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Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships to return Feb 11, 2021 for warm lay-ups

- Grandeur of the Seas departed Feb 6 & Rhapsody of the Seas today, Feb 7, 2021
Royal Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas departed the Virgin Islands on February 6, 2021, and Rhapsody of the Seas will leave today, February 7, 2021, after a month of warm lay-ups at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. Photo: VINO/File
Rhapsody of the Seas became the first cruise ship on January 11, 2021, to call to the territory since it had placed a ban on cruise vessels on March 14, 2020, due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Grandeur of the Seas, also of the Royal Caribbean Group, had arrived in the territory on January 12, 2021. Photo: VINO/File
Rhapsody of the Seas became the first cruise ship on January 11, 2021, to call to the territory since it had placed a ban on cruise vessels on March 14, 2020, due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Grandeur of the Seas, also of the Royal Caribbean Group, had arrived in the territory on January 12, 2021. Photo: VINO/File
Grandeur of the Seas; however, will return to the Territory alongside Vision of the Seas (in photo) on February 11, 2021, for a continuation of the warm lay-up, the BVI Ports Authority informed in a press release on February 5, 2021. Photo: Internet Source
Grandeur of the Seas; however, will return to the Territory alongside Vision of the Seas (in photo) on February 11, 2021, for a continuation of the warm lay-up, the BVI Ports Authority informed in a press release on February 5, 2021. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Royal Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas departed the Virgin Islands on February 6, 2021, and Rhapsody of the Seas will leave today, February 7, 2021, after a month of warm lay-ups at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park.

Grandeur of the Seas; however, will return to the Territory alongside Vision of the Seas on February 11, 2021, for a continuation of the warm lay-up, the BVI Ports Authority informed in a press release on February 5, 2021.

Warm lay-ups

The economic benefits of extending technical calls or warm lay-ups include ships carrying out refueling, repairs and start-up activities in the Territory before they set sail again.

The BVIPA had previously said it believes “maintaining a link with and continuing to service the cruising industry in the safe manner proposed with technical calls/warm lay-ups can be a vital part of the rebooting strategy.”

Rhapsody of the Seas became the first cruise ship on January 11, 2021, to call to the territory since it had placed a ban on cruise vessels on March 14, 2020, due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Grandeur of the Seas, also of the Royal Caribbean Group, had arrived in the territory on January 12, 2021.

Strict health & safety rules

The berthing of the cruise ships at the cruise pier was allowed under strict health and safety rules and crew members were not allowed to disembark.

“This is not a regular cruise call, the vessel does not have any guests on board, and it will be berthing exclusively to lay up, refuel, take on provisions and spare parts, and possibly other services,” Acting BVIPA Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard had said on January 11, 2021.

Meanwhile, BVIPA is reminding the public that the Cruise Pier is a secure zone and persons are not permitted past the security gate.

10 Responses to “Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships to return Feb 11, 2021 for warm lay-ups ”

  • LO (07/02/2021, 16:21) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    them gone 4 a nex shiment
  • Get Lost (07/02/2021, 18:37) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
    The curfew needs to lay-up out of here. Can't wait to vote them out
  • Docking fee (07/02/2021, 18:38) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I shake my head at those so excited to see a ship in port that they want valentines entertainment onboard and other liming comforts. Wake up folks. These ships are like wanting to sit in a rolls Royce at the wreck shop. Don't mind the lights looking beautiful outside. They ain't nowhere close to accommodate nobody other than workers so halt your excitement. Trigger hapoy set of jokers.
    The docking and port fees were to the government advantage. Also whatever else they bought here, water and little food.
  • and (07/02/2021, 18:57) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Who cares?
    • Hotel manager (08/02/2021, 08:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      My workers make me laugh and sad at the same time,, They were actually saying " Lord let them bring people when they coming back so we can get more hours and make more money"" Thats there wish, there hope, they are hurting...Deep down they know its not possivle..Just the mindset of the hard times..
  • sxm (07/02/2021, 23:02) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    They were in sxm and get put put. It cheaper foe them to do a little sail around and anchor than be dock all the time. It is sad that covid mess up so many businesses
    Would be interesting to see the future of cruise ships if we live to see things get normal again. That's if we will ever be free again
  • pretend times (08/02/2021, 09:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    At least they engine working enough to do a little sailout. They look nice when they lighted up but I guess that is it. Tell me somebody. I have park up by the cruise pier and no matter how long I stay, you never so nobody nowhere on them ship. Was wondering if the crew invisible or sumpen. But then i lookout again the next day and see what was rusty outside paintup. they probably come out and work after midnight. Wish them a safe sail
  • Sewage (08/02/2021, 14:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What do the cruise ships do with their sewage?
  • Accounts (08/02/2021, 20:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the sip stays for a month and quarantine is 4-14 days what would prevent the crew from disembarking after they testef negative and fulfilling the quarantine. What would prevent the sanitising of the ship and those who wish to board and view or board and party just the same way as those who sanitizer and enter a supermarket.
    At least the ship could be making money to spend money. Sanitizing agents food agents drink agents and gas agents and the government would all benefit.
    Come on let's not just think of self. Think of the company as well that accepted the offer to lay or hatch here.
  • Accounts (08/02/2021, 20:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If people can travel on a cluster plane why can't they cruise six feet apart

    There is ample space on a cruise liner ... They just have to accept that they can't touch ground any where

    So the cruise would have to alter it's stocks


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