Sister cruise ships simultaneously dock in BVI for first time
Iona of P&O Cruises. Photo Credit: Alton Bertie
The Virgin Islands welcomed a historic visit last week as sister vessels Iona and Arvia from the renowned P&O Cruises fleet docked in the territory for the first time.
According to the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA), Iona arrived for an overnight stay on Thursday, January 23, while Arvia docked the following day. This visit marked the inaugural call of Iona to the British Virgin Islands and the first instance of both sister ships docking simultaneously in the territory.
Passengers and crew from both vessels were warmly welcomed at the port before venturing out to explore the Virgin Islands’ attractions.
The BVIPA has highlighted upcoming multiple cruise ship days, with increased tourist activity expected on February 8 and March 5. Residents are advised to anticipate bustling tourist hubs such as the Cyril B. Romney Pier Park, popular beaches, and the sister islands.
The territory has seen a significant boost in visitor arrivals, with 2024 surpassing one million visitors for the first time since 2016. Of these, 768,293 were cruise ship passengers, reflecting a 6.8% increase from the 719,519 cruise arrivals in 2023.
In January 2025 alone, the territory has already welcomed approximately 16,000 visitors, fueled by a busy cruise ship season.
In November 2024, Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley expressed optimism about the tourism sector’s growth, emphasising efforts to sustain the industry during traditionally slow periods.
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Not exactly. Arvia is 2 years old and 184.7 thousand gross tons. Iona is 4 years old and 184.1 gross tons. Both are Excellence class ships built in Germany and operated by P&O Cruises. There is a 611 difference in the gross tonnage between the 2 ships. In maritime tonnage 611 gross tons equals the tonnage of 3 local barges plying the sea route between Tortola and San Juan or 6 local ferries! With these cruise ships its more like BIG sister and little sister.
@ Sister ships ?
Is it really that deep. Big or little, they are still sisters. Lol
Nit picker!
Who’s P&O ?
Who is dem mother and father. Dem from down island or dem born here? What ah ting to tell the king. Charlie boy tis de brotherhood and sister ships. Now flip de script. Hip Hip…..yeaaaaa.
Good to read that one of them stayed overnight, which means that at least some of the passengers most likely ate at restaurants on shore.