Vessel, Arrival, Departure.

American Glory New Bedford Guide
The American Glory

Independence: Sun. May 22, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Tue. May 24, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
Independence: Sat. May 28, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. May 30, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Star: Sun. Jun. 19, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Tue. Jun. 21, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Star: Sat. Jun. 25, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Jun. 27, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Star: Sat. Jul. 2, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Jul. 4, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Glory: Mon. Jul. 4, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Wed. Jul. 6, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Star: Sat. Jul. 9, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Jul. 11, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Glory: Mon. Jul. 11, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Wed. Jul. 13, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Star: Sat. Jul. 16, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Jul. 18, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Glory: Mon. Jul. 18, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Wed. Jul. 20, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Star: Sat. Jul. 23, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Jul. 25, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
Grande Caribe: Sat. July 30, 2011, 8:00 a.m. Sat. July 30, 2011, 1:30 p.m.
American Star: Sat. Jul. 30, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Aug. 1, 2011, 3:00 a.m..
Grande Caribe: Sat. Aug 6, 2011, 8:00 am Sat. Aug. 6, 2011, 1:30 pm
American Star: Sat. Aug. 6, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Aug. 8, 2011, 3:00 a.m
Grande Caribe: Sat. August 13, 2011, 8:00 am Sat. August 13, 2011, 1:30 pm
American Star: Sat. Aug. 13, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Aug. 15, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
Grande Caribe: Sat. August 20, 2011, 8:00 am Sat. August 20, 2011, 1:30 p.m.
American Star: Sat. Aug. 20, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Aug. 22, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
Grande Caribe: Sat. Aug. 27, 2011, 8:00 am Sat. August 27, 2011, 1:30 p.m.
American Star: Sat. Aug. 27, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Aug. 29, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Star: Sat. Sep. 3, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Sep. 5, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Star: Sat. Sep. 10, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Sep. 12, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Star: Sat. Sep. 17, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Sep. 19, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Star: Sat. Sep. 24, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Mon. Sep. 26, 2011, 3:00 a.m.
American Glory: Mon. Sep. 26, 2011, 9:00 p.m. Wed. Sep. 28, 2011, 3:00 a.m

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