Hamilton Port Authority (HPA) recently welcomed the MV Grande Caribe, a specialized 96-passenger cruise ship which added Hamilton to its itinerary during the last two years. Operated by U.S.-based Blount Small Ship Adventures, the vessel is the sister ship to the MV Grande Mariner, which has stopped in Hamilton since 2010 and will return this August.
The MV Grande Caribe will make three vessel stops in Hamilton in 2012. The ship stayed overnight in Hamilton, giving its passengers the opportunity to explore the city. “Cruise vessel traffic continues to increase in the port which supports advancing our international reputation and role as a multifaceted harbour,” said HPA President and CEO Bruce Wood.
Representatives from HPA and the Hamilton Waterfront Trust welcomed the vessel, and Tourism Hamilton provided visitor packages to encourage passengers to take in such venues as Royal Botanical Gardens, museums and shopping.
The stop in Hamilton is part of a ten-day cruise from New York City to Toronto. For additional information on the vessel and itinerary visit www.blountsmallshipadventures.com.