T+L takes a look at the most anticipated cruise port developments around the world.
Rio de Janeiro: As all eyes turn to Rio for the World Cup (and the 2012 UN Earth Summit and 2016 Olympics), the city is investing millions of reals into the existing Pier Maua, which will allow cruise passengers to visit nearby sites such as the Santiago Calatrava–designed Museum of Tomorrow.
Le Havre, France: A longtime gateway to Paris, Le Havre has become more than just a place of passage, thanks to a thriving cultural scene—including the Musée d’Art Moderne André Malraux and Jean Nouvel’s Les Bains des Docks swimming complex.
Singapore: This city-state is a must for many Asia-bound travelers thanks to its concert hall, gleaming new hotels and resorts (Fullerton Bay Hotel; Marina Bay Sands), and dynamic food scene. A new terminal opening in mid 2012 will double ship capacity, making it easier than ever to visit.
Trujillo, Honduras: When it debuts later this year, this cobblestoned colonial settlement will be Honduras’s first mainland port, giving cruisers access to the lush Banana Coast’s Capiro-Calentura mountain preserve and the new Campo del Mar monkey sanctuary.
Falmouth, Jamaica: To accommodate its Oasis-class mega-liners, Royal Caribbean (in partnership with the country’s port authority) opened Jamaica’s fourth cruise port in this charming 18th-century trading town between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.
London: The 2012 Olympic host plans to be ready for the crowds when it opens a terminal closer to central London. The port will be part of a larger refurbishment of the historic Enderby Wharf, which will include a 251-room hotel and public square on the Thames.
