Aida Perla with 1700 passengers on board docks at Port Zante in St Kitts and Nevis

Aida Perla cruise with over 1700 passengers on board docked at the Port Zante of St Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday. Since March 2020, it was the first instance when three ships were docked at the same time at Port Zante.

Acting Prime Minister Shawn K. Richards handed over a token of appreciation to Boris Becker- Captain of Aida Perla, as the ship made its inaugural visit on the island.

He said since July 22nd, St Kitts and Nevis have had 21 cruise ship calls from various cruise line partners including, Holland America, Mystic Cruises, AIDA, Celebrity Cruise Line, Viking, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise. He said no cruise ships related coronavirus cases had been discovered, and St Kitts and Nevis continue to move in the right direction.

Acting Prime Minister thanked AIDA Cruise line, "We have had visits from the AIDA Sol and AIDA Luna, and now we have the AIDA Perla for the very first time. Clearly, we have an extraordinary relationship with AIDA cruise line and by extension Carnival Corporation, the parent company of the AIDA brand."

He said AIDA is a brand that caters primarily to the German Demographic, and these individuals are adventurous and seek out destinations for their authenticity.

"As a Government, we continue to make decisions that balance lives and livelihoods, but it must be noted that the health and safety of our nationals and residents remain our top priority," said Shawn K. Richards- Acting Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis.

Shawn Richards also thanked various stakeholders, including the taxi and tour bus operators, shore excursion operators, Port Zante merchants, Attraction Sites, Vendors, Agents and supporting agencies such as SCASPA, the St Kitts Tourism Authority and the UDC, for the effort they have placed in working together to make the cruise season a reality.