Holland America Line’s Marella Discovery and Marella Celebration are the first cruise ship calls
By
Elizabeth Robinson |
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has received its first official cruise ship calls of the season with the visits from Holland America Line’s Marella Discovery and Marella Celebration bringing a combined total of 2,800 passengers to the territory.
Passengers were greeted by a welcoming committee who provided guests with information as they disembarked and entered the port facility.
The ships were formally welcomed by a Government delegation led by the Premier, Orlando Smith, OBE and minister of communications and works, Mark Vanterpool.
In a welcome ceremony onboard the Marella Discovery, the leader assured the Captain and other ship officials that the territory would continue to rebuild following recent hurricanes for greater sustainability and reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to enhancing the BVI’s offerings to cruise visitors.
Whilst this was the first formal call to the territory for the cruise season and the first at the Tortola Pier Park, the Sea Dream made a call on the sister islands of Jost Van Dyke and Anegada on 30 November and 1 December.
“It is exciting to welcome the cruise business back to the territory and even more encouraging was the positive feedback which we have received from visitors,” said Sharon Flax-Brutus, director of tourism.
“They stated their admiration for the resilience of our residents and our commitment to rebuilding our tourism industry and territory. The guests were only directed to the locations and establishments that were open and had the facilities to safely host them. We know that there is still a lot of work to be done but this is ongoing, and we expect more places to be ready to welcome guests on the next cruise ship calls to the territory. The Tourist Board continues to work along with our industry partners and global agencies in communicating our progress to the global tourism marketplace.”