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St. Lucia Welcomes New Mega Vessel - M.S. Norwegian Sky

Contact: John Emmanuel

Wednesday, November 06, 2002 - St. Lucia’s cruise sector on Tuesday received an added boost when the island welcomed the M.S. Norwegian Sky to its shores on its inaugural call. The vessel, captained by Jan Ottesen has a total carrying capacity of 3000 with 950 being crew members. In welcoming the Captain, his crew and the over 2,300 passengers, Chairman of the Minvielle and Chastanet Group of Companies and Ship Agent Fred Devaux, said the name Norwegian Cruise Lines brought with a rich history of seafaring and quality service. St. Lucia as a destination he said also had a great deal to offer in the partnership.

According to him, “we can offer them hopefully tranquillity and security in stormy waters world wide and this must be a very important aspect of the approach that St. Lucia brings to bear to the cruise shipping industry in general. Everybody is looking at the fact that the Caribbean is a safe destination and as such we are possible likely to gain from the travails of other areas but that does not mean that we are going to drop our guard. We still have to be on the lookout for possible problems and give the best approach and attitude to our visitors, and I’m certain that St. Lucia with its incredible attractions can and will do just that.”

Newly appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Maria Fowell indicated that with cruise tourism being a major pillar in sustaining the overall industry, welcoming the newly constructed vessel with its large carrying capacity, was testimony to the continued repositioning of the sub-sector. “The cruise industry is very important St. Lucia and we have a number of persons who depend very heavily on this sector like taxi drivers, tour operators and others. We are therefore very appreciative when you come here and are able to bring so many passengers in to contribute to our economy,” said Fowell.

The MS Norwegian Shy, commissioned in 1999 is scheduled to keep calling to Port Castries until the end of April 2003.

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