By
Rebecca Gibson |
Port Authority of Castellón (PortCastelló) has secured its sixth cruise call for 2019, a record for the Spanish port, which has only ever welcomed up to two cruise vessels per year.
In addition to one call from Oceania Cruises and four from Marella Cruises, PortCastelló will also welcome a visit from Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Esprit in 2019. The 85-metre-long vessel will dock in the port’s inner harbour, providing its 71 guests and 91 crew members with direct access to the city centre.
Growth in cruise calls has been attributed to the success of the new Castellón Cruise Club, an association comprising the port authority, the Town Council of Castellón, the Provincial Council of Castellón, the Valencian Tourist Agency, the Chamber of Commerce, Aerocas airport, the University of Castellón, and the Port Castelló Foundation.
Castellón Cruise Club works with directly with cruise lines to help them plan calls and shore excursions. It has also developed the ‘Castellón Cruise Friendly’ quality certificate, which will be granted to local businesses who meet multiple requirements when serving cruise visitors. A total of 25 commercial establishments in Castellón have already signed up to the initiative.
“The participation of all the sectors involved is the key to success, since the passengers are not only interested in what the port has to offer, but also in what is beyond the port,” said Francisco Toledo, president of the Port Authority of Castellón. “It is necessary to define tourist attractions that are tailored to the tastes and needs of the cruise ship passengers and it is therefore essential that all sectors are well coordinated.”