The Falkland Islands is anticipating a growth of nearly 9 percent in cruise ship visitors in the coming season. As many as 62,203 cruise visitors landed in the Falklands last season, confirmed Falkland Islands Tourist Board General Manager Jake Downing. This number comprises 77 percent of the cruise ships’ total capacity; a growth of 21 percent on the previous season. The season this year starts on October 20 with a visit from the NG Endeavour, and ends on April 7, 2009 Each year thousands of tourists make the journey to the Falklands onboard a cruise ship or expedition vessel. This increasingly popular method of travel allows people to visit many sites that remain largely inaccessible to land-based tourists in the Falklands, all from the comfort and safety of a world-class vessel. Cruise ships visiting the Falklands vary greatly in size, and range from well-equipped yachts to icebreakers and luxury cruise vessels such as the QE2. Passenger numbers onboard can be as few as 10 or as grand as 3,000. Most vessels visit the seaside capital Stanley, but some operators also include outlying islands. The Falklands are generally included as part of a larger cruise itinerary, which may incorporate such famous destinations as South Georgia, the Antarctic Peninsula and selected South American ports. |