Jump to content
  • We'd love for you to participate.

    Create an account

    Ask questions, share experiences and connect.

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now

Daytime ship visit to St. Croix yet to materialize

Rate this topic


Jason

Recommended Posts

Daytime cruise ship visit to St. Croix yet to materialize [/size]

By CHRISTINE LETT, Virgin Island Daily News

ST. CROIX - Luxury-cruise line Oceania Cruises has yet to submit a request to dock during the day at the Ann Abramson Pier in Frederiksted, in contrast to reports circulating that a date has been set for early January.

Sen. Neville James announced earlier this week that there was a strong possibility that an Oceania Cruises cruise ship would call on the island Jan. 5 from 3 to 10 p.m. It would be the first day call for the island in a year.

Oceania Cruises' fleet consists of three mid-size ships that each hold 684 guests and 400 staff. The ships feature varied restaurants, spas and medical centers that cater to sophisticated travelers.

Regatta, Insignia and Nautica sail itineraries that include China, India, South America, Central America, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, which is presented as a tempting diversion from the winter doldrums.

James said in a prepared statement that an Oceania cruise ship was "seriously considering" the Jan. 5 day call and that passengers were anticipating shore excursions, tours and shopping. He also called on the St. Croix Taxi Federation, tour guides and vendors to be ready for the visit.

He said that the visit was a trial port call that could be a strong move to include St. Croix on future itineraries.

However, no confirmation has come from Oceania or the V.I. Port Authority, which must give the cruise line permission to dock, that the cruise ship would make a daytime port call to St. Croix.

"We have no information at this time," said John Payne, V.I. Port Authority marine chief, said Friday.

Payne said he met with Oceania Cruises representatives on Dec. 13, the night that Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas kicked off a season of refueling stops at the Frederiksted pier. Royal Caribbean receives fuel at a discount from HOVENSA when its ships refuel on St. Croix.

On nights that Royal Caribbean's cruise ships refuel at Frederiksted, commonly referred to as a bunker call, the V.I. Tourism Department puts on a "Cultural Bazaar," a street fair on King Street that features mocko jumbies, a festival troupe and steel- pan music.

The department uses the bazaar to lure cruise passengers off the ships to show cruise lines St. Croix's desire and potential for daytime calls. The department also hopes the nighttime stops will spark passengers' interest in returning to St. Croix for overnight visits.

Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas, which holds 2,501 passengers, will bunker on Wednesday.

According to the Port Authority's cruise ship schedule, Royal Caribbean, the only cruise line expected to call on Frederiksted this season, will make 18 more refueling stops at Frederiksted. No daytime cruise calls are scheduled.

Payne said Oceania's representatives were "impressed" with the street fair.

"They were very impressed with what they had seen and said they would get back to me," he said. "We haven't received anything as yet."

James' office remains confident that Oceania Cruises will visit St. Croix in January.

Melody Rames, James' media director, said Friday that Oceania Cruises could dock on any day between Jan. 6 and Jan. 12.

"The fact is that they're really looking forward to coming here," Rames said.

News of a daytime port call has generated excitement in the community because it could mean a small boost in the island's economy. Businesses, particularly in the downtown areas, have suffered since cruise ships stopped making regular day calls to St. Croix after the 2001-02 winter season.

Cruise lines cited concerns about crime and a lack of passenger interest in the island.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...