The Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development
George A. Cassidy, Executive Director/Cruise Line Scheduling & Operations
The Connecticut Cruise Ship Task Force, Inc.
37 Noyes Avenue
Stonington, CT 06378
Telephone: Toll-Free (866) 646-6161 Local:(860) 535-9871 FAX: (800) 506-1781
The Connecticut Cruise Ship Task Force (CCSTF) serves as the recruitment authority to bring and coordinate cruise ship visits to ports within the State of Connecticut. This organization acts as the link between private and public interests to promote the development of cruise ship passenger visits to the State.
The CCSTF, a tax exempt 501 (c) (6) organization, facilitates positive relationships between cruise lines and the State of Connecticut. This Task Force works with the cruise industry and port-related federal, state and local government agencies to promote the development of cruise ship visits to the State of Connecticut.
It is the aim of the CCSTF to increase tourism by cruise ship passengers while in port, encourage return visits and positive word-of-mouth promotion of the State of Connecticut through port-calls made by cruise ship visits within the state and to educate all interested parties who may benefit from these visits.
National Homeland Security Knowledgebase
THE BEST VIEWING LOCATIONS TO WATCH CRUISE SHIPS
ENTER AND LEAVE THE PORT OF NEW LONDON, CT:
GROTON, CT: Fort Griswold
NEW LONDON, CT: Fort Trumbull & City Pier
WHAT'S COMING and WHAT'S BEEN HERE?
Royal Caribbean brought their large EXPLORER OF THE SEAS here on July 4th and August 1st.
Princess Cruises brought their new ms ROYAL PRINCESS here
on September 25, 1100 -1800 hrs. and again on September 27, 0700 - 1300 hrs. Due to Hurrican Kyle the ship left two hours earlier than her scheuled 1500 hrs departure to stay ahead of the storm.
m/s Royal Princess also called here on October 17, 1100 - 1730 hrs., October 19, 0700 - 1300 hrs.
The last port-call of the season saw m/s Royal Princess here on November 6, 1100 - 1730 hrs.
Lindblad Expedition's m/s NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER, carrying about 148 passengers and 76 staff & crew made a port-call here on Monday, 29 September at 0800 hrs. Passengers visited the Mystic area for arranged shore excursions. The ship departed for New York City 2300 hrs.
Dates and hours of all port-calls are subject to change.
ARE YOU A CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER WISHING TO MEET UP WITH A FRIEND IN NEW LONDON OR ARE YOU COMING HERE TO MEET A PASSENGER?
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE STEPS OF A SUCESSFUL MEET!
You will want to come to ADMIRAL HAROLD E. SHEAR STATE PIER. To access State Pier – South on I-95 to Exit #84 (at the end of the Gold Star Bridge) – stay to the left on the exit ramp following signs for Downtown New London. Proceed to the first light – Crystal Ave – turn left onto Crystal Ave. Proceed to first stop light – State Pier Road - turn right onto State Pier Road. Proceed to Security Stop point – identify yourself as there to meet cruise ship passengers. Our staff will direct you to a parking lot. Your friends (passengers) will be directed as they leave the ship to proceed to that parking lot. Should any members of that party have mobility issues they should speak with one of the Connecticut Cruise Ship Task Force staff (they all are wearing bright yellow jackets or shirts) on the pier and they will assist. From downtown New London there are many signs directing you to State Pier.
Please remember to make sure your guests have returned to the ship at least one hour before the published departure. Since they are not on a ship - sponsored shore excursion, the ship is not required to wait for them should they not be aboard at sailing time.
Holland America Line's ms Maasdam made a port-call here on Wednesday, May 9th. Scheduled to arrive here at 0900, the ship was delayed by poor weather at sea and arrived at 11:30 hrs. Passengers were able to make all scheduled shore excursions and visit the City of New London as the ship extended her port-call here to 2100 hrs.
The next port-call by Holland America Line's ms Maasdam was 15 October 2007 from 0900 - 1800 hours.
Another cruise ship of the Holland America Line, the ms Veendam, a sister ship of Maasdam, made a port call here on September 28, 2007 from 1100 - 2000 hours. This port-call will marked the first time this ship has entered Connecticut waters.
Royal Caribbean International's EXPLORER OF THE SEAS made port-calls in New London on September 1, 15, 29 and October 13. All port-calls were from 0700-1900hrs with the exception of the September 29th port-call which was from 0700- 1400 hrs.
EXPLORER OF THE SEAS is a very large ship that carries 3,114 passengers, 1,185 crew, is 1,020 feet in length, 157.5 wide, has a gross tonnage of 139,000 tons and a draft of 29 feet.
The MAASDAM, VEENDAM and EXPLORER OF THE SEAS visits marked the first time in this port's history that three different, major cruise ships have called here in one year with a total of seven port-calls.
A sharp-looking and newly refurbished ms MAASDAM made a port-call in Connecticut's Port-of-New London on Friday, May 5, 2006.
Bringing over 1000 passengers and 650 crew, this luxury ship, one of thirteen in the Holland America Fleet, was welcomed not only by a rousing Naval Cannon Salute and a concert by the Nutmeg Fife & Drum Corps, but also by great weather and positive passenger feedback.
Holland America Line officials have indicated that they will return to Connecticut in both May, September and October of 2007 and again in 2008.
Have your staff or ship's agent contact George Cassidy and let us know the date of your desired port-call.
We'll reserve that date and the pier is yours for the day!
Our pier is 1,000' long, more than 200' wide with 35' in depth at MLW.
It is easy to get to and tugs are not required for berthing.
CLICK HERE TO EMAIL George Cassidy or telephone toll-free 866 646-6161 Within CT call 860-535-9871.
WHAT IS THERE TO ACTUALLY DO AND SEE IN NEW LONDON? VISIT NEW LONDON MAIN STREET!!
Visit MYSTIC COAST & COUNTRY'S Web Site!
Visit SOUTHEASTERN CT ENTERPRISE REGION'S (seCTer) Web Site!
Visit the CITY of NEWPORT, RI!
Visit ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINES!
Visit LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS and m/s National Geographic Explorer!
VISIT THE SUBMARINE VETERANS MEMORIAL IN GROTON, CT!
Read the NEW LONDON DAY Newspaper on-line!
Members of the working media may be granted access to the State Pier property only if we have their required identification on file within 24 hours of a passenger ship arrival.
Media access to a passenger vessel at State Pier can ONLY be arranged if we submit your request within one week of the ship's arrival here.
Please submit your request to our offices by calling (866) 646-6161 or emailing to ct_cruise_ship@sbcglobal.net . Final approval for a media visit aboard is made by the cruise line. Information required by the cruise line is; full legal name, date of birth, citizenship status, a driver's license number with issuing state and your employer.