Kristina Cruise’s Kristina Katarina is making its way through the Caribbean, with three 15-day trips planned with airfare from Helsinki, Finland to Bridgetown, Barbados as first and last gateway to the Caribbean. This is the first time a Finnish passenger ship has docked in the Dominican Republic. It will be docking in Santo Domingo at the Sans Souci Port of Santo Domingo, with easy access to the Colonial City, Columbus Lighthouse and the Aquarium.
The ship, originally built in 1982, was refurbished in 2010. The cruises visit Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, Antigua, Dominican Republic, Aruba, Curacao, and Trinidad & Tobago, returning to Barbados for air departure to Helsinki.
The inaugural ship arrived on January 18 with 400 passengers on board. President Tarja Halonen of Finland sent a message to the Dominican people on the occasion of the ship’s first arrival. “I would like to welcome visitors from the Dominican Republic to Finland. Our country has much expertise to offer in areas of education, environment and green economy.”
She highlighted that the passengers on the inaugural cruise represented several segments of Finnish society and were led by a member of parliament, Jouko Skinnari.
For the occasion, ship captain Mikko Partanen and Sans Souci Ports board member Victor Macarrulla exchanged commemorative plaques. Finnish ambassador Mikko Pyhala, honorary Finnish vice consul Pasi Kapanen and Alex Schad of the Schad Shipping company took part in the first arrival ceremony.
The ship will be docking at the Don Diego Westside terminal of Sans Souci Ports. Other dates of arrival in Santo Domingo are 1-2 February, 15-16 Feb, and 29 February-1 March with 36 hours in port, with an arrival at noon and departure at 11pm the next day. The ship has 193 passenger cabins, including 119 outside cabins. Passengers are offered options of several tours, including welcome by the Ministry of Tourism folklore groups, beach day, cigar manufacturing demonstrations, and tasting of beer, rum, coffee and chocolate.
See www.kristinacruises.com/en/arkisto/cruises/caribbean-sea