Thread: New Cruise Port! Banana Coast (W. Carib)

It'll be interesting to see if this succeeds.

Pete


NEW CRUISE PORT! BANANA COAST (Western Caribbean)
Introducing Banana Coast, Western Caribbean's Next New Cruise Port
Forget Falmouth, Jamaica: There's a new custom-built Western Caribbean port with duty-free jewelry stores, themed bars and an artisans market to bite into. Development began this month on Banana Coast, a cruise destination in Trujillo, Honduras.

When completed in late 2012, the port on the island's north coast will have a two-ship dock capable of handling post-panamax mega-vessels. In addition to the pier-side amenities, which also include a beach and a pair of restaurants, Banana Coast will offer easy access to a full menu of eco-excursions. Think snorkeling, fishing and monkey sightings.

The town of Trujillo, which was first visited by Columbus in 1502 and founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1524, may provide some other tour options for day-trippers (historic fort, plaza). It's 45 miles south of Roatan, a popular cruise port.

Banana Coast is being designed by OBM International, the same firm that put Carnival's Grand Turk Cruise Center and Royal Caribbean's private island of CocoCay on the cruise map. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the port's evocative name is derived from the industry that thrived there from the 1920's through the 1940's.

So which lines are going? Well, no one that we can find as of yet. "We have only announced the first part of our 2013 deployment. This portion does not include Trujillo," said Norwegian Cruise Line spokeswoman Amanda Graham. Princess also told us that the line "currently doesn't have any stops scheduled to Trujullo." It's the same story for Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises.

Thank you for letting us know about this. Any port with a fort is a port my husband can be convinced to go see.

It will be interesting to see which ships end up here.

It is nice to see that more ports are being developed. If the port fees are reasonable and the ships can make money selling excursions the ships will find there way there.

This will be a good test of "if they build it, they will come"

The only thing is that as stated in the story, it's only 45 miles south of Roatan, which is a very nice port and we loved it. I wonder how this is going to change the area; is there enough interest and cruise traffic sol both ports be able to survive being that close together? Or will one of them cease to be a destination?

This new port will have to offer alot if it's going to compete with Roatan as a destination.

Pete

Gosh, I wouldn't mind having an itinerary that went to BOTH!

That's one thing about some of these ports, I could never understand why the cruise lines didn't listen to their passengers. For example, I've heard many many people say they wish the ship would stay in port or at the private islands overnight. Disney listened to their passengers and they now have an itinerary that includes a two visits to Castaway Cay. While it's two separate days instead of overnight, at least they're the first to give it a try and it seems to be popular. Some cruisers are just tired of going to the same ports, so they're looking for something different. I, for one, would love to spend the night at their private island. Wouldn't it be great to have a bonfire on the beach at night while cooking hot dogs? Or taking a romantic stroll on the beach under the stars? Sometimes it's not that they have to find a new port, but just make some minor changes to keep it interesting. And if they can develop a new port, that's just more to get excited about.

Pete

Pete

Hi, I've just joined this site and forum and wanted to introduce myself. I'm a realtor working with Life Vision Developments in Trujillo, Honduras (lot sales) and I have actually just heard word that Holland America’s MS Ryndam will be in port Dec 4, 2013 and Dec 25, 2013 with more dates to come!! Pretty exciting news! Thought you might like to know.

Thanks

Kim Berges






Pete


NEW CRUISE PORT! BANANA COAST (Western Caribbean)
Introducing Banana Coast, Western Caribbean's Next New Cruise Port
Forget Falmouth, Jamaica: There's a new custom-built Western Caribbean port with duty-free jewelry stores, themed bars and an artisans market to bite into. Development began this month on Banana Coast, a cruise destination in Trujillo, Honduras.

When completed in late 2012, the port on the island's north coast will have a two-ship dock capable of handling post-panamax mega-vessels. In addition to the pier-side amenities, which also include a beach and a pair of restaurants, Banana Coast will offer easy access to a full menu of eco-excursions. Think snorkeling, fishing and monkey sightings.

The town of Trujillo, which was first visited by Columbus in 1502 and founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1524, may provide some other tour options for day-trippers (historic fort, plaza). It's 45 miles south of Roatan, a popular cruise port.

Banana Coast is being designed by OBM International, the same firm that put Carnival's Grand Turk Cruise Center and Royal Caribbean's private island of CocoCay on the cruise map. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the port's evocative name is derived from the industry that thrived there from the 1920's through the 1940's.

So which lines are going? Well, no one that we can find as of yet. "We have only announced the first part of our 2013 deployment. This portion does not include Trujillo," said Norwegian Cruise Line spokeswoman Amanda Graham. Princess also told us that the line "currently doesn't have any stops scheduled to Trujullo." It's the same story for Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises.[/QUOTE]

Welcome Kim!

I think this is great news. I am hoping some ships out of Galveston will go there as well. With crime being a huge concern in the Jamaican ports, and the lack of space for large ships in Grand Cayman, people ARE looking for new places to go, without having to travel too far to get to a ship.

Thanks for letting us know what HAL is looking at. Meanwhile, what kinds of excursions are being considered for Trujillo? Are there Mayan or other pre-Columbian ruins nearby? Or are there colonial sites to visit? What about hiking or other kinds of active activities? I've left out lots of stuff, but I didn't want this post to be longer than yours

Glad to have you here!
Mindy

I also think this is great news! And welcome aboard Kim.