‘It would be a shame if port calls to VI are discontinued’- CCL Captain
- Carnival Conquest makes first call to the VI
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Amid the controversy surrounding the cancellation of port calls to the VI for a the latter part of 2014 and beyond by Carnival Cruise Line and berthing rights negotiations by Government with Disney Cruise Line (DCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Captain of the Carnival Conquest, Francesco La Fauci, has commented that it is a shame if Carnival Cruise Line stops coming to the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
Carnival Conquest's first call to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Amid the controversy surrounding the cancellation of port calls to the VI for the latter part of 2014 and beyond by Carnival Cruise Line and berthing rights negotiations by Government with Disney Cruise Line (DCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Captain of the Carnival Conquest, Francesco La Fauci, has commented that it would be a shame if Carnival Cruise Line stops coming to the Virgin Islands.
The 10-year-old Carnival Conquest made its first stop to the Virgin Islands on November 14, 2013 and received a warm reception from Premier Dr the Hon. D. Orlando Smith, along with Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Claude Skelton-Cline, officials of the BVI Tourist Board and representatives of Romney and Associates, the local agent for Carnival Cruise Line.
Captain La Fauci told Virgin Islands News Online he heard there were negotiations with NCL and DCL over berthing rights but noted that it is also important, in the best interest of the territory, that a good relationship is also maintained between the Virgin Islands and Carnival Cruise Line.
“We love the island and would love to keep coming back and also sustaining the economy of the island. The passengers love Tortola and it would be a shame if calls to the island are discontinued. I hope that this negotiation will move forward so that the Carnival Cruise Line will continue to visit the territory,” La Fauci said.
The captain of 16 years noted that he has come to the Virgin Islands many times before with another ship- Carnival Triumph, and was sure to have nice comments for his superior back in Miami. “I am more than glad to keep coming back to Tortola.”
Meanwhile, Premier Smith said the Virgin Islands has had a relationship with Carnival for many years and they had brought many passengers to the territory. “We look forward to a continued relationship…,” Premier Smith said before encouraging the captain to go ashore to get a better appreciation for what the territory has to offer as a tourism destination.
Meanwhile, plaques were presented to the Captain on behalf of Government and Romney Associates, while the BVI Tourist Board presented the Captain with a gift.
The 7-day cruise with Carnival Conquest started in New Orleans, USA and had stops in Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands, La Romana in the Dominican Republic and with scheduled stops to St Thomas, USVI and San Juan in Puerto Rico before heading to Miami.
The vessel brought some 2800 passengers to the Virgin Islands, which the captain said was below the normal figure as there are usually over 3000 passengers. The passenger capacity of the ship is 3700.
19 Responses to “‘It would be a shame if port calls to VI are discontinued’- CCL Captain”
Something has to be done to boost our attractiveness in that area it is just not acceptable in the condition it is.