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Two cruise ships in port today; Taxi drivers 'thankful & hopeful'

The two cruise ships in port at Road Town, Tortola, today December 26, 2017. Photo: VINO
Cruise ships to the Virgin Islands were non-existent for months following the two category five hurricanes, Irma and Maria, that destroyed the Virgin Islands in September 2017. Photo: VINO
Cruise ships to the Virgin Islands were non-existent for months following the two category five hurricanes, Irma and Maria, that destroyed the Virgin Islands in September 2017. Photo: VINO
Marella Discovery has the distinction of being the first cruise ship to dock in the Virgin Islands after the hurricanes of September 2017. Photo: VINO/File
Marella Discovery has the distinction of being the first cruise ship to dock in the Virgin Islands after the hurricanes of September 2017. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Every time a cruise ship docks in the Virgin Islands it is a welcomed sight, as the vessels were missing for months after hurricanes Irma and Maria assaulted the Virgin Islands in September.

In port today, December 26, 2017 are MSC Cruises and Thompson Celebration, with a combined total of close to two thousand passengers.

"We are thankful and hopeful of the grand rising for today and the future of these beautiful Virgin Islands even after the massive distractions we experienced with the recent storms and hurricanes. A grand rising is here and will continue, I say again," said a taxi driver who gave his name only as a Mr Turnbull.

Giving a description of Road Town on Boxing Day with the two ships in and passengers making their way around the capital, Mr Turnbull said: "Craft alive is open and some amount of traffic is there. I see some shopping and others just walking through, Pier Park is open, and lots of photos are being taken of the destruction and memorable signature things."

The taxi driver said that the usual contingent of taxi and livery operators are not out, "But the business here, we are getting a few runs so no need to complain. Out on the sea is were all the business is. The charters very busy taking the passengers to the outer islands, so I see Virgin Gorda, Peter Island, Norman Island and a few others doing well on this boxing day," added Mr Turnbull.

The next cruise ship is expected in port on Thursday December 28, 2017.

Marella Discovery! First cruise ship to VI since hurricanes

It was on December 6, 2017, exactly three months after Hurricane Irma, that a cruise ship first docked in the Virgin Islands.

The Marella Discovery, belonging to Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson Cruises), was welcomed by Government Officials, including Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL) and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4).

There had been concerns about receiving cruise ships to the Virgin Islands due to the state of some roads and beaches; however, taxi and livery operators were instructed where to and where not to take passengers.

It was on December 4, 2017 that Disney Cruise Line announced to its booked customers that they will be returning to the Eastern Caribbean, but with a slightly altered itinerary, a story first reported by this news site.

As it stands, the next scheduled Disney Cruise to Tortola will be the April 7, 2018 departure of the Disney Fantasy.

19 Responses to “Two cruise ships in port today; Taxi drivers 'thankful & hopeful'”

  • resident (26/12/2017, 10:58) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    A welcome sight for sure! Money in the coffers for govt. and vendors. Please please taxi drivers take care on the roads. Warn your guests about the waters. It's windy outside so I'm sure the waters are choppy! The last thing we need is a tragedy!
  • Marie (26/12/2017, 11:25) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good to see the ships are coming back. We need tourism to help us survive.
  • wize up (26/12/2017, 11:25) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Talk that; straw by straw a bird builds a nest
    • @ wize up (26/12/2017, 13:19) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
      I could tell you one thing we are not continuing this country with the NDP! now talk than bird man
      • wize up (26/12/2017, 18:22) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ @ wize: please tell the devil you ain't see the dem people child(bird man....I love it) because I can not vote(soorry)
    • Caw caw (26/12/2017, 21:43) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @wise up /Bird man, Caw cawww lol
  • this sure is good news (26/12/2017, 11:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ resident I deeply agree with what you have said and to add to this don't overcharge dont rob the people then. it is truly a great sight at least those must be the 2 that didn't make it on the SKN itinerary but let us all be thankful.
  • CGB resident (26/12/2017, 12:02) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    They are bringing them here to the beach obviously not warning them
    About the water as they are all
    Swimming. All it takes is having an open wound or cut getting infected & losing part of that limb. Guess no one is advising to Not swim in the water. Sad
    • Eeesta (26/12/2017, 21:48) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      @CGB THE truth is the water quality at cane garden Bay beach has always been an issue. Long Bay beef island should be given a chance
  • @wize up (26/12/2017, 13:07) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Great comment !!! Most people need to learn that and stop being greedy.
  • Concerned (26/12/2017, 15:17) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    CGB beach only closed when no ship in!! Political thing. Notice the companies that the Pier Park people (Vanterpool and Smith) made a deal with (Disney & Norewegian ) are not those coming here.
  • wize up (26/12/2017, 18:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of us with dem golden spoon and buttered bread can jump on blog piss our some wise @$$ comment but I know each time a cruise ship calls into road harbour this territory stand to make money if only from
    The head tax(after two massive hurricanes.....talk that bird man!!!!) you sound just a typical VIP cronie: taxi man gets few pennies along with the gas station; supermarkets and his family(most of us in this territory fully well the cruise arrival can't be business as usual but give God the Glory something is happening for his people(I don't care who run the the territory; I just want our people get some thing)......so come next elect you have the right to vote for your desire and that no big deal(just so you know)
  • ... (26/12/2017, 19:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I would have been happy too money makes the pony run
  • Belonger With A Broader Perspective (27/12/2017, 00:05) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    The beach waters are majorly screwed except for Beef Island which has a smidge of credibility. So what are people coming to see other than the travesty? We need tourism but what do we have to offer?
    • wize up (27/12/2017, 07:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ belonger: historically speaking most visitors come BVI for its "tranquility" and sailing: BVI have never been a shopping destination: the day trippers(persons off the cruise ships) goes to a beach for a few hours, lay on the beach(sun-tan) or drink some good rum and head back to thier cruise ship...why don't you develop a shopping mall or offer the some suggestions ?
      • @Belonger with a broader perspective (27/12/2017, 22:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @wize up I'm fully aware of the what most visitors come to the the BVI for. As you stated, tranquility and sailing. With sailing, they go to the different cays to dive and explore. They aren't just sitting in the boats doing nothing. So if the water is unsafe, what is it that they are doing? Lay on the beach looking at tempting water you shouldn't go into Hmmm? OK I'm for tourism because we need the money but we need something else to offer since what we are know for isn't the most appealing right now. I have suggestions and a shopping mall is a poor one. Just wait and you'll see new business developments. I can't give up the details now but better is coming to the BVI. I appreciate the people who disliked my comment because they can't handle the truth of the situation.
  • Hope (27/12/2017, 04:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    We will be ok. We will be back. Our leaders are trying..
  • Eddie (27/12/2017, 14:23) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    We love visiting the BVI's and look forward to sailing around to our favorite spots in February! We hope to do our little part and get the ball rolling and show the sailing community that the BVI's are open for business! See you folks soon!
  • Fran (27/12/2017, 21:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Take the tourists All over the island to see different things. The view on top of Nottingham is beautiful. Be ready because new things are happening all over. Taxi drivers should ask the people where to go and what is upcoming so they will have much information for the tourists. Hurricanes or not, there are stories to be told and tourists have to be told what we are going through and how we are recovering. Now that’s tourism.


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