PHOTO: About 60,000 more cruise passengers are expected to visit Old San Juan in 2016 on Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Allure of the Seas. (Photo by Brian Major)
Thanks to a pier expansion and enhancement, Puerto Rico will welcome the two largest cruise ships in the world, Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, in 2016.
"The arrival of the two ships represents an economic impact for Puerto Rico of approximately $6.4 million in this first season," said Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. "With an average capacity of 6,000 passengers and 2,400 crew members, the ships will set sail from ports in Florida with seven-night itineraries, visiting several Caribbean destinations."
The announcement follows a commitment made by Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla to attract mega-cruise ships to the island when the renovation of the Pier 3 is complete. During the summer of 2016, the Port of San Juan will welcome 10 visits by mega-ships for 60,000 additional passengers.
The visits by Oasis and Allure of the Seas is "evidence that we have recovered the strength and confidence of the cruise industry in the region," said Colberg Ingrid Rodríguez, executive director of the port authority. "The arrival of both cruises is an achievement made possible thanks to the expansion of Pier 3, which included an investment of $9.3 million to place the Port of San Juan at a level that it deserves, and provide incentives to attract cruise ships. The demonstrated effort and interagency support between the port and Puerto Rico Tourism Company have been key in the record number of cruise passenger arrivals to the country."
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