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Public schools to dismiss @ 12:00 PM Tuesday due to UberSoca Cruise

All public schools across the Virgin Islands will operate on a half-day schedule on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Photo: VINO
The adjustment in school hours has been made to accommodate the hosting of the UberSoca Cruise events in Tortola, which is expected to bring over 3,000 guests as part of its inaugural Ocean's 11 Edition trip to the territory. Photo: Internet Source
The adjustment in school hours has been made to accommodate the hosting of the UberSoca Cruise events in Tortola, which is expected to bring over 3,000 guests as part of its inaugural Ocean's 11 Edition trip to the territory. Photo: Internet Source
The bulletin informing of the half-day schedule for public schools on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Photo: GIS
The bulletin informing of the half-day schedule for public schools on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – All public schools across the Virgin Islands will operate on a half-day schedule on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. This decision aligns with the government’s move to implement a half-day schedule for all public officers on the same day.

This information was shared in a bulletin issued by the Ministry of Education on Friday, November 14, 2025.

Adjustment made to accommodate UberSoca Cruise

The adjustment in school hours has been made to accommodate the hosting of the UberSoca Cruise events in Tortola, which is expected to bring over 3,000 guests as part of its inaugural Ocean's 11 Edition trip to the territory.

The Virgin Islands is the latest destination added to the cruise's itinerary.

Schools operate safely and effectively

The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports also stated that the early closure aligns with the revised working hours for public officers, ensuring that schools can operate safely and effectively under these new arrangements.

The UberSoca Cruise, the largest soca festival at sea, will depart from Miami, Florida, and dock at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park in Road Town on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

The event is expected to contribute over $750,000.00 to the local economy.

26 Responses to “Public schools to dismiss @ 12:00 PM Tuesday due to UberSoca Cruise”

  • Hrmph (17/11/2025, 07:51) Like (40) Dislike (4) Reply
    $750,000 would require each passenger to spend $250 whilst they were in the BVI. Given the relatively low cost of the cruise (it is not high budget - it is not full of high spending individuals) and the passengers are provided with free food and drink on the cruise, that seems unlikely. Maybe $40 per person on average = $120,000 total spend - but maybe not even that high because plenty of people will stay onboard and not come ashore.
  • Roger Burnett (17/11/2025, 07:52) Like (84) Dislike (5) Reply
    The message to youth is that the jump-up has priority over all else, including their education.
    • annudda2cents (17/11/2025, 09:37) Like (37) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ Roger Burnett

      Exactly. I cannot begin to describe how pissed I am.
    • Comment (17/11/2025, 10:03) Like (42) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Partying Premier!
    • idk (17/11/2025, 10:03) Like (4) Dislike (34) Reply
      It only made sense. Some of you just want something to fuss about.
      • @idk (17/11/2025, 10:54) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        that is what you think this is about? with everything that is going on around us? carry on.
        • @idk,idk (17/11/2025, 15:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          You see her—I don’t even know. It could mean she doesn’t know or probably doesn’t care. She is lost. Let’s shut down the streets for Jackie, right? Meanwhile, our children are already far behind academically, but they want to stop school. Then we turn around and complain about the young children. No books, but they know how to “work up.”
      • @idk (17/11/2025, 12:32) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
        And they have every right to complain/fuss if they choose to do such. This is so dumb and stupid. The place is falling apart and is in need of other important issues that needs to be taken care of and the only thing these ISLAND MUMUS CAN COME UP WITH? IT WOULD BE NICE IF NO ONE GETS OFF THE SHIP AND DECIDE TO HAVE THEIR OWN PARTY ON BOARD THE SHIP.
  • 2027 (17/11/2025, 08:36) Like (52) Dislike (2) Reply
    Most people would love this even if to get the little "away from the job" but putting a party above our children education is outrageous.
    My child rides a but up those dangerous hills everyday to school and I am worried sick espicially during prolong heavy rains.
    Those buses are skidding on the wet roads and only the grace of God that keep them safe and no one thinks about about sending them home early or something but here we are closing school for a party.
    Great job VIP!!. Remember 2027!!
  • BuzzBvi (17/11/2025, 09:11) Like (32) Dislike (2) Reply
    The benefits to the VI are.

    Loss of $400,000 to the Treasury

    Loss of Half Days Education to the Children and Youth of the Territory

    Loss of Half a Days work of Public Officers

    Loss of Access to Road Traffic routes and businesses through the Capital

    A big Party.

    Oh and each passenger is going to spend $250 so all is good if of course you believe that. Ha ha.
  • Public holiday (17/11/2025, 09:32) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    UberSoca closes schools!!! Basically it's a public holiday. Hopefully the children spent the past week learning the importance of UberSoca.
  • resident (17/11/2025, 09:35) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is stupid, we going to cut off schools for a soca cruise, this government's priorities are backwards
  • Principal Garraway (17/11/2025, 09:42) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    while school will be close half day on Tuesday, can you please get a team to trim those trees at the exit of the new ESHS parking lot next to UP's. It is dangerous trying to turn right because the trees are blocking the on coming traffic.
    PLEASE AND THANKS IN ADVANCE.
  • BRAD BOYNES (17/11/2025, 09:55) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Make this make sense somebody
  • unproductive (17/11/2025, 09:56) Like (35) Dislike (1) Reply
    We are very good at unproductivity and even better at parties and frivilous events. Put us to do real work and we suck. Look at the effort put into these party days and look at the effort put into stuff that really matters and will change the dynamics of the country. Will we ever learn? I guess not
  • Pure incompetence (17/11/2025, 10:08) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    No wonder on the outside we are perceive as some of the most dumb, uneducated, non thinking people. Why would let children out of school for a Soca Cruise. As it is, the majority of PASSANGERS is not going to get off the ship. Thanks imbeciles non thinking inepts for F….ing up once again. THIRD WORLD COUNTRY at its best.
    • The blind could see (17/11/2025, 10:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      As my name suggests, it’s obvious they want the school children to be in attendance at this uber soca cruise thing, because since forever it’s them same children that show up in numbers to spend..I really trying to figure out how they maths out that $750,000 will be generated from this..real mouth champions
  • Fake Noel Lloyd (17/11/2025, 10:34) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Welcome one and all to yet another party hosted by the SPREEMIER
  • just imagine (17/11/2025, 11:03) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Letting students out half day to watch a bunch ghetto people and street walkers and half naked women letting men grind, hump and degrade them like wild hogs in heat.This S doesn’t make any kind of sense. No wonder the children here is grown before their time and is a bunch of dummies. Whoever put this together needs some good hard slaps and should hang your heads in total shame. A USELESS STREET TRAMP ON THE TAXPAYERS DIME.
  • Well Sah (17/11/2025, 12:21) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Pure @$$ishne$$
  • taxpayer (17/11/2025, 13:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    How is this value for our money? This will end up costing around two-million and might bring in 350,000.00.
    This is about as good a value for the taxpayers as the one million spent on fixing our roads.
  • Soooooooo (17/11/2025, 15:10) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do you guys actually think the cruise PASSANGERS that already paid for unlimited food, drinks and other amenities when they booked their cruise is going to spend $225-$250.00 whole in port? The most they might spend while in port is less than a $100.00 if that much. Some don’t spend anything at all while in port. Plenty of you have been on cruises and have spent little or nothing while being in port. The last cruise I took, I only spent for a sightseeing tour in Aruba. What do y’all learn when y’all travel outside the BVI? I know some of you will dispute my comment but I could care less about your fragile feelings.
  • so tell me (17/11/2025, 17:23) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Exactly what kind of positive example you the ones that should know better is setting for the youths of the Territory. Dismissing them from school for a half day because of the confusion that was set in play buy a bunch of dumb non thinking imbeciles. Half of those kids is not going to show up for the half day and get ready for a traffic nightmare trying to get home from work. I already told my boss I am going to take the day off and stay at home for the day.


  • so tell me (17/11/2025, 18:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Steve is involved in this as well.


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