Passengers and crew spent an estimated $171.1m while ashore in 2017. The average spending per passenger and crew was $300, a 30% increase from 2016.
This shows the highest spending among all continental US ports, and second stateside only to Honolulu.
Passengers with an overnight stay spent an average of $547 during their two-night stay, an increase of 2.5% from 2016. $304 went to lodging and $75 to food and beverages.
Passengers with pre- and post- cruise stays spent a total of $142.8m, 34% more than in 2016.
Some 96% of transit passengers were estimated to have gone ashore and visited the city. Transit passengers were estimated to have spent an average of $145 per passenger and a total of $6.2m. Their greatest spending was on tours, followed by restaurants and bars, and, in order, unspecified other purchases, clothing, entertainment/nightclubs/casinos, museums, taxis/ground transport and watches/jewelry.
People from outside New York City and the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) continue to represent the majority of cruisers. Twenty-three percent of embarking cruise passengers reside in the tri-state area.
Overall, on a five-point scale, 79% of embarking passengers were satisfied with their overall visit to New York.
Business Research & Economic Advisors conducted the study for the New York City Economic Development Corp.
The survey period was October through December 2017 and involved 1,594 passengers and 625 crew. Ships surveyed were Crystal Serenity, Disney Magic, Veendam, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Gem, Insignia, Queen Mary 2 and Seven Seas Navigator.
The full economic impact study is here.
