Disney cruise passengers flock Tortola, VG, JVD
Disney Fantasy Cruise ship docked at the Tortola Pier on August 28.
Road Town was buzzing with activity as eager tourists from all over the world disembarked the Disney Fantasy cruise ship on Tuesday, August 28; much to the pomp and celebration at the Tortola Pier Park.
The cruise line’s return was highly anticipated as stakeholders had been getting ready to host larger ships to the destination since the 2017 weather events.
“For one thing it definitely signals our major return as a cruise destination,” Public Relations Officer at the BVI Tourist Board Keith Dawson told BVI News.
Information booths have been set up across most of the territory to provide information to cruise passengers visiting Virgin Gorda, Tortola and Jost Van Dyke. Free drink samples and live entertainment was also available.
Dawson said the sister island of Anegada of was not included as one of the excursion stops because of its distance.
However, that may soon change, Dawson said.
“It’s possible. But, we have to put an itinerary together to suit that and some of the tour companies are looking into that,” he said.
Dawson, in the meantime, said most visitors opted to embark on island tours and to the popular beaches in the territory.
“The tourists seem to be having a good time and enjoying the weather and our presence,” said Clive McCoy, Film Commissioner at the BVI Tourist Board which moved to ensure the Disney’s first return call goes smoothly.
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Let’s make this regular! Love it!
Such a beautiful day in Paradise
Truly heartened to see cruise visitors once again on our shores..
Sad that VG will not benefit from the visitors- the center of town was devasted and still in ruins as of June of this year. There are no business on the beaches and no local shops open open except at the Baths. I hear that even Scotia Bank is close!
This is the enthusiasm that we need from the Tourist Board, businesses and the public every day!
I hope we can deep up this positive spirit in the future as well!
don’t bother your a**e bringing cruise ship tours to Anegada
I agree, but the same level of concern should be given to the quality of life of residents. When tourists pass the areas of burning debris they take pics and question if the smokey patches are industrial areas. Hope the taxi men tell them the truth. Maybe if international attention comes to the issue, persons in authority will show some concern. We as a territory and as a district need to take action like the people of St. Martin.
https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/the-dump-problem
I’ll bet anything that your backside lives anywhere easy of the eternal dump sites. You have no idea what this ongoing smoke is doing to my family. Our eyes, throat and nasal area are irritated on a daily basis and we are not the only ones. Have empathy Lord Jesus. This situation is KILLING a community. When the shoe is not on your foot its easy to have an inconsiderate heart. But always remember, the world is round.
Awesome work tourism board! They have fought hard for the BVI since long before the storms. As for the usual complainers that type but don’t help- the quality of life of the residents is only going to get better with an influx of capital- capital that cruise ships definitely help bring. Keep your petition- St.Martin is a different story because they had a government with a storm recovery plan and insurance!
No problem finding their way back. Just follow the smoke in the air and sewerage in the water.
What benefit did anyone outside of the pier park get? Not a thing. Years ago people came to stay on the island and to charter boats and stayed at Nanny Cay or the Moorings for the night and had a day in Road Town where they spent a lot of money and were very friendly, often returning year after year to the same stores and restaurants. Now they avoid it like the plague because of the cruise shippers who might buy a beer or a t-shirt if it is cheap enough but that’s all.
Do you know about the shopping talks on board the ship? They promote St Thomas and St Martin for jewelry and electronics and tell them the prices and selection there are much better. They used to promote Sunny Caribbee and Pussers here (because they paid money and goods, watches etc) but I don’t think they do that any longer.