The port of Palamós expects 30 cruise ship visits and 38,000 passengers during 2012
The port of Palamós has launched its 2012 cruise season during which it is expecting 30 cruise ship visits and 38,000 passengers. This year is marked by the arrival of the company Crystal Cruises and it will be the first time that Palamós has been a port of call for the cruise ships Seabourn Sojourn, Crystal Serenity, Balmoral, Black Watch and MSC Lirica.
During the 2012 season, the port of Palamós is expecting 30 visits from cruise ships and 38,000 passengers. One of this year’s highlights is the arrival of larger cruise ships. Of the cruise liners expected in the 30 visits, 90% will be carrying more than 1,000 passengers aboard. With this move, Palamós continues to strengthen its position as a Mediterranean port of call for cruise ships, consolidating cruise activity on the Costa Brava and continuing to reinforce its position in the international cruise market.
A new arrival in the port of Palamós this year is the US company Crystal Cruises, which joins the other US cruise ship operators that have been visiting Palamós over the past years, such as the company Seabourn Cruises.
The companies Mediterranean Shipping Cruises (MSC), Seabourn Cruise Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Island Cruises and Thomson Cruises have again renewed their commitment to Palamós, and cruise liners due to visit Girona for the first time this year include Crystal Serenity, Seabourn Sojourn, Balmoral, Black Watch and MSC Lirica.
The cruise ships Seabourn Legend, Thomson Dream, Thomson Spirit, Thomson Destiny, Island Escape and MSC Melody will be returning to the Costa Brava port again this year, bringing cruise tourists to visit the Girona counties’ historical and cultural heritage and its numerous tourist sights, to discover its varied cuisine and enjoy all kinds of leisure activities.
Once again, this year’s cruise season is becoming less dependent on seasonal factors and now begins in March, when in the past it did not start until April or May. The 2012 season ends in December, as it did last year. Thus, in two consecutive seasons both the start and end of the season have been extended, following the trend in the cruise industry of having more ships operating in winter in the Mediterranean. This means that new tourists can be attracted in the low season, which will help to revitalise the economy of the municipality and the region as a whole.