MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Grand Voyager” opens cruise season in Punta del Este

Punta del Este - Uruguay

Uruguay's main international sea resort Punta del Este inaugurated on Tuesday the 2007/08 cruise season with the arrival of “Grand Voyager” and 900 tourists. Local operators and officials are encouraged by what they consider promises to be an “exceptional cruise season”.

"Grand Voyager" is operated by one of Brazil's main wholesale tourism agencies CVC and has plans for 37 cruise calls this season in Uruguay, 22 in Punta del Este and 15 in Montevideo. One of the peak dates is next Christmas when three cruise vessels are scheduled to be anchored in the protected Maldonado bay next to the Punta del Este peninsula. Grand Voyager which caters mostly for the growing Brazilian market also has programmed short 2, 3 and 4 night cruises to the Brazilian resorts of Buzios, Cabo Frío and Angra dos Reis. Longer cruises are mainly regional with the Grand Voyager calling eight times in Punta del Este and four in Montevideo. Marshall Islands flagged the 25.000 cruise with a 900 passenger capacity is 180 meters long, has a maximum speed of 28 knots and is operated by a crew of 300. Punta del Este does not have docking facilities for such vessels but has become a permanent call for cruise vessels not only because of its natural beauties, but also because the rich and famous of the River Plate have their summer residences making it one of the most fashionable and glamorous resorts in the South Atlantic. In the previous (2006/07) cruise season 32 vessels made 132 calls in Montevideo and Punta del Este totaling 117.272 tourists. For this season which just opened 170 cruise calls are programmed with an estimated 140.000 visitors actually landing in the period extending from November to late March. To speed cruise landings in Punta del Este, a former fishing jetty has been given in concession to an Italian group, Mediterranean Shipping Company which is building facilities to deal with several launches simultaneously. Punta del Este port is really a marina and during summer months is clogged with the most expensive yachts in the River Plate. The Uruguayan Public Works Ministry is working on the tender conditions for the building of a cruise port but several groups which have shown an interest are demanding that the package include a five star hotel with private casino. This however needs special certification from the Uruguayan parliament and is a slow process.