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Pilots of the Caribbean
Virgin expands Caribbean capacity Report by Phil Davis
Access to the Caribbean “cruise
capital” of Puerto Rico from the UK
is being enhanced with the
introduction of flights from London.
V
irgin Atlantic is Puerto Rico will comple-
to run a Boeing ment the airline’s presence
747 in winter in the Caribbean with
from Gatwick to existing flights to Barbados, Virgin Holidays Cruises’ managing director Robin Deller
the island's Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada, said: “San Juan is the cruise capital of the Caribbean and a
capital and cruise port of Tobago, Havana and fantastic destination to explore before our customers hit
San Juan via Antigua. Jamaica. the waves for their nautical adventure.
The flights are being The airline’s chief
aimed specifically at cruise executive Steve Ridgway “Now more than ever, cruising represents fantastic
passengers taking said: “The launch of these value for money so this extension in our product
Caribbean fly-cruises and services allows our sister portfolio gives our UK customers even more choice.”
will feed a number of ships, company Virgin Holidays to
including Celebrity Cruises, offer a range of fantastic Jaime López Díaz, executive director of The Puerto Rico
Princess Cruises and Royal cruise holidays from the Tourism Company, said: “We are delighted that Virgin
Caribbean International. island, meaning that even Holidays Cruises has opened the gateway from the United
Puerto Rico is a key more Virgin travellers can Kingdom to Puerto Rico.”
cruise line departure point enjoy what this beautiful
in the Caribbean but a lack island has to offer.” “It’s a vibrant island that has a lot to offer the
of direct flights from the UK Virgin Holidays Cruises is European visitor. Our efforts to promote Puerto Rico as
has meant that travellers on offering a range of cruise the premier tourism destination in the Caribbean are
scheduled flights have had and stay options to tie-in having encouraging results.”
to change aircraft at a US with the new flights.
mainland hub such as These include seven- “We are reinforcing our product to offer the best
Miami first. night cruises combined with experience to our visitors which, at the same time,
The weekly scheduled seven nights hotel stay in has an important positive impact on our economy.”
flights will run to San Juan San Juan.
in the winter from Cruise itineraries from
November 7 until April 24, Puerto Rico include stops at
2010. a range of islands including
Virgin Atlantic is to use a St Croix, St. Kitts,
Boeing 747-400 on the Dominica, St. Lucia,
Saturday service with a con- Barbados, Grenada,
figuration of 14 Upper Class, Bonaire, Aruba, St. Thomas,
58 Premium Economy and Tortola, Antigua and
379 Economy seats. St. Maarten.
SUMMER 2009 | ITINERARY PLANNING | SHORE PROGRAMMES | PASSENGER HANDLING |
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