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San Francisco expects to break 2014 cruise record in 2015

Jay Ach
Princess Cruises - main caller with year-round homeporting
The Port of San Francisco chalked up a record cruise year in 2014, highlighted by the opening of the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 in September. 2015 is expected to top 2014.

Last year the port hosted 73 calls and 256,410 passengers, breaking the previous high mark of 223,615 set in 2006. Fifty-three calls were at Pier 35, and 20 at Pier 27.

A dozen cruise lines visited San Francisco. Princess Cruises led with the most calls (46), followed by Celebrity Cruises (nine) and Norwegian Cruise Line (four). Cunard, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises each made two calls. And P&O Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Costa Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, NYK Cruises and Silversea Cruises each visited once.

Last year port marketing staff traveled to Los Angeles, Seattle and Florida for meetings with all the major cruise lines serving North America to promote San Francisco as a cruise destination, featuring the new Pier 27 terminal. The port is a member of Cruise the West and an executive partner of Cruise Lines International Association.

Princess continues to provide year-round homeport service. Top targets for expanded service include Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity, Norwegian and Holland America, according to Michael Nerney, maritime marketing manager for the port.

San Francisco forecasts 81 cruise calls and 300,000 passengers in 2015. Seventy calls are planned at Pier 27, and 11 at Pier 35.

In September the port will host its first 'floating hotel' ship charter, when Celebrity Infinity will be alongside for six days (Sept. 13-18) in connection with the annual Salesforce convention.

The 2015 cruise schedule is here.