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‘We will never rush back to a destination until we are 100% satisfied’- Russell S. Daya

-said assessments will determine the return of the Disney Fantasy cruise line to the territory
There is no definitive date on when the Disney Fantasy will return to the Virgin Islands. Photo: wdwinfo.com
Russell S. Daya, Executive Director of Marine and Port Operations, Port Development and Itinerary Planning for Disney Fantasy cruise line, who arrived in the territory to assess the territory on their readiness to accept the Disney Fantasy expressed that he is pleased with the progress but indicated that there are some safety concerns that need to be resolved before his cruise line can return. Photo: VINO
Russell S. Daya, Executive Director of Marine and Port Operations, Port Development and Itinerary Planning for Disney Fantasy cruise line, who arrived in the territory to assess the territory on their readiness to accept the Disney Fantasy expressed that he is pleased with the progress but indicated that there are some safety concerns that need to be resolved before his cruise line can return. Photo: VINO
Tourism industry stakeholders at the consultation meeting with Florida Caribbean Cruise Association Operations Committee (FCCA) on May, 14, 2018 at the Moorings Conference Room. Photo: VINO
Tourism industry stakeholders at the consultation meeting with Florida Caribbean Cruise Association Operations Committee (FCCA) on May, 14, 2018 at the Moorings Conference Room. Photo: VINO
WICKHAM’S CAY II, Tortola, VI – Russell S. Daya, Executive Director of Marine and Port Operations, Port Development and Itinerary Planning for Disney Fantasy cruise line, who arrived in the territory to assess the territory on its readiness to accept the Disney Fantasy, expressed that he is pleased with the progress but indicated that there are some safety concerns that need to be resolved before his cruise line can return.

“The BVI is defiantly moving in the right direction. It’s been about three and a half months since I’ve been here. I see a lot of progress has been made on the roads, removal of the vegetation, the powerlines, and the cars that were damaged. Still some boats to go but there is good progress on the boats and it’s very encouraging.”

He continued, “I’m also encouraged in the progress that has taken place both by the government in respect to supporting the bigger infrastructure projects, the local population, the private vendors in respect to the tours in restoring their boats and their buses for the tours.”

He was at the time speaking to local media houses following a consultation meeting with Florida Caribbean Cruise Association Operations Committee on May 14, 2018, at the Moorings Conference Room.

More evaluation to determine when cruise line will return

When asked by reporters when will his cruise line return to the Virgin Islands (VI), Mr Daya mentioned that after he has seen all main tourist attractions, he will then be able to do a “fair and transparent evaluation.”

“I can’t answer the question as to when we might bring the vessel back yet. So it’s not just the roads are fixed and we come back. We have to look at the safety and security of our guest and the families that we bring to the island and to the territory. So that will take some further evaluation,” explained the Disney cruise line representative.

Meanwhile, Mr Daya pointed out that he has asked the government to provide him with weekly updates from the different areas where the tourist attractions are located and based on those updates he will be able to “accurately and timely assess progress that is being made” which will ultimately help him to decide when the Disney Fantasy cruise line will return to the territory.

“We look at safety from a 5 or 6-year-old’s eyes”

Meanwhile, Mr Daya explained that when he visited Cane Garden Bay, one of the main tourist attractions, he noticed some safety concerns in regards to infrastructures that were being rebuilt, adding that he looks at perspective through the eyes of a child.

He said, "because they could easily wander into an area right under a construction site without that being screened off or shielded or adequately protected; then there is an accident waiting to happen. So we are looking at it from a small person's eye, what could or might happen.”

He added that his guests understand that the territory was devastated and is slowly rebuilding but added that his cruise line will “never rush back to a destination until they are 100 percent satisfied."

“Our guests are very understanding of the devastation that took place here and they are very smart and so they get it. It’s not like they don’t know the damage that’s gone on down here and the recovery is slow. But we will set there their expectations when we come in and they will understand. We will never rush back to a destination until we are 100 percent satisfied that the places we would take our guests or the place they might go on their own are 100 percent safe.”

22 Responses to “‘We will never rush back to a destination until we are 100% satisfied’- Russell S. Daya”

  • just asking.... (15/05/2018, 12:14) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    BVI was said to be back on her feet what happened
  • Disney on hurricane recover in the BVI (15/05/2018, 12:28) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    No comment
  • smh (15/05/2018, 13:34) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    "The BVI is defiantly moving in the right direction. It’s been about three and a half months since I’ve been here."

    Did you all mean definitely?
    • i mean (15/05/2018, 15:26) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Definitely
      Defiantly
      Definitely and/ or defiantly, ( The BVI is moving.....OK?
  • Normalcy (15/05/2018, 13:39) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
    What a shame when someone has to come and tell you how to clean up your own place, especially when you rely on that place to make money.
  • Goofy (15/05/2018, 14:02) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Spice it up for the media but still nah come. Hehehe what a Mickey Mouse story.
  • wize up (15/05/2018, 14:21) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    we throwing money at an industry although economic to this territory comes with some serious liabilities(ask Irma & Maria)...an industry which tooked almost 30 years to develop when busted within a few hours(I hope a lesson was learned)...why can’t we explore an industry associated with those 200 hundred miles of sea water(after a hurricane we will not have to spend thousands of tax money/loans to repair the sea water)....I truly understand the concept of the cruise industry as an economic pillar but we need to stop putting most of our eggs in one basket(look at us now after those hurricanes trying to feel our way through the darkness)
  • @wize up (15/05/2018, 15:12) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    Why don't you offer suggestions or are you just good for blah blah and crticism. Really need to wise up or hush up is my suggestion.
    • wize up (15/05/2018, 16:36) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ @ wize up(G.F.Y)...make me!!!
      • grace (16/05/2018, 22:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Wow wise up! You actually let someone push you into talking like that? Ignore these fools and show you are the better person without using profanity. Lol lol ...make me!!!
  • Scrooge McDuck (15/05/2018, 15:14) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    That about quacks it up in a nuthell folks. Mr. Daya ain't lieing the place has more to go before bringing their customers here. Be that as it may; how much will this co$t Pier Park in lost revenues from rent and businesses? How has this affected BVIPA revenues and it's ability to re-pay debts/obligations? What is or how much is the impacted financial loss for this??? Anyone...?
    • Mrs McDuck (15/05/2018, 22:40) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      BVIPA is running on empty thanks to the same Pier Park. And to this day no-one in jail. Sins of a country.
  • ausar (15/05/2018, 18:07) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Almost 10 months after Irmaria, these islands aren't ready for cruise tourism?

    Why?

    Why didn't the government did like what we did here in the USVI where we worked with the cruise industry to determine a road path that led to Magen's and back to the cruise port, making sure that road paths was pristine on both sides ensuring the rewelcoming of cruise passengers in November?

    If the cemetaries were in such a mess at the leading swimming destination, palm fronds or other such disguises should have been used to camouflage such ongoing reconstructive areas

    Leadership is key especially after such catastrophic events and its obvious that sound planning is whats missing here!

  • Struggling Man (15/05/2018, 20:31) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    All the minister and his premier give us is spin and not a thing in action.........where is the so called action man now ?
    The only man who talk truth is the man in the first who is on record in stating the this government tell a lot of lies !!!!!!
  • cruiser (15/05/2018, 21:31) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Mr. Daya is correct.Get your Island in order and we will come back. Safety is the number 1 factor.
  • See (15/05/2018, 23:10) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe we can finally be honest with ourselves and admit the territory is still a garbage dump . Sewage all over , smashed cars and boats everywhere , schools a disgrace , tourist locations and roads still a mess , and the same rude or indifferent attitude being sent out to the few tourists who have come . Many will not be coming back . And while I am at it lets also be honest about another thing . Seems the only people cleaning up are the groups of ex pat volunteers and not our own people .Whats wrong with that picture . Govt has failed and we the people have failed so far . Cruisr ships wont be back anytime soon except for the couple that were here and to be frank ... those are not people who are spending. Stop with the pathetic asphalt band aids and lets fix the roads like a civilized country . Lets not settle for getting rid of a few wrecked cars and boats and think we have cleaned up . Lets stop SETTING fires to the dump to reduce the pile size. Lets get serious about the recovery because at the moment the other islands are passing us by . Enough excuses
    • Mississippi (16/05/2018, 10:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      I so wish the VI could be sustainable without zillions of tourists
      . They give me the " jibbies" .
      There has got to be another way. With the electronic age in full swing , "silicon valley" type enterprise and a full blast nature preserve....man the young people must brainstorm and forge a new and different approach to creating income...don't like an abundance of these tourists at alll...too much bad vibes and infiltration of ill well...The Will I T debacle is a perfect example of and demonstration of the callous disregard and disrespect. The legendary animosity of the oppressors is endemic and that cannot change, For now tourist dollars yes but with an eye and planning for a way that is more conducive to maintaining our respect, self worth. Some folks are simply scary even when not clothed in a white hood.

  • NYC (16/05/2018, 10:59) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The cruise ship passengers is now booking cruises to other Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Canada and the Mediterranean. It seems other Caribbean Islands value the tourist industry. Sorry guys but, you are not serious about tourism. I totally agree with Mr.Daya.
    • @NYC (17/05/2018, 07:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Tourism is a double edge sword. It comes with devaluation and North Americans are the frontrunners and purveyors of this unpleasantry.
      To survive with our dignity in tact, the forced reduction of tourist would be a blessing . A different industry sans tourist would eventually evolve and with it a welcome reprieve from the voyeuristic and disrespectful and destructive nature of tourism en masse.
      I am one who welcomes the reduction in tourism and tourists but realize that there are those whose livelihood is tourism dependent. My sympathy. Relocation might be a solution for some.
  • Yes the tourists understand (16/05/2018, 14:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    But if you dont help the situation well how can we move ahead.It not gonna happen over night but i am certain every visit you gonna see some form of improvement.The tourist dollar will surely help in improving us to get better roads taxis beaches etc.Many are still owing for their mortgages there are many mouths to be fed bills to be paid. You see if that cruiseliner is to be affected by an disaster you may say otherwise as that shoe is not on your feet at that moment and you may also lose your job and be hustling and bustling around to find another. Many are trying their best to make ends meet and you come here chatting fart just reach out and help some way or the other tomorrow the shoe might be on your feet. Another hurricane season is upon us and who knows your liner may not be able to roam the seas or who knows be caught in a storm.Dont be selfish or act selfish reach out and help your brother man. Who knows one day we may reject your liner from gracing our shores.BVI and others need the love and support right now more than anything. Put some love in your heart and be Christliked.
  • NezRez (16/05/2018, 22:49) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every small island depends on tourism, that’s a fact. We need to hurry up with the cleaning and rebuilding. We haven’t even started getting the grant money that was promised to us to help rebuild and at least put our roofs back on. Once roofs are on, we can work inside and tourists cannot see the damage, but without roofs, the rain keeps pouring in, so we cannot fix it. We need to keep our roads clean and pothole free, for our own safety as well as visitors. Hurry up with the grant money before the next hurricane does us in because we have no cover.


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