Travel Dynamics International's U.S.-flagged 130-passenger Yorktown made the inaugural call and is scheduled to return next Monday.
After tendering ashore Yorktown guests were treated to performances by Garifuna musicians, browsed locally made crafts and set out on tours to the nearby rainforest as well as enjoyed the beach.
"It was rewarding to see Banana Coast come to life today with its first cruise passengers," said Randy Jorgensen, general manager of Grande Trujillo Authoridad, which developed the port. "Travel Dynamics' guests are interested in culture, history and nature when they cruise, and we are proud to offer a destination that delivers all of that and more."
Travel Dynamics International specializes in high-caliber educational cruises aboard intimate coastal cruise ships in North America, the Mediterranean, Antarctica and Africa. Banana Coast was added to Yorktown's "Tropical Islands, Rain Forests & Ancient Sites of Central America" itinerary.
Banana Coast has shopping, a newly built tender dock, reception center and transportation hub as well as 10 acres of beachfront right in the town of Trujillo, which was established in 1525. Diverse shore excursions feature the region’s Spanish colonial heritage and lush tropical setting with cultural, historical, soft-adventure and eco-tour offerings.
To date, five cruise lines have scheduled 20 calls on eight ships at Honduras' first mainland cruise destination. Holland America Line was the first major cruise company to commit to a series of port calls beginning in November 2014 through March 2015. Silversea Cruises has slated calls in December 2014 and March 2015. P&O Cruises and Oceania Cruises are slated to call in the first quarter of 2015.
