Currimao Port starts to host cruise ships

By Mizpah Grace G. Castro 

LAOAG CITY – Gov. Imee R. Marcos said the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, Dept. of Tourism and Philippine Ports Authority will be partnering to improve the Port of Currimao with onset of cruise ship arrivals.

She told a press conference inside Star Cruises' Superstar Virgo, which made her maiden voyage to and arrival in Ilocos Norte Wednesday.

Superstar Virgo, with a capacity of 2,600 passengers, brought thousands of local and international tourists to the province with the majority being Chinese.

"We don't want to fail or in any way be unable to deliver the goods," said Marcos, expressing her desire to lessen inconvenience to coming tourists.

Wednesday marked the first of 15 expected cruise ship arrivals in the Currimao Port.

Representatives of Star Cruises said their ideal port would be "very simple yet functional," pointing out transporting tourists from the cruise ship to the port through tender boats posed a slight inconvenience due to the time consumed.

This would hinder the tourists from exploring "all the beauty of Ilocos Norte," they said.

Marcos said, "Through experience, we will get only better. I'm hopeful that we [national agencies and stakeholders] keep each other posted and continuously give each other feedback. Certainly, the province is very open to any suggestions for improvement."