Cruise & Cruise Line

Cruise Lines Reach Usage Deal With NYC

Image: NCL Prima in NYC (photo courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line)
Image: NCL Prima in NYC (photo courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line)
TravelPulse Staff
by TravelPulse Staff
Last updated: 4:30 PM ET, Fri September 29, 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Carnival Corp.’s brands—which sail from the Manhattan and Brooklyn cruise terminals—have agreed to new usage agreements with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). These new agreements prioritize emission reductions, educational partnerships, and investment in businesses in the city.

Also agreed upon is the development of a local plan to prioritize outreach to Minority Women Owned Business Enterprises. Cruise lines agreed to develop relationships with local educational institutions and participate in at least one career fair and one networking event annually.

NYCEDC is a nonprofit working toward a globally competitive economy in the city. It expects a record 1.3 million passengers to sail through the two cruise terminals in 2023. The NYCEDC projects the cruise industry has an economic impact of $420 million per year in New York, with cruise-related spending from passengers and crew supporting 2,667 jobs. Roughly 2,000 of these jobs are from tourism-adjacent industries.

The agreement includes cruise lines contributing $1 per passenger to a new fund to address community priorities in the neighborhoods directly surrounding the cruise terminals, namely Red Hook, Brooklyn, and midtown Manhattan. Another aspect includes NYCEDC partnering with cruise lines on ground transportation planning. The cruise lines have agreed to reduce emissions and work toward a goal to ensure all ships calling in New York are equipped with shore power connections by 2028.

The new usage agreements replace current agreements with individual cruise lines. Each usage agreement ranges in duration from three to 15 years, with the option for five-year renewals.


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