MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Buenos Aires “invaded” by 10.000 visitors in six cruises

Sinfonia cruise vessel at Bs. Aires Port

Three major cruise vessels with 10.000 tourists called in Buenos Aires over the weekend signaling a peak for the current season.

The first to arrive were Seaborn Pride and GTS Infinity and the following day Costa Romantica, Golden Princess, MSC Sinfonia and Seadream. "When any vessel arrives there's a security operation but on this occasion we had to multiply our efforts by six", said Buenos Aires port Coast Guard spokesperson Angel Navarro. Normal procedure is for all vessels to be checked by an explosives brigade and a team of divers. According to Navarro some of the cruise vessels come from Brazil, others from Uruguay and from Chile. "In Argentina besides Buenos Aires they visit Puerto Madryn, Malvinas, Ushuaia and Antarctica". The 2006/07 cruise season in Buenos Aires which begun last October 15, with the Nordnorge, and will extend until April first includes 91 calls. So far, 54 cruise vessels have called in Argentina's capital totaling 105.026 visitors, most of them from United States, Brazil and European countries.