Panama thriving as cruise center

After four seasons as a home port for cruise lines  and shipping 178,000 passengers out of Colon 2000, Panama has achieved maturity as a cruise center.

Two leading cruise companies, Royal Caribbean and the Spanish Pullmantur, have confirmed that they will continue to sail from from Panama through 2014.

The arrival of more Latin American passengers in Panama, has led the lines to create more  tropical  style  meals, and  hire more Spanish-speaking staff as they focus their strategies on the Latin market says La Prensa

It is estimated that the current season (2012-2014)  will have an input of $75 million, considering that the passenger who boards a cruise ship in Panama, spends an average of $1000 a day.