Tarragona revs up appeal with new Ferrari theme park

Everyone aboard the new Silversea ship's shakedown cruise was invited to lunch in Tarragona and free admission to the park, where masses of media and film crews were on hand for the opening.

Silversea chairman Manfredi Lefebvre and ceo Roberto Martinoli were among the VIPs who included members of the Ferrari family and representatives of equity giant Investindustrial, the lead investor in PortAventura World.

'Ferrari is a top Italian brand and so is Silversea. Both are Italy-originated but dedicated to the citizens of the world,' Lefebvre told Seatrade Cruise News.

Tarragona has 56 cruise calls scheduled this year including 17 turnarounds by Costa neoRiviera.

'We can help Tarragona to grow their cruise business,' said Mark Robinson, chief commercial officer, PortAventura World. Robinson, who previously led Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services for many years, knows a thing or two about the cruise business.

The theme parks at PortAventura World are particularly likely to appeal to European families visiting Tarragona on a cruise.

At Ferrari Land the 112-meter-high Red Force roller coaster accelerates riders from zero to 180 km/h in five seconds with a force of 1.3 g. 'You will feel what it's like to drive a Ferrari,' test driver Mark Gené, a former Formula 1 competitor, told the opening day crowd.

The twin Thrill Towers offer free-fall and bounce-back experiences, while the Maranello Grand Race lets families compete in a 550-meter racing circuit. A Junior Championship Speedway for younger children, F1 racing simulators and a Pit Stop Record challenge are some of the other attractions.

Silversea's Brad Ball, global public relations director, was among the first people to brave the Red Force. A roller-coaster buff, he's ridden 35 of them throughout the US, Europe and at Disney Hong Kong.

'The smoothness, the speed, the g-force and the view from the top of the mountains and the sea were incredible. It's one of the most thrilling rides I've ever been on,' Ball said.