US VIRGIN ISLANDS – The US Virgin Islands has welcomed the unveiling of Royal Caribbean International’s new Caribbean itineraries which include two additional ships regularly calling on the Virgin Islands.
USVI Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. said Royal Caribbean’s new 2013-2014 deployment calendar demonstrates the cruise line’s continued commitment to the Virgin Islands, and to the re-emergence of St. Croix as a port-of-call.
“The Virgin Islands has a wonderful relationship with Royal Caribbean, and that is reflected in the cruise line’s newest itineraries, which frequently call on the territory’s ports,” de Jongh declared.
Jewel of the Seas will visit St. Thomas several times during the 2013-2014 season, and Adventure of the Seas will call on St. Thomas and St. Croix on various voyages, Royal Caribbean announced.
Royal Caribbean International’s announcement of the remainder of its voyages for the season after next marks the cruise line’s largest deployment ever in the Caribbean region.
The deployment will include an increase in summer calls to the Virgin Islands by 16 – eight on St. Thomas and eight on St. Croix.
Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas will continue to alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries with stops in St. Thomas, while Freedom of the Seas’ Eastern Caribbean itinerary lists calls on St. Thomas.
“Royal Caribbean International thanks Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. and his administration for their continued support of Royal Caribbean,” said Michael Ronan, Vice President of Government Relations, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “The US Virgin Islands has been a great partner for a very long time and we are delighted to expand our deployment in the region to offer our guests unforgettable summer Caribbean vacation options.”
USVI Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty, who attended high level meetings in Miami last week with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), echoed the governor’s sentiments on the cruise additions to the territory – which already harbors hundreds of cruise ship visits each year.
“The newly announced itineraries reflect Royal Caribbean’s belief that the Ports of the Virgin Islands are highly desired by its passengers, and will remain so in the coming years. We are pleased about the additional ships that will be visiting the territory, especially during the summer months.”
