CCCB to handle 35% more cruise guests in 2016

Columbus Cruise Center Bremerhaven (CCCB) expects to handle around 35% more passengers in 2016 than in 2015.

As this figure is expected to rise by at least 25% in 2017, CCCB has recently made a number of internal infrastructure changes to ensure its terminal can cater for more passengers. To make baggage reclaim faster and easier, CCCB replaced the old baggage conveyor belts with a new system that allows ships’ own luggage trolleys to be transported directly to and from the terminal.

“With this passenger growth in mind, we have taken a very close look at our passenger handling processes,” said Veit Hürdler, CCCB’s managing director. “CCCB has always placed great importance on professional service, and for many years it has been well-equipped to deal with the turnarounds of several cruise vessels at one time. This winter we were able to implement optimisation measures for handling very large vessels.”

The port has also installed new, simpler information boards and navigational signage for passengers and a free wifi network, while the Columbus Cruise Café has launched a mobile catering service for passengers and bus and taxi drivers.

More internal infrastructure and customer service improvements will be carried out following a service quality certification process, which will conclude in June 2016.

This year, CCCB will also conduct a feasibility study into extending the passenger parking area at the front of the cruise terminal, or building a multi-storey car park.