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Bilbao to become cruise base port in 2010
On 24 May, Iberocruceros will start its operations from the Getxo terminal when the Grand Mistral sails to Copenhagen
Next year, for the first time in its history, the Port of Bilbao will become a cruise base port thanks to Iberocruceros starting up activity in its waters. The shipping company will begin to operate from Getxo on 24 May, when the Grand Mistral, with her 1,700-passenger capacity sails for the Danish port of Copenhagen. The six-day voyage will take in calls at the ports of Cherbourg (France) and Bruges (Belgium). Later, the terminal at Getxo will welcome the arrival of the Copenhagen-Bilbao cruise, leaving the Danish capital on 28 August to cover the Copenhagen, IJmuiden-Amsterdam (Holland), Bruges (Belgium), Le Havre (France) and Bilbao route.
The next two sailings from Bilbao will be on Friday 3 September and Friday 10 September respectively: each voyage will last eight days and include calls at Bruges (Belgium), IJmuiden-Amsterdam (Holland),Dover-London (United Kingdom), Honfleur-Paris (France) and return to Bilbao.
Iberocruceros has chosen Bilbao as a cruise base port due to the potential passenger market in the north zone, where it is hoped to attract 6,000 customers.
As from next spring, in order to improve passenger service, the Port Authority of Bilbao will install a provisional, reusable, portable maritime terminal at the Getxo Cruise Berth which will require an investment of nearly two million euros. It will have a 1000m² area with structures built of fine materials - stainless steel, glass and wood among others - so as to provide the cruise berth with a maritime station with a quality befitting its surroundings.
Campo Volantín, 37 - 48007 Bilbao - Bizkaia
Phone 94 487 12 00 - Fax 94 487 12 08
