Port of Wilminton welcomes the first Chilean fruit ship

Port of Wilmington Welcomes m/v Aurora,
the Largest Cruise Ship to Call Wilmington

Wilmington, Del., September 15, 2007 – m/v Aurora’s visit to the Port of Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday September 15 is especially auspicious as it is the largest cruise ship ever to call at Delaware’s port. She is carrying passengers from England to US and Canadian cruise destinations. Wilmington is her first port of call after sailing from the port of Southampton, England on September 8. The Diamond State Port Corporation (DSPC) and the City of Wilmington will celebrate her arrival onboard Aurora with a traditional exchange of welcoming greetings and gifts. Mayor James Baker will present Captain Paul Brown, the Master of the Aurora, with the Key to the City and DSPC Executive Director Gene Bailey will present a special plaque to commemorate this event.

During Aurora’s short stay at the Port hundreds of cruise passengers will tour historical and cultural sites in the Delaware Valley region and have the opportunity to take advantage of tax free purchases at a Delaware shopping mall.

Built in 2000 by the Meyer Werft in Germany, m/v Aurora is owned and operated by P&O Cruises. She has a gross registered tonnage (GRT) of 76,152 tons, is 886 feet long and 106 feet wide. With a draft of 26 feet she can enter and exit most commercial ports around the world without much difficulty. At full capacity, she hosts 1900 passengers accommodated in 939 luxury cabins and hosted by a crew of 900.

m/v Aurora, the largest cruise
ship ever to call at the Port of Wilmington

Left to right: Captain Paul Brown, Wilmington Councilman Mike Brown, Wilmington Mayor James Baker, and DSPC Executive Director Gene Bailey

“We welcome P&O Cruises and m/v Aurora to the Port of Wilmington, and thank them for choosing Wilmington and the State of Delaware as their first destination upon arriving in the US. Visits like Aurora with so many passengers has a significant regional economic impact not only today but in the future in terms of potential repeat visits by our cruise guests in the months and years to come”, said DSPC Executive Director Gene Bailey. “We have worked closely with P&O Cruises, the local and federal agencies, and the Greater Wilmington Convention Visitors Bureau to make their stay and experience here a memorable one,” he added.

About the Port of Wilmington, Delaware
Founded in 1923, the Port of Wilmington is an economic engine responsible for over 19,000 jobs, $409 million in business revenue impact, and $28 million in annual State and local taxes. The Port is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, a corporation of the State of Delaware.

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