CEBU, Philippines - A cruise ship, MS Europa, is set to anchor near the white sand beaches of Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan, Cebu from noontime until midnight of March 20 while the 408 passengers will be ferried by its motorized rubber boats to the island.
This is part of the 17-day Hong Kong - Singapore cruises dubbed as "Southeast Asia - Of Wonderful Beaches and Forest People."
Malapascua Island will be highlighted in this cruise as a new port of call together with the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan.
Capt. Ildefonso Gonzales, operations manager of Manila-based Sharp Port Services Inc. and the agent of the trip, has advised Jesse Guillermo, acting port manager for the Port of Malapacua based in Hagnaya, San Remegio, about the ship's tourism visit in the island.
"On arrival, Master will drop anchor near bounty beach in the Island. Ship's Zodiac boat will be utilized for passenger/crew ferry services during the whole stay," Gonzales told Guillermo.
March 14 is the scheduled flight from Germany to Hong Kong for transfer to embarkation to MS Europa.
The ship will depart in the evening of March 15 from Hong Kong and is expected to arrive in the morning of March 17 in Hundred Islands in Pangasinan then in Coron, Pa-lawan the next day and in Boracay Island on the 19th before going to Malapascua Island on March 20.
Leaving Malapascua at midnight, MS Europa is expected to dock at the Port of Cebu on March 21 at 7 a.m. before proceeding to a day travel to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and other destinations outside the Philippines.
On March 31, the ship is expected to arrive in Germany.
Built in 1999, MS Europa is categorized as five-star by Berlitz Cruise Guide 2013 with 28.890 gross tons.
Its length is 198.60 meters with 24 meters beam and six meters draught with a total output of 21.600 kW and a speed of 21 knots.
It has seven passenger decks that can accommodate 408 passengers.
It has a total of 204 suites composed of 36 outside suites, 152 outside suites with veranda, four SPA Suites with veranda, 10 Penthouse Deluxe Suites, and two Penthouse Grand Suites.
It has 285 crew, with 13 Zodiacs (motorized rubber boats); four Tender with 150 seats and a hospital equipped with dialysis unit. — (FREEMAN)