DAVAO CITY—A small American cruise ship, called an expedition ship, will make its first run to several Philippine cities, including this city, as the country increasingly becomes a popular destination for European and US ocean-leisure travelers.
Edmund Mayormita, vice president of the tours consortium of the Visit Davao Fun Sale 2015, said the cruise visit here would introduce ocean travelers to the different attractions of the designated Philippine cities and destinations.
In Mindanao the cruise would drop by Camiguin Island over its famed sunken cemetery and this city, for the world-renowned Philippine eagle and the banana plantations of Davao del Norte.
“Davao is the last leg of its Philippine tour,” Mayormita said. The expedition ship is actually smaller compared to the massive cruise ships, and could accommodate an average of 100 passengers.
The advantage of the expedition ship is its affordability for charter cruises, Mayormita added.
While the expedition cruise caters only to North and South American countries, there were instances it also went to Asia, including Indonesia.
The Philippines was included in its route beginning February, following representations made by travel and tour agencies in one of the annual tour sales in the US.
Cruise travelers that listed this city as their final destination would be treated to a city tour before a formal send-off at the airport for their trip back home.
“There would be travelers who would take their place here with destination for Indonesia, the next country of destination after the Philippines and before the expedition ship would go back to the US,” Mayormita said.
This is not the first time this city will be visited by cruise ships. Last year his travel agency, Travel Advantage facilitated the visit of passengers of one cruise ship that docked here.
Palawan was also being groomed as a regular cruise destination for Star Cruises, the Department of Tourism said late last year.