Cruises continue to Antigua after hurricanes

Last updated: November 9, 2017 at 11:31 am

Antigua’s main ports of call – Heritage and Redcliffe Quays – played host to four cruise vessels on Tuesday.

The arrivals transformed St John’s into a hub of tourist activity.

Two of the four vessels were welcomed by Antigua and Barbuda’s Tourism and Cruise Authorities after they diverted from hurricane struck St Maarten which suffered major infrastructural damage.

“This inaugural marks a special occasion to the cruise sector of our country for it means that our tourism product is being enhanced, our culture and local heritage is being experienced and our hospitality welcomed,” said Marvo Newton-Richards, acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, during an official welcome ceremony on board the Mein Schiff 6.

“Although we definitely do not revel in our neighbours’ misfortunes, we are cognizant of the fact that it takes a breath-taking experience for a visitor to give a pleasant referral and that is what we aim to accomplish in the quest to keep our cruise industry buoyant”.

Kjell Holm, captain of the Mein Schiff 6, said that he had captained all previous Mein Schiff vessels on their inaugural calls into Antigua and Barbuda.

English Harbour is his favourite port in the Caribbean, he added.

Independence of the Seas also took stopped at Heritage Quay as a diversion from Sint Maarten.