MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Ushuaia cruise season expects 100.000 visitors

Chilean flagged “Mare Australis” with 80 passengers officially inaugurated this week the Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego 2005/06 cruise season which this summer is scheduled to receive 310 calls and over 100,000 visitors.

The passengers mostly European were received to the sound of the naval garrison band and by local and provincial authorities who presented each of the visitors with a Tierra del Fuego symbolic handcraft gift and the captain of the vessel with a commemorative plaque.

"Prospects for this season are most encouraging, highlighted with the visit of Queen Mary II, the world's largest cruise vessel, which will be calling February 2 and 28", said Tierra del Fuego Tourism minister Claudio Pardo.

"The Queen Mary and the estimated 100.000 visitors anticipate an excellent season which will further help promote Ushuaia as the gate to Antarctica and one of the leading cruise ports in the world", added Mr. Pardo.

Only a thousand kilometres from Antarctica and with excellent port facilities, Ushuaia sees off almost 90% of Antarctic visitors and this season 29 cruise calls, with 20.000 passengers, will be heading south.

Roberto Murcia president of the port authority forecasted that "it's going to be a record season both for tourism and cargo handling. And we're prepared besides the fact we have been certified as the Argentine port with the highest security standard".

Ushuaia authorities revealed that a special party will be held when Queen Mary II with its 2.600 passengers and 1.400 crew calls in next February.

Too large to dock, she will remain in the bay but quick boats with a 150 people capacity will take ashore all visitors.

"Even if Queen Mary II stays for a few hours we are well organized to give all passengers a chance to come ashore and visit the city", added Mr. Murcia. The Ushuaia Antarctic cruise season is scheduled to begin November 4 with MS Nordnorge and end March 20 with Akademic Sergei Vavilov.

The largest Antarctic cruise this summer will be the Regal Princess with 1.600 tourists.