New Orleans Port welcomes its longest ship, Equinox
The longest and one of the most premium cruise ships ever to dock in New Orleans will sail into the Port’s Julia Street Cruise Terminal Sunday, Feb. 26, just in time for the finale of Mardi Gras festivities. The Celebrity Equinox, a 1,041-foot cruise ship christened in 2009, will make its first visit to the Port of New Orleans, remaining in Port through Feb. 28 – Mardi Gras Day. The ship’s length is equal to 3.47 football fields. “The Port is thrilled to welcome Celebrity Cruises back to New Orleans for an extended port call,” said Brandy Christian, Port President and CEO. Celebrity Equinox holds 2,850 passengers and is the longest cruise ship to berth in New Orleans to date.
Cruise Leaders to Meet in New Orleans
More than 150 leaders in the cruise industry from around the world will meet here this week, as the Port of New Orleans hosts the 2016 Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council Conference of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). Local elected officials and tourism leaders will meet with cruise executives from FCCA’s 19 Member Lines, along with key cruise tourism stakeholders, to update them on New Orleans' tourism economy, infrastructure and attractions. Presenters include Gary LaGrange, Port of New Orleans President and CEO; New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Iftikhar Ahmad, Director of Aviation, Louis Armstrong International Airport…
Port Security Unit Returns to U.S.
Coast Guard Port Security Unit 308, which supported Operation Enduring Freedom in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain, will returned to the United States. The PSU, which is stationed in Gulfport, Miss., will arrive between Concourse A and B in Louis Armstrong International Airport. They will immediately depart to the Courtyard by Marriott at 300 Julia Street for a reception. The PSU, commissioned into the Coast Guard in 1991, deployed to the Middle East in March under the command of Capt. Ronald L. Davis, commanding officer, and Lt. Cmdr. Robert Grassino, executive officer. Approximately 50 members protected American and allied shipping, provided harbor defense and port security to the vessels of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, and trained Navy personnel in port security operations.
