Barbados: Fall in Cruise ship arrivals

[Jason]

FALL IN Cruise ship arrivals

Source: The Barbados Advocate

THE number of cruise ship passengers arriving into the island between the first six months of this year has dropped by 17 per cent when compared to the same period in 2005. This comes despite the fact that the number of ships coming into the port has increased from 240 to 272, or 13.3 per cent.

The January to June figures were released by the Barbados Statistical Service yesterday, which clearly defined arrivals as the number of cruise ship passengers who did not permanently disembark in Barbados. On the other hand, the number of landed passengers made a 25.7 per cent leap from 51 775 in 2005 to 65 571 this year. This figure includes passengers who permanently disembarked in Barbados as well as direct-transits or transfer passengers, tourists and Barbadian residents.

Isolating the figures specifically to the month of June, a 10.5 per cent decrease in arrivals can be seen from the 2005 figure 25 596 to 22 905 this year. On a brighter note, the number of landed passengers made a 96.7 per cent jump in the month of June from its 364 total last year to 716 this year.

Also revealed yesterday were the tourist arrivals by country of residence during the first six months of this year in comparison to the same period last year, where a minimal increase of 4.6 per cent was recorded.

Figures revealed that there was an increase of 2.7 per cent from the United States and a 3.6 per cent increase in visitors from the United Kingdom.

However, making a substantial jump were arrivals from Germany and Trinidad and Tobago, which recorded 18.5 per cent and 17.4 per cent increases respectively. There was a 0.2 per cent decline in arrivals from other European countries and an 8.9 per cent increase in other CARICOM countries.

In June alone, there was an influx of Trinidadians coming into Barbados, raising the figure by 47.5 per cent over the same period last year. German arrivals also made a significant jump of 35.2 per cent.

[Gregswife]

We were in Barbados for the first time on our cruise last year and I was really unimpressed with the city. There was very little touisty shopping places and I thought the town was dirty. We actually ended up buying our souvenirs at the few outside booths at the port because we found nothing in town. Others we spoke to on the ship felt the same - wonder if that has anything to do with the drop in cruise travel to there??

[jbond]

I love Barbados. We were there last year and had a great time. The shopping on High Street is as good as most Caribbean ports and the island itself is beautiful. The Southern Caribbean is our favourite Caribbean itinerary.

[schatje]

We did a full day tour of Barbados and saw Harrison Cave, Bathsheba Beach, and went swimming with the sea turtles after touring the island. As all ports you need to get away from the dock and ask to see the real island. Once you get away from Bridgetown it wasn't as dirty and there was alot of pretty scenery.

[SCIROCCO]

I guess Cheryl that everyone has different views and ways of doing things! :wink: But it is a shame that they dont try and spruce the places up so we wont have to take a special tour just to see the Island as the saying goes! First Impressions last a Lifetime! :wink: so I would think they would like to have the first thing people see when they disembark would look like the rest of the Island! :wink:

[Love2Travel]

We didn't visit Bridgetown but took and off road jeep excursion to tour the island and then snorkeling. We found the island beautiful and the people extremely friendly. We'd love to go back again.

When we were there, the Queen Mary 2 was in port. pretty cool. They had just recently dredged the harbor deeper to accomadate the larger ships. That sounds like they want more cruise business...

[Longboysfan]

Where is High Street in relation to the port area.

I have run down the main street about 2 miles or so off the port area?

[jbond]

That's probably it. If you walk to the end there's St Michael's Cathedral and the old dry dock area. Great sea food.

In the dock area there are some neat bars and they sell flying fish sandwiches, goes great with a Banks beer.

[jacketwatch]

:cool: We liked it too. When we bought some "trinkets" at Columbian emeralds they tossed in a free bottle of Mt. Gay rum. I like that place. :grin: :cool:

[SCIROCCO]

:wink: Hi Jacketwatch! :grin:

Did you see if they had good coffee to buy? :wink: Im a coffee drinker and love all kinds of good strong coffees! And I like Black Coral as well!Its a real good key chain item to put on your Keychain! :wink: By the way! :wink: Hows the Rum! :grin: