Exciting times lie ahead for Tonga as the Kingdom is expected to see more Cruise ships visit this year following the opening of the new Vuna Wharf which opened in December of last year.

We are expecting 17 Cruise ships in total with 13 ships calling on Nuku’alofa, 5 to Vava’u, one each to Niuatoputapu, Niuafo’ou and Ha’apai – although the one to Ha’apai will stay for 2 days – Pangai and Tofua.

With a dedicated wharf and a Cruise Steering Committee now in place, we anticipate with the increasing number of cruise ships this will help develop Tonga as a cruise destination” says Acting CEO of the Ministry, Moana Taukolo.

The first Cruise ship to call in Tongatapu will be the MS Columbus II which arrives on the 28
th of January, 2013 at 8:00am. The MS Columbus is from Germany carrying 698 passengers and over 200 crew. The MS Europa with its 500 luxury passengers will follow on the very next day, 29th of January, 2013 at 7:00am.
Majority of the cruise ships are from Australia, Germany, USA, New Zealand and for the first time here in Tonga a cruise ship from Italy, the Costa in November. Four of these cruise ships will call in twice in to the Kingdom.

Among the 17 cruise ships was the Caledonia Sky which was set to call in to Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou this week but was cancelled due to bad weather.

 

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