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Celebrity Millennium is here! Signals return of cruise tourism to VI

- Cruise ship arrives with 400 passengers & crew
The Celebrity Millennium Cruise of the Royal Caribbean family has arrived in the Virgin Islands, signalling the return of cruise tourism for the territory after more than a year of absence due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Photo: VINO
Celebrity Millennium arrived shortly before 8:00 am this morning, July 1 2021, with approximately 400 passengers and crew members onboard. Photo: VINO
Celebrity Millennium arrived shortly before 8:00 am this morning, July 1 2021, with approximately 400 passengers and crew members onboard. Photo: VINO
WICKHAM'S CAY I, Tortola, VI- The Celebrity Millennium Cruise of the Royal Caribbean family has arrived in the Virgin Islands, signalling the return of cruise tourism for the territory after more than a year of absence due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

The ship arrived shortly before 8:00 am this morning, July 1 2021, with approximately 400 passengers and crew members onboard.

The cruise started from St Maarten and will be making other stops along the Caribbean archipelago, such as St Lucia and Barbados.

With the arrival of the tourists, several stores on the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park that were heavily dependent on the tourist dollar once again opened their doors and taxi and tour operators appeared to be happy once more that they are seeing signs of a return to some sort of normalcy in the midst of this ongoing pandemic.

Taxi operators 'happy' to see return of cruise tourists

“I am happy we are getting some tourists in to help the country and to help the taxi drivers,” said Kiplin Challwell aka 'Captain Kip', a veteran tour operator.

Mr Chalwell explained that he is fully vaccinated and was not pre-booked for any excursions, but “I am looking to see who I could catch.”

Meanwhile, passengers appeared to be cheerful to be back on the water and travelling to different destinations, and while some were visiting for the first time, many were returning visitors.

Tourists free to tour VI 

Cruise-ship visitors to the VI must be in accordance with the existing local public health protocols as do all local businesses working in this sector.

Visitors will also be permitted to access tours independently and explore the islands; however, they must follow local public health measures.

8 Responses to “Celebrity Millennium is here! Signals return of cruise tourism to VI”

  • ..... (01/07/2021, 12:23) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    Welcome to the British Virgin Islands. Enjoy your stay and please come again. Stay safe.
  • :::: (01/07/2021, 12:35) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    welcome
  • musa (01/07/2021, 13:54) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    not sure how to say it buy we not ready
  • Thoughtful Sailor (01/07/2021, 15:29) Like (9) Dislike (57) Reply
    Are all the taxi drivers that the passengers might use vaccinated? Or is that a huge loophole? Recently I rode with a taxi driver who was looking forward to the return of cruise ships, but who said he would never take the vaccine, "because Trump and Bill Gates wouldn't take it," both of which statements are incorrect. I hope that fellows like him are not permitted to put our tourist industry at risk.
  • BEAUTIFUL (01/07/2021, 15:30) Like (3) Dislike (65) Reply
    Looks good.
  • waste (01/07/2021, 20:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did any of the 400 get off the ship? I didn’t see many in town.
    • *Hmm (02/07/2021, 12:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      They got off the ship. Two buses passed my area that I saw one of which none of the tourists were wearing masks. I saw it & just had to shake my head
  • Medusa (02/07/2021, 11:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Covid cases went up to 91 from 13 in 3 days.


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