Victory and Serenade Cruise Ships In St. Kitts
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
August 27, 2011 (CUOPM)
Hundreds of cruise passengers streamed off the “Serenade of the Seas” and the “Carnival Victory” on Friday.
It was the first time that two cruise ships berth at St. Kitts’ Port Zante at the same during the summer.
The 2,501-passenger capacity “Serenade” arrived from Curaçao with 2,461 passengers and a crew of 865 and is scheduled to sail early evening for the United States Virgin Islands.
The 3,050-passenger capacity “Carnival Victory” arrived from St. Lucia with 3,359 passengers and a crew of 1042 and sails later from the United States Virgin Islands.
Most of the passengers 5,820 passengers came ashore and went sight-seeing via the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, taxis and tour buses; sun and sea bathing, sailing, zip-lining, snorkeling, horseback riding, hiking and shopping.
Both the “Serenade of the Seas” and the “Carnival Victory” are visiting St. Kitts during the summer making year-round calls to this destination.
“Serenade of the Seas” and “Carnival’s Victory” will make a total of 31 calls during the off-season bringing an estimated 88,000 passengers to St. Kitts.
Cruise visitor arrivals in St. Kitts are expected to increase by more than 20% in the upcoming October 2011 – September 2012 cruise ship season.
Senator the Hon. Richard “Ricky” Skerritt, Minister of Tourism and International Transport said it is a significant achievement for St. Kitts to be able to forecast a fifth consecutive year of arrivals growth for the upcoming season.
He disclosed from the bookings it is projected that more than 650,000 visitors will arrive by September 2012.