BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Although four cruise ships have not been able to dock as a result of high wind since the start of the 2007/2008 cruise ship season last October, the arrival rate stands at just over 95 percent, Minister of State for Tourism, Sen. the Hon. Richard Skerritt disclosed on Wednesday.
This week Monday, the 3,080-passenger ship, Crown Princess and on Wednesday, the 3,120-passenger Emerald Princess aborted scheduled calls to St. Kitts as a result of high winds.
He said that a total of 119 calls are scheduled for the 2007/2008 cruise ship season and with the four ships aborting visits to date, “this is an arrival rate of 96.64 percent. Ninety-three (93) calls are remaining for the season, with seventy-three (73) between now and April 30th.
“We must show empathy with those who have missed an opportunity to do business, but we also have to educate them and communicate better to the public about the facts of our Port and harbour conditions in the face of acts of God – high winds,” said Minister Skerritt.
Minister Skerritt said the other two ships which aborted calls to St. Kitts as a result of high wind were the 2,076-passenger Legend of the Seas on December 31st and the 3,050-passenger Carnival Destiny on January 24th.
“With winds in excess of 30 knots out of the east, it is nearly impossible to safely come alongside the berth and even more difficult to maneuver off the berth if the winds conditions do not improve at the time of sailing,” said Vice President of Princess Cruises, Steve Nielsen in a statement Wednesday following the decision of the captain of the Emerald Princess, not to dock on Wednesday morning due to the weather.
“On all occasions winds were well above 30 knots and there is no evidence that ‘a tug’ would have made a difference,” said Minister Skerritt.
Vice President of Princess Cruises Steve Nielsen confirmed that the Crown Princess and the Emerald Princess, “abort their scheduled calls at St. Kitts on Monday and today (Wednesday) due to weather.”
“With winds in excess of 30 knots out of the east, it is nearly impossible to safely come alongside the berth and even more difficult to maneuver off the berth if the winds conditions do not improve at the time of sailing,” he said in an email to Minister of State for Tourism, Sen. the Hon. Richard Skerritt; Chief Executive Officer of the St. Christopher Air and Sea Port Authority, Mr. Errol Douglas; Mr. Jason Brazier of Delisle Walwyn & Co., cruise ship agents and the captains of the Emerald Princess and the Crown Princess.
Queen Mary 2 (left) and Carnival Destiny berth at Port Zante (Photo by Ornella Halliday)
