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Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras (November 15, 2007) – The groundbreaking ceremony for Honduras’ newest and largest cruise port facility took place earlier today at the project site in Roatan.
The ceremony was headed by the president of Honduras, Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales and the president of Congress, Roberto Micheletti Bain; who played a major role by helping to enact the proper legislation for this project to be a reality. Other guests included government dignitaries and representatives from the business and civil communities, as well as various cruise operators.
This cruise project will create an important milestone in cruise tourism in Honduras, and more specifically the Bay Islands.
The new facility is a joint venture between Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise operator, and a local partner. The project will consist of a two-berth cruise terminal capable of accommodating up to two post-Panamax ships simultaneously with 7,000 passengers and 2,000 crewmembers. The facility will be located in a stunningly beautiful region locally known as Dixon Cove, on the southwest coast of the island of Roatan.
“Carnival Corporation & plc is very pleased that this significant construction milestone has been reached and we look forward to welcoming cruise ship guests to the magnificent Mahogany Bay facility when it opens in summer 2009,” said Giora Israel, president of Mahogany Bay and Carnival’s vice president of strategic planning.
In addition to the two cruise berths, an area of 20 acres will be developed to serve as a welcome center to tourists visiting the island, and will provide a shopping area and a major transportation hub allowing visitors easy access by land and sea to the island and water tours.
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