The Sun Princess cruise ship made a stop yesterday on Guam, bringing nearly 3,000 passengers and crew to the island.

Most of the passengers were from Australia, according to information provided by the Port Authority of Guam.  The ship sailed from Japan to Guam and docked here for the day.  Passengers had the opportunity to explore the island and experience entertainment from local Chamorro cultural dancers before they left for Papua New Guinea.  The Sun Princess voyage began on September 21 in Australia and made stops at many locations including Brunei, Malaysia, China, Vietnam and Korea.  It is to return to Brisbane, Australia on November 2.

The stop on Guam marked the first trip to the island for Charlotte and Allen Morgan, who are from Australia.  The Morgans said they hired a taxi for the day and went sightseeing around Guam.  They saw island attractions, such as Two Lovers Point, and did some shopping.  Allen Morgan was carrying several Kmart bags full of purchases back to the cruise ship yesterday afternoon.

“The shopping is very good,” Charlotte Morgan said with a smile on her face.  The Morgans liked what Guam had to offer.  “I think you could have a relaxing holiday here,” Charlotte Morgan said.  “One day hasn’t been enough.”

Repeat Visit

Frances Camiller of Australia also enjoyed her time on the tropical island yesterday.  This was the second time she has been to Guam and she said some things have remained the same and some things have changed since her last visit in 1989.

“There were no shopping malls or shopping centers,” she recalled of the last time she was here on Guam.  “I remember you could buy Nike shoes cheaply, but not perfume or clothing.”  But she said the people she interacted with yesterday on the island were still the “lovely and friendly” people she remembered during her last visit to the tropical island.

Camiller, who is on the cruise with her husband, Bruce, spent her day yesterday taking advantage of the shopping at Kmart and Guam Premier Outlets where she purchased items such as a watch band and makeup.

Tourism Boost

Having cruise ships dock on the island of Guam creates a financial opportunity for the port as well as the local economy.  Increasing the number of cruise ships that come to the island is a focus, according to Monte Mesa, the Guam Visitors Bureau board chairman.  There is a plan to change the area where cruise ships dock on the island, but that would only be executed if there is an increased interest in cruise liners stopping on island.

“The Port is not really conducive to cruise ship passengers because it’s a commercial cargo container area rather than a cruise ship terminal,” Mesa, who is the former board chairman for the Port Authority of Guam, said.

The Port and GVB are currently doing a study for potential locations to dock cruise ships on the island, Mesa said.  Two of the locations being considered for the short-term are the Port’s Hotel wharf property, as well as the area adjacent to the port employee beach.  Another area being considered, though for more long-term use, is Hagatna Bay, Mesa said.

“The Guam Visitors Bureau continues to promote the destination to cruise ships to make more port calls on Guam,” Mesa said.

Below are the number of cruise ships that have docked on Guam since 2005, approximate passenger and crew numbers, and projections through 2013:

2005: 4 cruise ships carrying 1,749 passengers and crew
2006: 6 cruise ships carrying 2,521 passengers and crew
2007: 7 cruise ships carrying 3,009 passengers and crew
2008: 10 cruise ships carrying 4,625 passengers and crew
2009: 7 cruise ships carrying 6,439 passengers and crew
2010: 7 cruise ships carrying 10,261 passengers and crew
2011: 6 cruise ships carrying 11,072 passengers and crew

Tags: Guam cruise industry, Guam cruises, Guam port, Guam Visitors Bureau, island cruise, Port Authority of Guam, Sun Princess, Sun Princess cruise ship, tropical island cruise