"A month ago we were told the ship would go the port of Tampa in Florida, so we had the opportunity to negotiate to find an alternative," said Solomon Shamah, administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP).

Prensa.com reports: "... the departure of Royal Caribbean can be interpreted as an adjustment to their operations, considering that this company is the largest shareholder of Pullmantur which will continue to operate from Panama".

Augusto Terracina from the company Aventuras 2000, the home port operator, said that although it is not positive to lose the ship, expectations for this season are encouraging. "I understand the company's strategy to leave us with a single cruise ship, but now we will have one boat leaving every week for a whole year, and that is important," he added.

Source: Prensa.com

More on this topic

Panama: Cruise Tourism Up 9%

January 2014

Up to November last year, 301,149 tourists arrived on cruise ships at Panamanian ports, 9.2 % more than in the same month in 2012.

Statistics from the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) reveal that between January and November 2013, 301,149 tourists arrived in the country on cruises, 25,470 visitors more than in the same period in 2012, an increase of 9.2%.

Cruise Season in Panama

September 2013

During the 2013-14 season the arrival of 120 cruise ships are expected at the port of Colon, with the estimated expenditure of each passenger on land being $125.

The number of cruise ships foreseen for this season is similar to the number of arrivals that occurred in the previous period. Between December 2013 and January 2014, the port will receive 54 cruises ships across the Atlantic, ie 27 cruises every month.

Cruises from Colon at 100% Occupancy

March 2012

Demand for places on cruises leaving from Home Port Colon 2000 in Panama remains high, with Royal Caribbean and Pullmantur recording 100% occupancy rates on its ships in recent months.

The Grandeur of the Seas, belonging to Royal Caribbean, and the Horizon, owned by Pullmantur Cruises are two ships that have had 100% occupancy throughout the season of the Home Port Colon 2000, reports Pananaamerica.com.pa.

Panama Anchors Cruise Tourism

January 2012

Existing operators are increasing the number of departures from the country and the authorities are encouraging new companies to come.

Shipping companies operating in Panama are set to increase the number of departures in 2012 and new firms may start operating, reports Prensa.com.