On December 17, 2020, Cruise Bordeaux Association became an independent entity with its own budget. Laurence Bouchardie (coordinator) said that would facilitate their actions and "make things smoother and more efficient."
For the past ~15 years, Bordeaux' Chamber of Commerce, city and seaport have been working together to promote the city of Bordeaux as a destination to the cruise companies, attending events like Seatrade Miami.
From 2012, more time has been invested in the marketing group and the cruise port was named coordinator of Cruise Bordeaux group. Until last year, marketing expenses were shared, events hosted by Seatrade, CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and Cruise Europe, were attended and new marketing tools, like cruise dedicated brochures and a website, were developed.
From 2012 to 2020, the small group grew to a total of 12 members, which currently includes the pilots’ association, Region Nouvelle Aquitaine, Gironde department, and all local cities which operate riverboat cruise berths, such as Libourne, Pauillac and Royan.
In the meantime, cruise ship calls developed from 20 to 60 per year (pre-COVID figure), and from 1 to 5 river cruise ships homeported in Bordeaux.
The purpose of the Cruise Bordeaux association is to promote and develop maritime and river cruise ship calls in the port and on the estuary, promote the local day cruises, coordinate the local stakeholders’ actions, make sure the environmental stakes are taken into account in the cruise activities.
The association has a president and 2 vice presidents which change every 2 years.