BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Over 21,000 sun and fun seeking cruise passengers visited St. Kitts in the past five days, according to the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA).
SCASPA says over 17,000 passengers are expected between this Tuesday and Saturday.
Six thousand passengers visited on December 26th, 5,793 on December 27th and 4,619 on December 25th.
On December 24th, the 2,500-passenger Norwegian Dawn arrived from Barbados with 2,693 passengers and 1,071 crew and departed for Florida.
On December 25th, the 1,611-passenger Thomson Destiny arrived from Dominica with 1,420 passengers and 523 crew. It left early evening for Tortola. The 3,473-passenger Carnival Victory berth at Port Zante with 3,199 passengers and 1,057 crew. It arrived from St. Lucia and sailed for Antigua.
December 26th saw the 3,100-passenger Ruby Princess docking from St. Lucia with 3,326 passengers and 1,118 crew before departing for St. Thomas. Arriving from St. Thomas was the 3,100-passenger Grand Princess with 2,737 passengers and 1,050 crew, before departing for St. Vincent.
Four ships visiting Sunday, Dec. 27th were the 3,100-passenger Ventura with 3,087 passengers and 1,232 crew; the 2,680 passenger Carnival Miracle with 2,529 passengers and 920 crew; the Wind Spirit arrived from St. Maarten with 145 passengers and a crew of 95 and the 69-passenger Sea Cloud arrived from Jost Van Dyke with 35 passengers and a crew of 60.
(Photo by Erasmus Williams)
Most of the passengers came ashore and went on sightseeing tours via taxis, the Scenic Railway and tour buses to Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, Romney Manor, Caribelle Batik, the National Museum, as well as snorkeling, sun and sea bathing at the island’s best beaches, sailing, hiking and shopping for souvenirs.
(Photo by Erasmus Williams)
On Tuesday, Dec. 29th the 2,500-passenger Serenade of the Seas, the 2,388-passenger Arcadia and the 200-passenger Seabourn Pride will dock at Port Zante.
The 3,840-passenger Explorer of the Seas and the 2,850 passenger Celebrity Solstice visit on Wednesday 30th; the 2,600-passenger Queen Mary comes on Thursday 31st and the 3,473-passenger Carnival Victory on Saturday 2nd.
Cruise tourism pumped US$44 million or EC$118 million into the St. Kitts and Nevis economy during the 2008/2009 cruise year.
