The tourism industry in the Dominican Republic reported revenues of 5.6 million dollars during the 2007-2008 cruise season. Some 70,000 cruise travelers, 38 percent of whom came from Latin America, visited this city.
European travelers accounted for 33 percent, compared to 27 percent of US tourists and nearly 2 percent from other countries.
Windstar Cruises is offering holiday sailings in the Caribbean and Costa Rica. Wind Spirit’s seven-day holiday cruise departs from St. Thomas on Dec. 20 and visits St. John, St. Martin, St. Barts, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda.
Azamara Cruises has launched a promotion that includes onboard credit and complimentary standard gratuities on 2009 Europe sailings on 694-guest ships. Those who book, between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31, any 2009 Azamara Europe sailing will receive onboard credit of $150 for each ocean-view or veranda stateroom or $300 for each suite.
Crystal Cruises’ 2010 world cruise will include six maiden calls in the Middle East. The cruise will stop at ports in Iran, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman as well as ports in Africa, India and South America. The world cruise departs Miami on Jan. 11, 2010.
Cruise West has announced its eight-day Mexico’s Sea of Cortes Whales and Wildlife schedule for 2008/2009, which will feature five specialty cruises, including a John Steinbeck-inspired cruise with onboard literary experts.
MSC Cruises offers clients some interesting excursions in its 2008-2009 Caribbean itineraries. Several shore excursion options enable guests to explore the Caribbean on land (by motorcycle, bicycle, ATV or horseback), under the sea (snorkeling, scuba diving and glass-bottomed kayaking) and through the air (attached to a cable between 100-foot-high trees).