Sterling Cruise Lines has announced plans to begin year-round cruises from Arubaon May 1, 2015. Joshua Schwartz, president of Sterling, said the cruises would target Latin American markets, offering a premium experience.
The company's website lists sailings of three, four, and seven nights. Three-night cruises will stop in Curaçao, while four-night cruises will stop in both Curaçao and Bonaire.
Alternating seven-day programs will all be to Dominica, Barbados, Tobago and Bonaire, or Grenada, Saint Lucia, Bequia and Curaçao.
Fares start at US$395 for three-day cruises, US$495 for four-day cruises, and US$695 for seven-day cruises. Seven-day itineraries can be combined (back-to-back) into 14-day cruises.
Schwartz said Sterling has assembled an experienced management team of industry professionals and partner alliances that have the expertise and capability to develop the brand and turn it into a profitable, rapidly growing operation. He described the ambiance and product as “sophisticated yet casual.”
Part of the attraction is that Latin American passengers traveling to Aruba for their cruise will not require a visa.
Sterling Cruise Lines' headquarters are in Miami, however it will have sales branches, marketing offices and call centers in Latin America, expecting to generate most of its business from Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.
The Ship
The Gemini is a ship manufactured in Spain by Unión Naval de Levante, launched in August 1992 and renovated in March 2009. Its original cost was US$ 100 million.
This ship throughout its career was called: Crown Jewel, SuperStar Gemini and finally Gemini under the defunct Spanish shipping company Happy Cruises.
Source: Noticiasdecruceros.com
