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| CRYSTAL SERENTIY, the largest cruise vessel ever to grace Douglas Bay. |
THE Isle of Man is set to welcome no less than 14 cruise calls this year with a further nine calls already booked for 2013, providing a welcome economic boost to the local economy. Of the current total, 13 vessels will be making an inaugural visit including the magnificent 68,870 ton CRYSTAL SERENTIY, the largest cruise vessel ever to grace Douglas Bay.
A further distinctive caller is one of the world’s largest sail-cruisers. With five huge masts and the sails controlled by computer from the bridge of the vessel, the WIND SURF will present a distinctive sight during the two calls it is scheduled to make in 2013. This vessel accommodates 327 passengers along with 163 crew members.
The AZAMARA QUEST, which is due to call at Douglas on July 13th in 2013, currently has a unique Isle of Man connection as the Master of the vessel, Captain Carl Smith is from Peel. It is anticipated he will be on board for the Isle of Man call which could then be promoted to the Cruise Lines repeat passenger base as ‘Captain Carl’s Homecoming Cruise!’.
Silversea Cruises have scheduled two of their vessels to incorporate the Isle of Man within itineraries this year. They are the SILVER CLOUD, which has been a fairly frequent caller to our shores in the past, and the SILVER EXPLORER which is the company’s recently acquired ‘Expedition’ vessel and will be visiting the Island for the first time.
Other distinctive inaugural callers in 2012 include the SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER. This Berlitz Guide rated luxury/premium class vessel is also scheduled to visit Douglas again the following year. The list continues with the THOMSON SPIRIT due to call on September 5th, a vessel with a 1,250 passenger capability.
Cruise visits 2012:
Quest for Adventure 8th May
Arion 26th May
Discovery 28th May
Silver Explorer 31st May
Marco Polo 4th June
Ocean Countess 5th June
Seven Seas Voyager 7th June
Silver Cloud 8th June
Saga Sapphire 4th July
Quest for Adventure 9th July
Marco Polo 16th July
Deutschland 20th July
Hebridean Princess 21st August
Thomson Spirit 6th September
Cruise visits planned so far for 2013:
Seven Seas Voyager 6th June
Nautica 29th June
Azamara Quest 13th July
Wind Surf 21st July
Columbus 2 19th August
Pacific Star Princess 20th August
Crystal Serenity 25th August
Wind Surf 30th August
Seabourn Pride 13th September
