Cruise ships in Finisterre

[peregrina2000]

First one arrived today, 90 passengers, so we are not talking about big ships. The mayor thinks this is the way to go. Unfortunately, this group landed (having to be transported to the dock by auxiliary boats because there is no actual landing dock for cruise ships, even of this size), got in a bus, and headed for Santiago. So much for adding to the local economy.

Not sure I think this is a good idea, but no one asked me.

 

[Pathfinder075]

Maybe they'll create a cruise ship terminal for the massive numbers of tourists that might want to disembark. Maybe a direct train from the terminal to Santiago.
What would be ultimately more useful is if a ferry terminal was built, so that I could get a ferry to Finisterre, then walk to Santiago via Muxia (107km).

I'll get my coat.

 

[oursonpolaire]

Better a zipline from the cruise ship terminal, slowing down at 10km intervals to allow for the stamping of credencials.

 

[malingerer]

Better a zipline from the cruise ship terminal, slowing down at 10km intervals to allow for the stamping of credencials.

I'm glad I saw Finisterre years ago. I was there in May of this year and what a difference. Tourist buses at the headland, a lavvy! and a gift shop. Still miles of empty beaches however so all is not lost. And of course space on the forum for "wits".

samarkand.

 

[CaminoAddict]

First one arrived today, 90 passengers, so we are not talking about big ships. The mayor thinks this is the way to go. Unfortunately, this group landed (having to be transported to the dock by auxiliary boats because there is no actual landing dock for cruise ships, even of this size), got in a bus, and headed for Santiago. So much for adding to the local economy.

Not sure I think this is a good idea, but no one asked me.

I'm sure it must be a delicate topic throughout the region, as it is in some other European tourist ports, but for me this is a tourism issue which, hopefully, won't affect pilgrim accommodation or routes. More concerning for me is seeing minibus loads of tourists turning up at pilgrim accommodation (mainly 'high season' ) and causing difficulties for those who have had a long and tiring day's trek and are in need of sustenance, rest and a bed. But lets hope they don't dredge-out the beautiful harbour for cruise liners and start building a motorway route to Santiago or beyond.
Regards
Ralph Keith

 

[dick bird]

A Coruña already has a fast train service to Santiago and regularly hosts cruise ships with a capacity much more than 90, so I´m not entirely sure what the mayor of Fisterra is hoping to achieve.

This is one not entirely serious proposal for how to deal with the problem.

 

[Pathfinder075]

It probably won't happen. A Coruña is 96.4km from Santiago. They would be denied.

Is this why this option exists when registering?

 

[tpmchugh]

Maybe they'll create a cruise ship terminal for the massive numbers of tourists that might want to disembark. Maybe a direct train from the terminal to Santiago.
What would be ultimately more useful is if a ferry terminal was built, so that I could get a ferry to Finisterre, then walk to Santiago via Muxia (107km).

I'll get my coat.

There already is a terminal in Vigo where many ships dock and run bus excursions to Santiago. Have done the excursion myself a couple of times. Cruise ships also stop in A Coruña and run buses to Santiago.

 

[CWBuff]

Still miles of empty beaches however so all is not lost.

samarkand.

Jist you 'ait 'Enry 'Iiggins.....

IMHO that would be a huge shame!

 

[Camineiro]

It probably won't happen. A Coruña is 96.4km from Santiago. They would be denied.

Is this why this option exists when registering?

View attachment 154790

No!

It is possible to do the pilgrimage on a sailing ️ yacht.
You have to call at several ports along the north coast and get your credencial stamped.

Navigating the Camino: pilgrimage to Santiago by sea

'Sail the Way' Jacobean Route: pilgrim makes his or her pilgrimage not on foot, bicycle or horseback but on the seas

www.elcaminoconcorreos.com

The Camino by the Sea on Sail Boat

Your greatest adventure. Enjoy the Camino de Santiago by sea by sailing boat from La Rochelle, in France, or from any of the intermediate ports. With impeccable organisation and the best companions. A multitude of sightseeing, natural and gastronomic activities.

elcaminoavela.com

 

[SteveSherry]

First one arrived today, 90 passengers, so we are not talking about big ships. The mayor thinks this is the way to go. Unfortunately, this group landed (having to be transported to the dock by auxiliary boats because there is no actual landing dock for cruise ships, even of this size), got in a bus, and headed for Santiago. So much for adding to the local economy.

Not sure I think this is a good idea, but no one asked me.

‘No one asked me’, I love it, but on a more serious note, no one asked me either. This whole cruise industry doesn’t have the local community in mind. It all about profit. I’m not having a go at passengers; if it’s available and interests them, they are entitled to go. The local economy wouldn’t be able to fund a port expansion, and the local fishermen would be up in arms. I have a sister who has done more cruises this year than my annual budget, so they pay big bikkies for the privilege of visit. Many people bus it after a Camino to see the End. I’m good with that.
On another related point, I have returned from Finisterre 3 times by bus and always feel sick from the ride. I thought it was just me but my son, much more hardy than me, felt the same last time. Walk to Muxia, one lovely day, enjoy the magic, and have a pleasant bus ride the next day.
What more can I say, peregrina 2000, maybe next time they will ask us instead of the Mayor.

 

[trecile]

This whole cruise industry doesn’t have the local community in mind. It all about profit.

Profit is the goal of business and industry. It seems that Finisterre is hoping that the passengers will spend the day (and their money) there and not take a bus to another destination.

 

[Pathfinder075]

No!

It is possible to do the pilgrimage on a sailing ️ yacht.
You have to call at several ports along the north coast and get your credencial stamped.

Navigating the Camino: pilgrimage to Santiago by sea

'Sail the Way' Jacobean Route: pilgrim makes his or her pilgrimage not on foot, bicycle or horseback but on the seas

www.elcaminoconcorreos.com

The Camino by the Sea on Sail Boat

Your greatest adventure. Enjoy the Camino de Santiago by sea by sailing boat from La Rochelle, in France, or from any of the intermediate ports. With impeccable organisation and the best companions. A multitude of sightseeing, natural and gastronomic activities.

elcaminoavela.com

I thought i'd seen it all and I guess I have now.

But I guess it floats someones boat.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

First one arrived today, 90 passengers, so we are not talking about big ships. The mayor thinks this is the way to go. Unfortunately, this group landed (having to be transported to the dock by auxiliary boats because there is no actual landing dock for cruise ships, even of this size), got in a bus, and headed for Santiago. So much for adding to the local economy.

Not sure I think this is a good idea, but no one asked me.

Lots of fighting about cruise ships in my part of the world. Sometimes it can be a money-making issue for the town because they can charge a per-passenger docking fee. But it also costs money to host them. You'd have to get down to the weeds of it to really know what's going on.

Data showing that it's a financial gain or a financial loss for the local town is always being brought up. It's a complex problem, and I can see both sides of the issue. Local businesses tend to like it. I think they're unsightly and polluting. But I would probably feel differently if I was making money off of them.

 

[maryloufrommadison]

They should take a tip from Venice and ban the ships. But then, I've never been a cruise person.