Panama Cruise Season Starts Friday

The 2023-2024 cruise season will begin Friday, September 1, reports the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP).

To date, there are a total of 49 reserves, of which 31 are for operations in transit and 18 that will operate at the base port.

“It is expected that almost  70,000  passengers will arrive on board these cruises in transit operations and 13,000 in operations at Base Port, this last number doubles when carrying out a loading and unloading operation due to the type of operation ”, the AMP said in a statement

The AMP pointed out that a passenger in transit can spend  100 dollars between tours, meals and souvenir purchases and base port operations generate a greater economic impact with approximately 350 dollars since tourists can stay in local hotels.

Due to the arrival of cruise travelers, the AMP estimates an income of 11.5 million dollars this season.

In total there are more than 16 cruise companies will be operating, including several with base ports in Panama.

The list of cruise companies that will operate this season are Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruise, Phoenix Reisen, Princess Cruise, Peace Boat, Swan Hellenic, Viking Ocean Cruise, Residensea, Scenic Luxury, Holland America Line, Windstar Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silver Seas and Seabourn.

“With the start of the cruise season, the economy is directly boosted by generating income and promoting new job opportunities in the regions that are visited, it also boosts the country’s image and strengthens our position in the maritime, port, and logistics sector. worldwide, one of the fundamental pillars of the Panamanian economy”, indicated the AMP.