Lack of adequate port infrastructure, mainly in the Caribbean, is the reason behind the decline in cruise ship arrivals in the past five years.
Although both coasts (Pacific and Caribbean) receive cruise ships at their ports, the one in Limón, in the Caribbean, is the most affected, as cruise goers must walk between trucks and containers when they disembark due to lack of adequate infrastructure.
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.
The vessels using the Port of Colon in the Panamanian Caribbean as a home port usually sail with an occupancy of between 90 and 100%.
According to an article in Prensa.com, "For the third year running, two cruise ships are operating from the port of Colón 2000 on the Atlantic coast. Combined, both vessels have a capacity to carry about 4000 passengers. According to preliminary data, the boats are sailing with occupancy above 90%, and it is expected that in January and February occupancy will reached 100% as happened last season. "
Tens of thousands of tourists board cruise ships bound for the Caribbean, generating a strong hotel business, which during the 2012-2014 season should make about $75 million.
About 90% of passengers taking cruises in the Colon 2000 port spend 3 to 4 days in the area before boarding in order to see the sights and shop.
The Royal Caribbean cruise ship has confirmed two new seasons sailing from Panama, and the Spanish Pullmantur announced that it will make Colon 2000 its home port for the season 2012-2013 with its ship The Horizon, which can carry 1,800 people.
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.
A proposed cruise port in Amador, Panama, could also serve to supply bunkerfuel for ships.
The location of the new terminal, the Amador Causeway, is located near Balboa storage tanks, which has caught the attention of representatives from several cruise companies.
During the next season, starting in October, about 325,000 passengers are expected to arrive, which is 15,000 less than in the 2010 season.
Some traders have attributed this decline in the sector to the crisis affecting the United States, but others point to different reasons.
In the opinion of Augusto Terracina, CEO of Adventure 2000, "Panama is a stable market for cruise companies and these variations are considered normal.
Countries are making significant efforts to strengthen this sector, according to the Tourism Promotion Agency of Central America.
Honduras recently reported the arrival of 470,000 cruise passengers in the first six months of 2011, over 188 cruise ships, 115 of which landed in Mohogany Bay, which recently opened a new dock.
A new Royal Caribbean cruise will depart on Sundays from the terminal in Colon.
This is the Grandeur of the Seas, which will begin a schedule of 20 departures every day starting Sunday April 24th.
"Eliany Caballero, Panamanian company Grand Tour which represents the cruise line, said they now have 3-years experience in the operation of the Home Port," Pa-Digital.com.pa published.
During the next season that starts in October 15, 180 cruise ships will anchor in the Colon 2000 terminal.
For the current nine-month season (October-10 June-11) two cruise ships will depart from this terminal: the Ocean Dream, by Spanish company Pullmantur, and the Grandeur of the Seas, by Royal Caribbean.
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