The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Miami, take a hike. Hasta la vista, Barcelona.
Norfolk ranked first in the country and second in the world, behind only Venice, Italy, in Royal Caribbean International's most recently released weekly passenger ratings of ports, city officials crowed Monday.
"Since day one, we've really gone out of our way to put the emphasis on the passenger," said Stephen Kirkland, managing director of Cruise Norfolk, the city department that manages the 2 -year-old Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center. That, he said, covers everything from minimizing waits for security screening to peppering guests with welcomes.
The rating reflected the comments of up to 4,800 passengers who ended or began a Caribbean cruise on the Grandeur of the Seas in Norfolk on May 30.
Norfolk's Half Moone center has placed in Royal Caribbean's top five in customer satisfaction since early May, Kirkland said.
During the week that Norfolk came in second, Port Canaveral, Fla., was third; Miami, fifth; Barcelona, ninth; and Los Angeles, 10th.
- Philip Walzer
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Norfolk is ok as a Departure Port
I cruised out of Norfolk during the summer of 2008 on a Royal Caribbean ship. It was easy getting dropped off and handlers were waiting for our luggage. The terminal was nice. The person checking me in was too slow. She needed more computer training. I wanted to get on the ship and head to that buffet, but I had to wait and wait for check-in. Get us on the ship faster. We do not care to hang out in a line in the terminal and talk to workers who are slowly checking us in. Getting off the ship was efficient – no complaints.
There is the lack of cruises this year during the school break. I am paying to fly to another port this summer to catch a cruise. I prefer to leave out of Norfolk and save on airfare. Our ship last summer was sold out. What is the problem booking more cruises from Norfolk during school vacation periods? Families with school aged children take cruises. Hampton Roads can draw passengerts and sell out ships.
Don't be hatin' on Cruise Ranking
Geeeez. Some of you posters need to chill out! Why so negative? Just relax and enjoy the ranking. Must you be so down on where you live, even when the news is "good" you've got to find some reason to criticize. A sure way to drop on the ranking would be to have those cruise visitors read these posts.
here we go again
Some of you never cease to amaze me with your ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Aalto. I mean, come on. Have you ever actually cruised from Norfolk, Venice, or Ft. Lauderdale? What would you know about their port facilities? I've been out of Half Moone Bay, and it's a magnificent facility with first-class personnel. And don't you imagine that the satisfaction survey questions are in the exact same format for each port since Royal C. issued all surveys in question?!? Face it, the survey process is a fair one, and we scored well for a reason.
Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center
Yah for Half Moone. What I took away from the article was that the survey was about "customer service". Lets take time to celebrate that customer service reigns supreme in Norfolk. Kudos to Cruise Norfolk, the DNC Safety Ambassadors and the staff at Nauticus and The Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau who all play a part in making customer service at Half Moone a top priority. The city made a huge commitment and has organizations who stand behind the scenes and make it work for all the citizens. As the word spreads, so the business will follow.
Glory!
I'm definitely planning a cruise on the Carnival Glory. Sailed her 3 times in the last 2 years, out of Port Canaveral. Beautiful ship and wonderful crew.
The Norfolk experience was GREAT.
My wife and I were on that ship(may21-30) for a 9 day cruise with approximately 2200 passangers (not including crew) and the ship went right back out that evening filled. Everyone we spoke with were completely thrilled with the Norfolk experience. We have also sailed from other ports and being locals this was by far the best experience we've had anywhere. To any of you "Worldly" sailors that only see negatives in Norfolk all I can say is you are probably the type that would complain if you received a gift of one million dollars in nickels. I will agree they need more ships leaving then are currently scheduled but with some positive input lets all hope it will lead to that. I for one would be more than happy to be able to sail from Norfolk everytime I was heading on a cruise.
So Much Negativity
Wow, there are so many people that are just itching to post a negative comment and find excuses to complain. Here's a news flash: Norolk aint Florida, never will be, and nobody ever claimed it would be; so quit trying to make the comparisons. Obviously they would love to have more cruises depart from here, and I'm sure that customer satisfaction results such as this will help towards that effort. There are a multitude of factors that go into cruise lines making these decisions, and such scheduling decisions are made well over a year in advance. I've seen the Norfolk departures go up and down over the years, but this new facility and high rating could well lead to better results down the road. Why are so many people always looking to spew the negative any time something new is attempted. Norfolk Old Timers need to realize you can't hold on to 1957 forever.
Norfolk # 2 for Cruise Line Passengers
I do believe that Norfolk is a WONDERFUL CITY and that it is a fabulous place to visit and for the ease of embarkation. Realistically, I think that the results of the survey are skewed by the population to whom the survey was administered. However, I think that the results can still be used to promote Norfolk to a wider range of cruise lines -- I was very disappointed when Holland-America pulled out of the Norfolk port. I have done several cruises and there are not many places where you pull into the heart of a city!
I get the impression this is
I get the impression this is sort of a "customer satisfaction" survey on how the passengers experience was with the staff, service and system at the port itself, not anything about Norfolk as a destination.
Cruises out of Norfolk...
Last year we took the Grandeur of the Seas out of Norfolk to Bermuda. It was a wonderful experience. It was the most organized cruise I've been on and enjoyed it the moment we left home 'til we arrived home. We were told that they would probably be using Balimore more. I hope they will reconsider and leave out of Norfolk and have more areas to visit.
Out of Florida, it wasn't as nice since you fly in and then have to shuttle from wherever, etc.
Congrats on Norfolk being selected #2.....let's go for #1!!!!!!