Panama cruise sailings underway

Panama’s cruise season kicked off on Thursday with the departure from Colon of "Grandeur of the Seas".

It marked the third year of operations from Panama of Royal Caribbean and according to company officials the vessel is 80 percent booked through to the end of the season in April.

Grand Tours, general manager Olga Jimenez, representing Royal Caribbean in Panama, said Colombians make a quarter of the bookings. Panamanians form 17 percent of passengers.Argentinians and Mexicans make up most of the balance.
Royal Caribbean has already confirmed its Panama sailings for 2011-2012, and will decide after April about further seasons. {jathumbnail off}