By
Laura Hyde |
Seabourn’s second purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit, has made its first call at the Port of València in Spain, almost a month after embarking on its maiden voyage.
The milestone was celebrated on 11 September 2023 with a traditional plaque exchange ceremony onboard. Francesca Antonelli, head of marketing and cruises of the Port Authority of València, handed over the traditional socarrat – the Valencian terracotta tile designed with maritime motifs – to the ship’s captain, Stig Betten.
“Cruise tourism in our city is growing,” said Antonelli. “One part is family tourism cruises and the other is luxury tourism, with an advanced average age that requires a high level of service at the destination and an accessible city. We are working to boost cruise activity beyond the city and its surroundings, in the inland counties and in the municipalities of the province that want to attract the tourists who dock at the docks of the Port of València throughout the year.”
Seabourn Pursuit travelled to València from Barcelona before departing for Lisbon in Portugal. “The entrance to the port has been very easy, it is very comfortable to dock at their docks,” said Betten, noting that 70 per cent of the passengers disembarked to visit various areas of the city.
The ship, which accommodates 260 passengers and up to 260 crew, will spend the summer sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean.