‘The drive for excellence of the Valletta Cruise Port team and other stakeholders is at the core of this success,’ commented Stephen Xuereb, ceo of Valletta Cruise Port and coo of Global Ports Holding, who recently attended Seatrade Cruise Global.
A busy cruise season lays ahead in 2018, including a number of ‘cruise and fly’ operations, noted Xuereb.
TUI Cruises has been using Malta weekly for summer homeporting since 2011. Additionally, a second regular homeporting operation, with P&O Cruises’ Oceana which started last year, will repeat again this summer.
MedCruise member Valletta will play host for the first time to a cruise ship naming when Seabourn Ovation is christened on May 11 with actress and singer Elaine Paige, serving as godmother. The orchestra aboard will be directed by the acclaimed Sir Tim Rice.
Valletta is hosting the 52nd MedCruise General Assembly between May 23-26, 2018. This event provides an excellent showcase for the Maltese Islands. Attendees will discuss the latest developments in the cruise sector, as well as the implications and prospects of cruising in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas.
Permissions have been obtained to widen the Pinto 4/5 quays by 15mtr, allowing bigger ships to berth. ‘With this development we are looking at a more attractive and secure operation, without the need for the spacer barges that we are currently using. Cruise ships are getting bigger, with the majority of ships being ordered now being large resort ships. We want to future-proof our operation, we want to invest further in our resources and innovate to ensure we stay ahead,’ concluded Xuereb.Â
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