MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands cruise ship season looking “relatively healthy”

This weekend the Golden Princess with a capacity for 2,500 passengers is due to make her third call to Stanley

The Falkland Islands cruise ship season is looking “relatively healthy” to date, according to Sulivan Shipping Tourism Coordinator Samantha Marsh, with a third of the estimated 45,000 (total) passengers scheduled still to visit during February. The season got underway in October and to date 12,300 passengers have landed from 41 vessels of varying sizes.

This weekend the Golden Princess with a capacity for 2,500 passengers is due to make her third call to Stanley and Sulivan Shipping will also be handling their fifth passenger exchange.

February looks like a very busy month indeed, said Miss Marsh with 15,500 cruise ship passengers currently expected to visit.

While the season is far from over however, anticipation of the Falkstock party hosted by Polar Latitudes to celebrate the event is definitely building.

“Falkstock is going to be fantastic; we have some brilliant local talent lined up, with all funds raised going to the Stephen Jaffray Memorial Fund.” Miss Marsh said she would like to thank all of the musicians, the Stanley Sports Association, the Stephen Jaffray trustees, FIODA and everyone else who has volunteered their time and expertise to help with Falkstock so far. “It has definitely turned into a community project, which is exactly what we had hoped for.”

Polar Latitudes’ generosity doesn’t end with the social event however as there is also an annual scholarship on offer to join them on a voyage starting in November to learn about the expedition cruise industry.  

The scholarship includes a trip to Antarctica, South Georgia, Ushuaia, and Punta Arenas, funding up to 500 dollars for items of necessity, travel expenses, a complete medical insurance policy, on-the-job training and supervision in expedition cruising related skills; environmental protocols, safety training and itinerary planning, plus coaching in securing a seasonal job with an IAATO operator.

“This is an amazing opportunity for someone between the ages of 18 to 29 to experience the expedition industry and possibly build a career within it,” said Miss Marsh. She added that the closing date for applications which should consist of a letter outlining enthusiasm for the role and two letters of reference was February 7, with the successful applicant being announced at the Falkstock party on March 7.

Contact sulivantravel@horizon. co.fk for more information and to submit applications.(PN).