Luxurious cruise liner expected back in Guyana this November.

 

Georgetown-The Guyana National Industrial Company’s (GNIC) terminal was the port where the luxurious cruise liner, “Le Levant” docked on the morning of Saturday 12th March, 2011 at 7.50 h contrary to reports appearing in last Sunday’s edition of two local newspapers. 

 According to the company, GNIC’s Terminal has been handling stevedoring operations for the CMA-CGM group of which the owner of the Levant, Compagnie du Ponant, is an arm. Consequently, this terminal was chosen to handle the berthing and technical aspects of last Saturday’s call at our Port.  ‘Le Levant’ one of five (5) luxury yacht type cruise vessels operated by this company which is based in Marseilles, France.

The agent for CMA/CGM is NM Shipping and tour guides for the sightseeing city tour which the 34 passengers on board were treated to, were provided by local tour operators Wilderness Explorers.   They (passengers) were able to see some of Guyana’s rich culture and architecture located in the city centre, and to purchase souvenirs from the Hibiscus Plaza, even though the weather was uncooperative.  The tour lasted for three hours.

CEO of GNIC Clinton Williams, Vice Chairman of the Board, Carvil Duncan, Board Director, Norman McLean, and Terminal Manager, Nick Marx, were among the first aboard when the Levant docked.  Government officials, GNIC’s brass and operators in the hospitality industry were received by ‘Le Levant’s’ Captain Roger van Damme and his crew of 54. 

Gifts were presented and later officials with the media were conducted on a tour of the luxury yacht.  The Captain in his remarks, pointed out that his Company specializes in more intimate cruises and that the largest of its yachts accommodates just 264 passengers. 

The elegant ‘Levant’ measuring just 100 m in length has a shallow draft of 3.5 m that allows it to go into rivers, tributaries and to more exotic places especially in South America, into nooks and shallow waterways where larger cruise liners are unable to sail.  

The vessel departed at 13.00 h and is scheduled for a return call to Port Georgetown this November.