News & Interest

Gansett Cruises expands cruise ship bookings for 2009 season

03/19/09
Newport, Rhode Island. After two successful seasons piloting Newport’s newest tour boat, Captain Jeff O’Brien of Gansett Cruises of Newport, Rhode Island has announced that for the Fall 2009 season, he has renewed and expanded his partnership with Destination New England (DNE), the east coast’s leading destination management company. In the coming season, Gansett Cruises is booking an even greater number of harbor tours than before for guests arriving on Princess Cruises, Cunard Line and for the first time, for guests aboard the Atlantica, a 2,680-passenger vessel operated by Costa Cruises. To date, the additional reservations add up to a 55% increase in cruise ships’ business for the popular M/V Gansett.

Another really nice image.

Although each liner disembarks thousands of day-passengers in Newport, only a select few will be fortunate enough to take advantage of the limited seats available for Gansett Cruises narrated harbor tour. The M/V Gansett, a vintage Maine-built wooden vessel that O’Brien restored in 2006, circles the harbor and motors by the giant ships as they lie at anchor in Narragansett Bay. As a prelude to the boat ride, the guests take an hour-long narrated motorcoach tour of Newport and the scenic Ocean Drive.

Gansett’s tour commentary and its level of service on its harbor tours match the high standards that are the hallmark of the cruise line industry. For 2009, Gansett Cruises is the “Official Tour Boat” for Coastal Living’s Newport Regatta®. In 2008, Gansett Cruises was recognized with an “Editor’s Pick” in the BEST OF issue of Newport Life Magazine.

The company made its mark on the industry in 2007 by offering what it calls “harbor tours with a different view.” O’Brien, a 25-year veteran of the upscale charter boat industry says, “The crew and I like to give every person the feeling you get from being a guest aboard a luxury yacht, even though they’re only aboard for 90 minutes. We want to make the narration and the boat ride memorable for everyone.” The M/V Gansett, which offers daily tours and private charters, is U.S.C.G. certified for 48 passengers and provides modern amenities aboard.

Currently, the 2009 schedule lists Princess Cruises with 14 calls in Newport, the Cunard Line, with 3 calls for the Queen Victoria and the Queen Mary2, and Costa Cruises with 3 calls.

www.gansettcruises.com

PHOTO CREDIT – Onne van der Wal, Newport

Full cruise ship schedule of all arrivals for 2009

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