MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Three cruise vessels with 5.000 passengers spend Christmas in Punta del Este

A common sight in Punta del Este in summer months

Three cruise vessels with over 5.000 passengers spent Christmas at Uruguay’s international seaside resort Punta del Este on the Atlantic, according to the local port authority, Carlos Ferreira.

Insignica, Azamara Joruney and MSC Musica anchored in the wide and protected Maldonado bay next to Gorriti Island and were taking ashore in several launches to take advantage of the wonderful warm breezy weather after a week of blistering heat and one day of storm.

An estimated 800 passengers, mostly European and from the US came ashore from the Insignia; another 900 from the Azamara Journey and 2.000 Brazilians from the MSC Musica, mostly to join local Christmas parties.

The three vessels had their own Xmas celebrations for the passengers and crew members.

According to Uruguayan port authorities 233 cruise vessels are expected to call into Uruguayan ports (Montevideo and Punta del Este) this season which makes an estimate of 400.000 passengers. The previous season the number was 320.000 and over half of the cruise visits (120) called in Punta del Este.

A common sight in Punta del Este in summer months