UPDATE: Big ships will return by end of 1st quarter of 2018 – Hon Vanterpool
The Minister made this announcement to reporters while at a meet and greet welcome session on December 6, for the cruise ship Marella Discovery at the territory’s cruise pier and park on Tortola.
“We are obviously working hard to prepare even better for the bigger ships which bring about 5000 passengers, we thought it would be a good thing to work with the smaller ships first over the next couple of weeks, month or two and then by the end of the first quarter next year we believe we would be ready for the bigger ships, the bigger numbers were we would have the other beaches opened; Cane Garden Bay, Brewers Bay, and some of the other amenities on some of the other sister islands that when the bigger ships come we can welcome them in a bigger way.”
Territory is back & ready for business
Echoing sentiments that have drawn criticisms of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) who controversially said the Virgin Islands is “back on its feet and open for business”, Hon Vanterpool said the return of cruise lines to Tortola is a symbol that the territory is back and ready for business.
“We are very happy this cruise line came in today. It’s a good symbol that we are back and ready for business in the cruise industry. There are what we call a smaller ship load now. It used to be a big ship months ago. It’s 1800 passengers, 750 crew and we are glad that they are here.
“We are happy that not only today but tomorrow another ship is coming in – a sister ship to this one and in two weeks time they are coming back,” added Hon Vanterpool.
Additionally, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), along with several other government officials and members of the the BVI Tourist Board, was on hand to welcome the first cruise ship to berth at Tortola as the tourist season kicks start.
There were also exchanging of gifts by Premier and the cruise ship captain.
Still a beautiful place
Captain of the cruise ship Mr Hugh Maynard said Marella plans to make frequent calls on Tortola for the rest of the winter tourist season.
“This place is still a beautiful destination despite the devastation from the hurricane. Many of our tourists are happy to be away from the cold and honestly we are sure they will have a memorable stay here in the BVI,” said Captain Maynard.
Meanwhile, the taxi and livery operators were reportedly instructed to direct the passengers to Long Bay, Beef Island and to avoid the world famous Cane Garden Bay Beach due to the state of the road and the beach itself.
See previous article published December 6, 2017
Marella Discovery! First cruise ship to VI since hurricanes Irma & Maria
Many were pleasantly surprised and overjoyed to see a cruise ship in the port in Road Town, Tortola this morning, December 6, 2017, exactly three months after Hurricane Irma assaulted the Virgin Islands.
The Marella Discovery, belonging to Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson Cruises), is expected to be welcomed by Government Officials, including Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL).
There have been concerns about receiving cruise ships to the Virgin Islands due to the state of some roads and beaches. It is unclear if taxi and livery operators have been instructed where to and where not to take passengers.
It was on December 4, 2017 that Disney Cruise Line announced to its booked customers that they will be returning to the Eastern Caribbean, but with a slightly altered itinerary, a story first reported by this news site.
VI continues to recover
“Tortola, British Virgin Islands continues to recover from the effects of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. As a result, DCL will alter the ports of call for the Disney Fantasy Eastern Caribbean beginning with the December 30th sailing through March to include Philipsburg, St Maarten, instead of Tortola, British Virgin Islands,” the letter to its customers read.
According to disneycruiselineblog.com, pre-reserved Port Adventures in Tortola will automatically be removed from guests’ cruise activities. DCL encourages guests to explore Port Adventure opportunities in Philipsburg, St Maarten, by visiting DCL’s My Cruise Activities section of the website once the reservation is paid in full and within the Castaway Club level booking window.
As it stands, the next scheduled Disney Cruise to Tortola will be the April 7, 2018 departure of the Disney Fantasy.
More details to follow on the port of call of Marella Discovery.
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