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NCL official blasts ‘rumour’ of Norwegian Cruise Line pulling out of VI

-affirms company's commitment to the VI territory & people
General Counsel and Chief Development Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line, Mr Dan Farkas blasted a rumour that the cruise line intends to pull out of the [British] Virgin Islands market following the cancellations of five calls to the territory in April 2024. Photo: Facebook
 The Norwegian Jade, a cruise ship under the Norwegian Cruise Line brand, will be making 5 calls to the Virgin Islands (VI) to make up for the cancellation of calls by another Norwegian cruise ship. Photo: Internet Source
The Norwegian Jade, a cruise ship under the Norwegian Cruise Line brand, will be making 5 calls to the Virgin Islands (VI) to make up for the cancellation of calls by another Norwegian cruise ship. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – An official from Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has blasted a rumour that the cruise line intends to pull out of the [British] Virgin Islands market and that the cancellations of five calls to the territory in April 2024, were a sign of such intentions.

Since then, the Norwegian Jade, a cruise ship under the Norwegian Cruise Line brand, has added 5 calls to the Virgin Islands (VI) following the cancellation of some of its calls to the territory scheduled for May and June.

The originally cancelled calls were scheduled for May 16, May 23, May 30, June 20, and June 27, 2024, under the Norwegian brand; however, the Norwegian Jade will now make up for the cancellations. 

Speaking at a press conference hosted by the BVI Ports Authority and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association on May 14, 2024, General Counsel and Chief Development Officer of the cruise line, Mr Dan Farkas blasted the rumours and questioned its origin as nothing but false.

Cancellations were due to 'a mechanical issue'- NCL

“I guess a rumour spread through the BVI, and I don't know how, that Norwegian was pulling out of Tortola because we cancelled 5 calls. The only truth in that statement is that Norwegian Cruise Line did cancel 5 calls,” he said. 

“It was not because of any safety issues; it was not because of some passengers absconding. It was a mechanical issue that slowed the vessel down,” Mr Farkas said.

He said as soon as NCL heard about how the cancellations had affected the people of the VI, the cruise line changed the Norwegian Jade from sailing from another destination and pointed it towards the VI.

According to information from the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA), Jade will call to the VI on June 11, June 25, July 9 and 23 and on August 6, 2024.

Some persons in the VI had erroneously suggested that the cancellations were a result of the cruise line having no interest in the territory.

12 Responses to “NCL official blasts ‘rumour’ of Norwegian Cruise Line pulling out of VI”

  • asura (16/05/2024, 07:48) Like (13) Dislike (17) Reply
    LET WICKED CRAZY CINDY AND JOHN CLINE TAKE THAT, THEY HATE WE PEOPLE TOO MUCH AND WANT TO SEE THE COUNTRY FAIL
  • lodger (16/05/2024, 07:54) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great news taxi man them happy
  • U no me. (16/05/2024, 08:06) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Excellent news. Listening the press xonference just seems like we not getting the whole truth. One thing they made clear though, If it comea down to a choice between the USVI and the BVI. They going with the USVI.. Having Carnival is great news, they are the most seek after ships.The ships all destination loved
  • 2024 (16/05/2024, 08:56) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Investing money in platforms you have no control over is a bad thing because what prevents those cruise ships from disrupting their operations into this territory and simply says there was mechanical failures…….almost 10 years the West End Ferry Terminal in Bad-Shape……been hearing about upgrading the Beef Island Airport

    • Well Well (16/05/2024, 13:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sometimes you have to listen to school children. Because NCL Spokesman did say:He said as soon as NCL heard about how the cancellations had affected the people of the VI, the cruise line changed the Norwegian Jade from sailing from another destination and pointed it towards the VI. So where is the truth.?
  • Blast?? (16/05/2024, 09:29) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not really. NCL spoke persons are stating the BVI roads are not in good shape.
  • watch (16/05/2024, 09:34) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    Yes ..... We get another 25000 people to crowd our islands and spend no money
  • enough (16/05/2024, 09:34) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    What reporters, bloggers and news sites don't seem to understand is the more NEGATIVE information that you put out the more you are KILLING the tourism sector.
  • Maria Louisa Varlack (16/05/2024, 10:00) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    you politicians in the bvi can do a whole lot better.
  • please (16/05/2024, 12:22) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    I wish our news sites wouldnt just spout out what they are told but actually investigate. The Jada is a much smaller ship than the ones that cancelled so not nearly as many visitors. The Jada was added to the schedule before the cancellation was announced so now this is just trying to save face.
  • cnn (17/05/2024, 05:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    They know the hand that feeds.


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