The cruise ship “Oriana”, consigned by Pérez y Y Cía, docked at the Almirante Pier on its first stop in the port of Santander with 1,860 passengers, mostly British, and 794 crew members on board.
To celebrate his visit to the city, the president of the Port Authority of Santander (APS), Jaime González, and the city councilor for Tourism, Miriam Díaz, presented the ship's captain, Stephen Howarth, with a commemorative plaque and a souvenir from the city. Ramiro Cobo, representing the shipping agent, also attended the event.
The cruise ship, measuring 260 meters in length, entered the port at eight in the morning, arriving from the British port of Southampton, and left at five in the afternoon bound for the port of El Ferrol. It is a ship built in 1995 and refurbished in 2011, specifically designed for the British cruise market and exclusively for adults.
Some of the travelers took excursions around the city to see its main attractions - a panoramic route by tourist bus and another by bicycle, both lasting three hours - as well as to other nearby towns such as Comillas, San Vicente de la Barquera, Santillana del Mar and the Altamira Cave.
Both the president of the Port Authority of Santander, Jaime González, and the councilor for Tourism, Miriam Díaz, have emphasized the importance of strengthening this sector and continuing to work together to attract cruise ships and improve the services offered. They both highlighted the impact that cruise tourism has on the local economy, as these passengers typically spend a significant amount in the ports of call, which benefits not only the tourism and hospitality sectors, but also other services and businesses.
The City Council has contacted businesses in the city center to encourage them to open and offer an additional attraction for these tourists. Furthermore, as is customary at every port of call, the Council is providing maps and tourist information to passengers. The regional government's tourist information office, located at the Maritime Station, will also remain open to assist with any inquiries.
The Oriana is the first cruise ship scheduled to visit Santander this year and will call again on May 18, this time arriving from La Rochelle and bound for the port of Saint Peter Guernsey. It will also return to the city on June 27 and July 26. Additionally, the Saga Sapphire and Le Boreal are expected to visit the port facilities this year in May; the Ventura in June; the Boudicca, Aurora, and Prinsedam in September; and the Hanseatic in October.
Passenger traffic is a significant economic activity for Santander and a key driver of growth for the Port. The Passenger Terminal, located in the city center, and the excellent facilities offered by the ferry and cruise services provide an exceptional platform from which passengers have access to an attractive, unique, and varied range of leisure activities.
