By
Rebecca Gibson |
Banana Coast, the first mainland cruise port in Honduras, welcomed its first cruise call on 10 February.
Upon arrival, Travel Dynamics International’s US-flagged 130-passenger Yorktown was greeted by a performance from Garifuna musicians. Passengers were also able to browse local craft stalls on the beach and enjoy tours to the nearby rainforest.
“It was rewarding to see Banana Coast come to life with its first cruise passengers,” said Randy Jorgensen, general manager of Grande Trujillo Authoridad, which developed the port. “Travel Dynamics’ guests are interested in culture, history and nature when they cruise, and we are proud to offer a destination that delivers all of that and more.”
Banana Coast features a two-berth, post-Panamax dock, a 50,000 sq ft shopping facility and transportation facility on ten acres of beachfront land. Passengers can enjoy a range of shorex options, including the signature Campo del Mar Nature Park and Beach Break trip, airplane rides to the Mayan ruins at Copan, snorkelling at a starfish bank, and kayaking in Guaimoreto Lagoon.
To date, five cruise lines have scheduled 20 calls on eight ships at Banana Coast. Holland America Line was the first major cruise company to commit to a series of port calls from November 2014 to March 2015. Silversea Cruises has also scheduled visits in December 2014 and March 2015, while P&O Cruises and Oceania Cruises are due to call in the first quarter of 2015.
Yorktown will return to Banana Coast on 17 February.