By
Rebecca Gibson |
Spain’s port of Bilbao will open its new 354 m pier this spring.
Built alongside the existing cruise facilities, the pier has a draft of 12 m and represents a €13.8 million investment in the region’s cruise infrastructure. With the added facilities, Bilbao will be able to provide cruise lines with 1,000 metres of berthing lines.
In 2014, the port expects a 25% increase from the 44 cruise vessels and 57,000 passengers it welcomed last year. MSC Cruises, Iberocruceros and Pullmantur are all set to use Bilbao as a turnaround port, while Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Constellation will visit for the first time, making seven overnight calls.
Based in Getxo, the port of Bilbao is located within walking distance of a marina, while shuttle buses can transport visiting passengers to various European Union Blue Flag beaches and the UNESCO World Heritage Hanging Bridge. Both Bilbao city centre and the international airport are a 20-minute drive from the port.