After months of conversations and deliberations with top executives of the Pullman Cruise Line, the Aruba Tourism Authority is pleased to announce and celebrate another important milestone for our tourism industry, especially for our cruise tourism.
The government of Aruba, the Aruba Tourism Authority and the Aruba Ports Authority, diligently working together, has succeeded in getting a commitment from the prestigious Pullman Company to include Aruba on their itinerary and in a rather large manner.
Aruba is one of the destinations in high demand in the Caribbean, nevertheless during the so-called low season, cruise lines send their ships to other regions resulting in Aruba receiving a very limited number of cruise ships during the low season. This, by the way, is the same for the entire Caribbean region. For this reason, very clever and strong negotiations are required to get these cruise lines to visit during a time when they would normally not do so.
Pullmantur has committed to visit Aruba’s port practically every week with 48 visits during 2013 and with 52 calls in 2014. This is a major milestone especially because it includes our low season.
Pullmantur will make 26 calls both in 2013 and 2014. In addition, Aruba will also serve as “home port.” This means that passengers can board and disembark here, thanks to the natural advantage for easy flight connectivity from Aruba.
Together with the 8 visits scheduled from Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines during the 2013 low season and Pullmantur’s calls, we will receive a total of 34 additional calls for the low season. This results in a growth from 44.822 passengers in 2012 to 136.062 passengers in the 2013 low season. This is equivalent to a record growth of 86.101 passengers and 34 calls in this period.
Certainly, something unique and historic for Aruba! In 2013 Pullmantur will make 12 calls with their Horizon ship which carries 1.828 passengers and a crew of 620 members, and 36 calls with Monarch of the Seas which carries 2.733 passengers and 860 crew members.
Monarch of the Seas will return in 2014 with 52 calls. The ships itinerary will include Cartagena, La Guaira, Curacao and Panama.
ATA is extremely pleased with this agreement and pledges to continue working with their partners to achieve even more growth for Aruba with a special focus on the other cruise and tourism seasons as well.
