CRUISE SHIP Legend of the Seas, from Royal Caribbean company, made its very first stop this month at the port of Portimão in the Algarve, placing the region as a destination on its international itinerary for tourist cruises.
The 70,000 ton cruise ship, which was first launched in 1995, will be docking fortnightly until the end of September, contributing to a 109.5 per cent increase in the number of dockings by cruise ships in the port of Portimão. In 2004, 21 vessels visited the Algarve port, while, by the end of this year, the number will increase to 44.
Starting out from Southampton, England, the Legend of the Seas made its first stop, on its 14-night western European cruise, in Portimão – transporting around 2,000 passengers on board, all of whom were given the opportunity to visit the Algarve.
As well as Royal Caribbean, other major operators planning to dock ships in Portimão this year include P&O Cruises, Seabourn Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Star Clippers, Thomson Cruises, Noble Caledónia, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Majestic International Cruises, Transocean Tours and Crystal Cruises.
