The improvements come as Singapore’s cruise industry continues to see strong growth potential, with year-on-year growth in 2013 reaching 13%, according to the Singapore Tourism Board.
Comprising a mix of infrastructural as well as process improvements, the enhancements include: the installation of a fourth passenger boarding bridge; the addition of two new X-ray machines in the arrival hall to increase customs screening throughput; doubling the luggage trollies available for passenger use to 800 and the removal of the feature wall at the level 1 Arrival Hall Lobby to expand the passenger holding area and improve passenger flow.
New embarkation check-in counters have also been added, whilst the luggage conveyor system is increased to handling 1,200 bags per hour, up from 400.
MBCC has also worked with taxi drivers to ensure better availability, the launch of a mobile application which has seen over 2,000 drivers sign up to date for notifications of incoming cruise ships and modifications to the taxi stand to improve turnaround time in passenger traffic during peak periods and expanded queuing space for passengers.
Bob Chi, ceo SATS-Creuers said, ‘we worked closely with all our stakeholders – including government agencies, cruise lines, their handlers – to implement this suite of improvements. We are confident they will provide passengers a seamless experience, while also positioning ourselves for future growth.'
Also assisting access to and from MBCC is a new MRT (metro) station located 250mtr from the terminal which started operations on November 23. With the launch of Marina South Pier station, guests and crew can now easily access almost any area in Singapore at an affordable rate.
In the financial year ended March 31, 2014, SATS-Creuers welcomed nearly 110 ship calls at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, up from 82 a year before. Passenger numbers grew to 416,000 compared to 230,000 for the same corresponding period in 2013.
This season sees Sapphire Princess homeporting at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, for her debut in Asia. MSC Orchestra and Costa Serena will also use MBCC for their maiden calls in Singapore. Other ships calling include Mariner of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Diamond Princess, Pacific Princess, Albatross, Costa Victoria, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Century, Crystal Symphony, Silver Wind and Queen Mary 2, informs Norma de la Fuente, head of marketing and business development, SATS-Creuers.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited. Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.
