First cruise stop in Dominica since Hurricane Maria

Dominica has welcomed its first cruise ship call to its shore since the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria in September.

On Thursday, the Nature Island welcomed SY Sea Cloud II of Sea Cloud Cruises, which anchored ay Purple Turtle Beach in Portsmouth.

WIC News understands that approximately 200 passengers were on board when it made its call.

Once on land the visitors took part in a number of the excursions on offer in the north of the island, including tours to Fort Shirley at the Cabrits National Park and horseback riding on Purple Turtle Beach.

The category five Hurricane Maria caused major damage to the island’s economy, including the tourism sector.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Dominica was on course for a 44.3% increase in cruise passenger arrivals in the 2017/2018 season compared to the year before.

But the storm curtailed this growth, with many cruise lines cancelling their December calls to the Dominica.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] SY Sea Cloud II passengers head to shore.[/caption]

The MV Mein Schiff 3 of TUI Cruises is scheduled to dock in Roseau at the end of January, bring over 2,000 passengers.

Costa Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Lines are still scheduled to call during the 2017/2018 cruise season.

Colin Piper, the head of Discover Dominica tourism authority, said in November that hotel rooms were slowly reopening.