More Cruise Ships to Visit Panama

Since Panama signed an agreement with cruise ships companies, which are members of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association in October 2000, the arrival of passengers to the Panamanian ports of Gatun, Colon 2000, Cristobal, Balboa, Fuerte Amador and Kuna Yala has increased, which confirm the status of the country as an established tourist destination.

So far Panama has made agreements with some 20 cruise lines, which means that at least 40 cruise ships list the country as a destination. Some of the lines that visit Panamanian waters are Carnival Corporation, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line Cruises and P&O Cruises.

The manager of Puerto Colon 2000, Augusto Terracina said that the new port infrastructures currently under construction, will be finished in December of this year and will be able to receive the Royal Caribbean cruise ship “Enchantment of the Seas” with its 1000 crew and 2,500 passengers.

Panama will be the port of origin for the Enchantment and will allow travelers coming from South America and Europe to cruise around the Caribbean, without having to go to a U.S. port or needing a U.S. visa. Terracina said that the collaboration of Royal Caribbean and Copa airlines is vital for the success of the project.