Cruises resume schedules

BASSETERRE (CMC):

Tourism officials yesterday said that the island had been reinstated on the schedule of two cruise-ship vessels one week after 17 tourists had been robbed by armed bandits.

"I am happy to advise that Princess Cruises will resume its schedule of calls effective with the next calls of the Grand Princess and Emerald Princess on December 1. We appreciate everything St Kitts has done to mitigate this most unfortunate and unusual situation," said Steve Nielsen, vice-president, Caribbean and Atlantic shore operations for Princess Cruises.

"Based on our confidence in the ability of St Kitts to provide a safe and secure environment for our cruise guests as well as crew members visiting the island, I am pleased to advise that Carnival Cruise Lines is returning to St Kitts effective Friday, November 26 with the call of the Carnival Victory," said Gordon Buck, vice-president of Caribbean relations for Carnival Cruise Lines.

The two ships had removed the island on their individual schedule after passengers from the Celebrity Mercury cruise liner were robbed of cash, jewellery, cellphones and other personal items while on a bus heading towards Brimstone Hill, one of the island's main tourist attractions.

Police said they had already charged three persons in connection with the robbery.

Tourism Minister Richard 'Ricky' Skerrit has confirmed that all cruise lines currently calling at St Kitts have agreed to maintain their schedules based on the swift implementation of additional security measures in the tourist areas.

"The fact that this was an isolated event, combined with the swift arrest and the November 18 charging of the five robbery suspects, also made the reinstatement of cruise schedules more likely.

Reinstatement of cruise schedules

"Our local security forces deserve commendation on their rapid response in apprehending the perpetrators of this unprecedented crime. Increased police presence was already in place by the time the Celebrity Summit made its scheduled port call the very next day after the incident." said Skerrit, who is also minister of international transport.

"Throughout my close and ongoing contact with key decision makers and other international tourism partners in the aftermath of this unprecedented event, I was gratified by the support expressed for our destination and the confidence of all stakeholders in our future," he added.

On Sunday, the cruise ship, Azura berthed here with 3, 500 passengers.