By Leilanie Adriano/PNA
LAOAG CITY — The Royal Caribbean International, a cruise line brand founded in Norway and based in Miami, Florida, United States, is expected to make a stop at the international seaport of Currimao in Ilocos Norte this year.
Xavier Ruiz, Tourism Officer and Environment Planner in Ilocos Norte, confirmed this on Monday, as he reported that its local ground handler is currently organizing its itinerary and logistic requirements in this northern gateway of Luzon.
“The local handler has already requested us to assist them for the coming of Royal Caribbean anytime this year,” Ruiz said.
It will be recalled that representatives of Royal Caribbean, one of the largest shipping lines in the world, conducted last year an ocular inspection of the Currimao seaport to check on its facilities.
In the official Facebook page of Royal Caribbean Philippines, agents have already announced its exciting deals to those who want to experience cruising in Asia, Alaska, Europe and Mediterranean, Caribbean and South America, among others.
On February 8 to 10, the 26th Philippine Travel Agencies Associations Travel Tour Expo at the SMX Convention Center in Manila will be offering several cruise packages with discounts.
In preparation for the arrival of the Royal Caribbean cruise and other cruise ships that keep on returning to the province, the Department of Tourism (DOT) recently conducted a seminar on cruise tourism to prepare stakeholders and maximize the benefits of cruise ship.
Specifically, host communities who attended the training were taught how to become effective customer service providers.
The ports of Currimao and its nearby Omnico Resources Inc., a privately-owned seaport in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, are currently used as major port of calls in the region.
In collaboration with local government units and the Ilocos Norte government, residents living near the seaports were also made aware of the arrival of more cruise lines for them to become more tourist-friendly by displaying a unique brand of Ilocano hospitality whenever the cruise ship guests and visitors arrive in the province.
In 2018, Superstar Virgo made 18 calls to the Ilocos seaport along with other cruise lines, such as M/V Diamond Glory and Costa Atlantica Cruise, among others.
