2006 San Francisco cruise ship season expected to be big boon
to CIty

By Karli Bulnes, Bay City News Service

May 7, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - The Port of San Francisco anticipates smooth sailing for city residents, business owners and passengers aboard the more than 20 cruise ships that will dock at the city by the bay during the start of the 2006 cruise season.

More than 50,000 cruise ship passengers will arrive in San Francisco within a two week period that begins Monday and ends May 23, according to the port.

The port predicts their arrival will kick off the biggest cruise season in the city's history.

"We're extremely pleased that the port's cruise business has grown so effectively over the past two years," port Executive Director Monique Moyer said in a written statement. "We expect the 2006 cruise season to generate $60 million in economic benefit to the city."

In addition to revenue, the port also expects the influx of passengers will generate traffic at cruise terminal areas.

"As always, using public transportation is the recommended and most efficient method of travel along the Embarcadero," the port reported.

The port plans to place police officers and portable electronic traffic information signs at strategic locations along the Embarcadero to direct traffic.

It is also recommended that passengers and guests contact the cruise line directly to confirm the location of the ship and avoid confusion. The information is also available at http://www.sfport.com.

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