Another Carnival Cruise cancellation!
Last evening January 8, 2014, several taxi drivers attached to at least two taxi associations confirmed that they received a call from Romney Associates indicating that Carnival Breeze, which was initially schedule for the VI today, has been cancelled. “Yes we got the word from our dispatcher saying that the agent (Romney Associates) called to say Carnival Breeze has cancelled,” one driver confirmed.
Taxi Drivers have asked not to be named but are concerned about the second cancellation in such a short time. “This is the second Carnival Cruise that has been cancelled from the BVI in about a month or so,” stated one taxi driver. They were all loud in their complaints that the continuous cancellation of the calls to the VI is hurting the taxi and tourism industries.
This news agency, immediately after receiving the news last night, contacted Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith who said that he was not in a position to discuss the subject at the time. “No I am sorry but I cannot discuss this with you at this time but negotiations are ongoing,” said Premier Smith.
Taxi Drivers said that up to press time, they have not heard a word directly from the Premier on several matters their representative body had brought to his attention. “We can only assume these continuing cancellation of Carnival has to do with the failure of the Premier to reach an agreement with them (Carnival) we have not heard a word so far so we can only assume at this stage,” said one taxi operator.
One veteran taxi operator further told this news site that he has had several bookings cancelled by persons scheduled for the VI on Caribbean Cruise Line vessels, for the month of February. “It’s not only for tomorrow, (today) but there are more cancellations coming for February and beyond because a number of my customers have cancelled saying that their cruise ship has informed them that they would not be making those calls to the BVI any longer,” the taxi driver allegedly claimed.
Efforts were also made to contact Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Cruise Line, Mr. Terry Thornton via email, but up to press time there was no response. Efforts to reach the responsible government minister, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool and Romney Associates, were also futile.
Carnival Cruise Line had announced that they pulled port calls to the VI especially for the year 2015 since they could not be furnished with confirmation for berthing for the latter part of 2014 and for 2015. Minister Vanterpool had told this news site that he hadn’t been officially informed but was aware that the BVI Ports Authority could not furnish Carnival with dates for 2015.
Hon. Vanterpool had also said Government was in negotiations with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Disney Cruise Line (DCL) and based on the outcome, Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) would have to negotiate berthing arrangements through the successful company. Carnival was not prepared to go that way.
Most recently, Premier Smith had announced publicly that he was taking the negotiations into his hands directly. At a press conference held on November 12, 2013, the Premier had declined to respond to questions on the negotiatiostatus ns only to say negotiations are ongoing.
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