- Cruise captains share favourite ports from across CLIA fleet
- Mediterranean ports feature prominently for scenery and history
- Kotor and Valletta receive multiple captain endorsements
- Personal hometown connections important for several captains
- Caribbean ports also highlighted for beauty and navigation
Cruise ship captains from across Cruise Lines International Association member fleets have shared their perspectives and favourite ports of call from among hundreds of ports worldwide. Ten senior officers offered insights about the places they have sailed, with Mediterranean ports featuring prominently.
Sindre Borsheim, captain on Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas, the world;s largest cruise ship, prefers Sydney of al the beautiful ports he has called to.
Captain Marco Nocera of Regent Seven Seas Cruises describes the Mediterranean as home, heritage and adventure all in one, particularly enjoying navigating into the fjords of Kotor at sunrise and arriving in historic Valletta. Captain Bram Jacobsen of Virgin Voyages favours the Greek Isles for the Aegean and Ionian Sea itineraries, noting the stunning sail into Kotor paired with Greek islands. Captain Ricardo Pinzón of Windstar Cruises notes that arriving in Valletta never gets old, sailing between stone fortifications that have stood for centuries. Captain Serena Melani of Explora Journeys is fascinated by the light in Lisbon and Tangier along the Atlantic.
Personal connections also feature prominently. Captain Leo Lujak of Oceania Cruises favours his hometown Dubrovnik, navigating waters where he first learned to swim and took the helm of his first boat. Captain Dario Guerrieri of Azamara Cruises favours La Spezia, the village where he grew up and where his parents still live, watching boats come and go as a child.
Captain Gennaro Arma of Princess Cruises highlights the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius overlooking the city. Caribbean ports also receive praise, with Captain David Bathgate of Seabourn Cruises favouring Terre-de-Haut, Iles des Saintes in Guadeloupe and Captain Niccolò De Ranieri of Carnival Cruise Line highlighting Cozumel, Mexico.
