Page 26 - Sphere No.23 (Dec 2008)

24 SPHERE
traverse from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans instead of going
down the coast, around Cape Horn and back up again.
Impressive engineering feat though it is, the Panama Canal is
way too narrow to accommodate the colossal new cruise ships.
Instead, the giant ships dock at facilities such as the Cristobal
Cruise Terminal Pier 6, which has regular visits from 11 of the
world’s major cruise lines.
“We are proud to have received approximately 1.8 million
visitors and nearly 800 vessels since Pier 6 began operations,”
says Lisa Ballesteros, Cruise Terminal Manager for the Panama
Ports Company. “The cruise terminal, strategically located at
the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal, is a favourite of
the cruise market with two berths dedicated to cruise opera-
tions capable of handling the largest cruise vessels in the world.
Since her maiden voyage in 2005, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is a
frequent visitor.”
Visitors disembarking for the day can choose a variety of dai-
ly tours, from visiting the Panama Canal to the Panama Canal
Railway experience. Among the attractions within the Cristobal
complex is an arts and crafts centre featuring some 300 crafts-
men who sell their products directly to visitors. There are also
20 duty free stores, a concierge service and cultural exhibits.
These kinds of top-notch facilities are becoming essential for
ports to lure modern cruise ships. Passengers are treated regally
on board and have come to expect the same kind of luxury and ef-
ficiency when they walk down the gangway for their shore visit.
Most people opt for cruises that last from a weekend to a cou-
ple of weeks; a small minority are so hooked on the high-sea
Never a dull moment: Dancers in Panama, the
Strawmarket in the Bahamas, docking in
Panama and a Mexican Miriachi band.
of Florida visit our island either on their cruise departure or
just before their return into port,” adds Ms Rodgers. “The port
itself is beautifully landscaped and provides a very relaxing at-
mosphere for passengers. They also have the option of tours
that include kayaking, dolphin-watching, snorkelling, coastal
cruises around the island or going out on glass-bottom boats.”
Proximity to the United States also benefits ports on the Pa-
cific coast. Ships leaving California can head down the coast
from US cities and within a short time dock at destinations in
Mexico and Panama that offer passengers a totally different cul-
tural experience.
“The Port of Ensenada is conveniently located close to two
major hub airports in the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego,
therefore the passengers can travel from almost any part from
the US to take a short cruise trip to Mexico,” says Rogelio Va-
lenzuela, Marketing Manager at Ensenada Cruiseport Village,
just 60 miles from the US border. “Cruise passengers can visit
the main wine region of Mexico which is just 40 minutes away,
visit a blow hole, or enjoy the high quality Mexican cuisine
found in Ensenada.
“There is also the option of heading into the desert by quad
bike, going on horse riding trips as well as many other sightsee-
ing itineraries. The most special characteristic of Ensenada is
that it is close to the United States. Ensenada allows a chance to
experience a Mexican city, with its particular type of wine and
cuisine and the local old cultures.”
Around four ships a week arrive on the shorter-trip itinerar-
ies and plans are being drawn up to expand and enhance the
facilities at both the port and the cruise terminal.
On the other side of the Central American land mass lies the
eastern entrance to one of the world’s most famous canals. The
Panama Canal changed the face of shipping, allowing vessels to