Bonaire Celebrates Inaugural Visit Of Carnival Cruise Lines. Tourism Corporation Bonaire Hosts Welcome Ceremony to Commemorate Another ‘First Call’ for Bonaire
On Monday, January 19, 2015, the people of Bonaire gave a heartfelt greeting to the Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Liberty, officially marking the first time the cruise line has included Bonaire on its itineraries.
The ship docked at the island’s port of Kralendijk carrying 2,984 passengers.
To welcome Carnival Cruise Lines, Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) hosted a ceremony for the ship’s passengers and crew at Wilhelmina Park to give them a real taste of Bonaire. The event highlighted various elements of Bonairean culture, from entertainment and local cuisine to arts and crafts, while providing the people of Bonaire with the opportunity to showcase their genuine hospitality.
During the course of the event, Governor Mr. Edison Rijna and Commissioner James Kroon presented Captain Leonardo Contarino,of the Carnival Liberty with a plaque commemorating the ship’s first port of call to Bonaire, and the Bonaire flag. Captain Contarino and Carnival Officers were also presented with Gold Ambassador Medals and Bonaire coffee books by TCB representatives and Commissioner Edsel Winklaar, Commissioner of Tourism and Economic Development.
“It is a distinct pleasure for us to welcome Carnival Cruise Lines to Bonaire,” commented Commissioner Edsel Winklaar, Commissioner of Tourism and Economic Development. “The arrival of the first Carnival ship is a testament to the hard work and perseverance of our Government and cruise tourism representatives to increase port calls from key cruise lines operating in the Caribbean region. Bonaire offers a unique island experience, which is clearly a contributing factor to its appeal to cruise ship passengers.”
Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Liberty will return to Bonaire again for a total of nine calls throughout 2015. The Carnival Pride, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Valor will also visit Bonaire in 2015 and the island will receive additional port calls from Carnival in 2016.
