Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur Makes First Visit to Colombia

Royal Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas called at Cartagena, Colombia, for the first time on Nov. 22 with nearly 2,000 passengers. The ship’s new itinerary now includes Colombia’s Cartagena and Santa Marta for the 2010-11 season.

Grandeur of the Seas is the 22nd cruise ship to arrive in Colombia, a growing cruise destination this season. The cruise season, which kicked off in October and ends in May, is expected to bring 208 ships to Colombia. According to ProExport, the cruise ships will bring an estimated 500,000 passengers with them, whose presence will contribute $40 million to the country’s economy.

“Every year the Colombian Caribbean destination has established itself as inevitable in the international cruise world, and we are constantly prepared to receive them. We are quickly becoming a must-go destination for international cruisers,” said María Claudia Lacouture, president of ProExport Colombia.

In 2007, 99 ships arrived at Colombian ports carrying 126,890 cruise passengers. In 2008, 161 ships arrived with 228,221 passengers. By the end of 2009, 218 cruise ships arrived in Colombia, carrying 346,693 passengers. It is estimated that each visitor from a cruise ship spends on average $120 for taxis, restaurants, services and souvenirs.

Grandeur of the Seas was welcomed by a colorful folkloric show, organized by ProExport, with support of the local authorities.