This morning, the Noordam cruise liner, which forms part of the Holland America fleet, left the Grand Harbour and set anchor between Gozo and Comino. This ship is the largest ever to anchor off Gozo at 82,318grt, a passenger capacity of 1,918 and with 800 crew members. The Noordam has a top speed of 24 knots and an overall length of 936feet.

Over 600 cruise passengers disembarked at Mgarr this morning for shore excursions, either pre-arranged or to explore the island themselves.

Tours have been designed to showcase the best that Gozo and Comino have to offer. These include a “Taste of Gozo,” where guests have the opportunity to savour local wine and specially baked bread using a wood-burning fire together with an array of Gozitan specialities. For families with children a “Beach Tour” has been arranged to Ramla il-Hamra, a “Sail & Swim in the Blue Lagoon” as well as a “4×4 Safari”. A Classic Tour of the Island.and an “Art & Culture Tour” as well as a tour to Ta’ Dbiegi Crafts Center and local Sculptor, was also arranged.

This will be the third Holland America Line cruise ship to call in Gozo after the Rotterdam and Prinsendam which called late last year and the fourteenth call that Mifsud Brothers Ltd. – Malta Cruise Services will be handling in Gozo.

Mifsud Brothers said that there had been detailed co-ordination with the Ministry for Gozo, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Gozo Tourism Association and Transport Malta for the trip.

The company concluded by saying that they are confident that with every successful call, word will spread within the cruise industry and the number of cruise ships calling at Gozo will increase.

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