Small Town News

Lewes could become cruise ship port of call

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Cruisers have already started airing out their steamer trunks after hearing that the Delaware Tourism Office is courting operators of small, luxury cruise ships to make Lewes a stop on their East Coast itineraries.

"We think that Lewes should be the next port of call for small cruise lines," said Heather Kenton, Delaware Tourism Office, tourism development leader.

Kenton recently gave the Lewes Chamber of Commerce an overview of potential benefits of making Lewes a cruise destination

The tourism office has developed a Cruise Lewes travel concept that could bring 100 passengers per ship ashore in the city.

She said several cruise vessels travel along the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay. In Maryland, ports of call include Cambridge and St. Michaels. East Coast ship stops also include Charleston, S.C., and Nantucket, R.I.

She said Delaware could receive an estimated $600,000 a year in revenue.

Kenton said cruise ship passengers typically spend about 10 hours ashore - dining, shopping, sightseeing and taking part in recreational activities.

She said on average, each cruise visitor spends about $100 while they're ashore.

Kenton said cruiser tourism wouldn't adversely affect traffic in the resort area because passengers usually travel by foot, bicycle or shuttle service.

She said cruise passengers spend an estimated $18 billion a year in the United States, and for 20 years cruising has been the fastest-growing sector of the travel industry.

Kenton said under the proposed concept, an elite class of small cruise ships - typically 170 feet to 280 feet in length, with drafts of about 7 feet - would tie up at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal.

She said the ships are smaller than Cape May-Lewes Ferry vessels, which are more than 300 feet.

Stakeholders - Lewes-area business owners/operators who might benefit from cruise liner visits - will meet Thursday, Aug. 13, to hear additional details about the concept.





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