Her Majesty in Valle Gran Rey once again

Thomson Majesty approaching the harbour of Valle Gran Rey early yesterday morning...

The cruise ship 'Thomson Majesty' paid the first visit of this winter season to Valle Gran Rey's harbour of Vueltas. The passengers enjoyed the fine weather yesterday and many were seen exploring the lower valley while others were discovering the whole island by tour coach and appreciating the exceptionally clear views (see separate post). 'Thomson Majesty' will visit La Gomera seven more times this season and will dock four times in San Sebastian de La Gomera, while she'll visit Valle Gran Rey once each in February, March and April 2017. 

It is always nice to see a ship in the all too often vacant outer harbour which just begs to be properly completed and put to use.

...and berthing in the outer harbour of Vueltas a short time later

Cruise ship Thomson Majesty back in Valle Gran Rey

Yesterday saw the return of the large cruise ship Thomson Majesty to Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera. This time passengers had more time to explore the area as the ship stayed the whole day and not just half the day as on previous visit. Many of her crew were out and about as well and both passengers and crew were very impressed with Valle Gran Rey as a cruise ship destination and the glorious weather yesterday.

Majesty back in Valle Gran Rey

Valle Gran Rey in La Gomera's southwest saw the arrival of the first cruise ship this winter season yesterday morning. Once again the 679ft 'Thomson Majesty'' paid a visit to the harbour of Vueltas with her mostly British passengers. The cruise liner with a maximum capacity of 1.970 passengers had been here before last year and yesterday docked at 7.30 am to the sound of Canarian folk music and El Silbo whistling, organised by the local administration to greet the passengers. A free shuttle bus was offered to visit the distinct parts of the lower Valle Gran Rey area and the music was moved around the different 'barrios' as well. 'Her Majesty' left again at 2pm, bound for Madeira with many souvenirs bought here aboard. Some shops even completely sold out their stocks of bottled water as it was a hot day. I met some Irish passengers who told me that their short visit here was a  great discovery and they now plan to return for a longer holiday on La Gomera.

'Majesty' cruise ship visits Valle Gran Rey

The huge (570 ft) cruise liner Thomson Majesty docked in the port of Vueltas in Valle Gran Rey on La Gomera early yesterday (Sunday) morning and stayed until late lunchtime. The restaurants, cafes and a few shops in Vueltas that open on Sundays were kept very busy as many of the estimated 1500 passengers explored the area. It was the first time a cruise ship of such dimensions berthed in Vueltas and her Majesty took up the entire length of the pier in the outer harbour. The visit was due to a very busy cruise holiday season and the pier of La Gomera's capital was occupied by another cruise ship.

By the way, the Thomson Majesty was in the headlines in February of 2013 when five of her crew died in an accident during a safety drill while visiting neighbouring La Palma island.  Read: Five crew die on cruise ship 'Thomson Majesty'

Thomson Majesty leaving Valle Gran Rey bound for Funchal on Madeira yesterday

Cruise ship season ending soon

The MS Braemar in the harbour of Valle Gran Rey

AidaVita visiting La Gomera

 This winter season La Gomera almost doubled the visits of cruise ship with about 80.000 passengers coming to see the island. The season is drawing to a close as cruise operators  move their ships to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean for the summer season. Today however the 'Braemar' operated by Fred. Olsen cruises is expected to call on La Gomera the second-last time and on Saturday the 'AidaVita' is expected to dock for the last time this season in San Sebastian de La Gomera for a stop that was programmed for last week but postponed due to adverse weather conditions. The 'Thomson Celebration' will also visit La Gomera one more time until the new season begins in October.

MS Thomson Celebration arriving in San sebastian de La Gomera recently

La Gomera popular cruise ship destination

Aida Vita approaching La Gomera at sunrise yesterday

La Gomera is becoming increasingly popular as a destination for cruise ships and for the current season about 85 cruise liners have included the island in their itineraries.  La Gomera has received the highest marks by passengers  over the past couple of years and the same was achieved for the shore excursions. The photos were taken yesterday when the Aida Vita paid us a visit. 

Exploring La Gomera's beauty (left: Roque Agando)