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Caribbean cruise future ‘positive’, says minister

Antigua and Barbuda is hoping for a busy cruise season later this year - istock
Antigua and Barbuda is hoping for a busy cruise season later this year - istock

Officials in Antigua and Barbuda are pressing ahead with construction of a new cruise berth in the capital St John’s despite the impact coronavirus has had on the Caribbean’s tourism industry.

It should be completed in October, in time for the 2020 winter cruise season, and will allow Oasis-class vessels to dock – the world’s largest passenger ships. It will be the country’s fifth berth.

Although some parts of the world are taking steps back from cruise – Seychelles banned ships from visiting until the end of 2021 – this is a positive step in a challenging time for the industry, with one major cruise line labelling the develop as a chance for “more voyagers the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the island”.

It’s unclear when Britons will be able to embark on a journey to Caribbean, however. At present, the Foreign Office advises British nationals against all but essential international travel.

Speaking to The Telegraph, the dual-island nation’s Minister of Tourism and Investment, Charles Fernandez, said that another record-breaking year was expected in 2020 following the trends of 2018 and 2019 but that the “pausing of the cruises has severely affected Antigua and Barbuda”.

The summer season is not the peak for ship arrivals, he added, but he is looking to see which lines are will have resumed sailing by the time business is usually booming.

Nowegian Joy is due to make it's debut in St John's at the end of 2021 - NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Nowegian Joy is due to make it's debut in St John's at the end of 2021 - NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

“We are hoping that the cruise industry returns to some form of normalcy by the fourth quarter of this year," he said.

Mr Fernandez believes Anitgua and Barbuda, as well as the wider Caribbean, is well-placed for cruises once the pandemic has past.

“We are very positive for the future of the cruise industry," he said. "We see the Caribbean as the most sought-after region in the immediate future. The English-speaking Caribbean has been able to keep the incidence of the Covid-19 virus low. This has positioned us to be able to reopen our borders more quickly – with very stringent protocols in place.”

The development of St John’s experience for cruise passenger has led to an interest in ‘home porting’ in Antigua, added Mr Fernandez, which could see a ship based out of the country.

Eamonn Ferrin, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Vice President and Managing Director, UK and Ireland, is happy about the continued construction, telling Telegraph Travel that “we cannot wait to let our guests experience this wish-list destination”.

One of the line’s ships, Norwegian Joy, is due to make its debut in St John’s towards the end of 2021.

There have only been 25 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Antigua and Barbuda, with three deaths - ROBERTO MOIOLA
There have only been 25 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Antigua and Barbuda, with three deaths - ROBERTO MOIOLA

“There’s nothing quite like the vast beauty, endless activity, and rich culture of the Caribbean. That’s why we’re so pleased that this additional cruise berth will be opening in the beautiful Antigua, giving more voyagers the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the island," he said.

The experience for travellers in the Caribbean could improve by the time international travel resumes, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).

The pandemic “has given us the opportunity to analyze and deconstruct the regional tourism sector at a granular level, identify areas for improvement and look for new ways to enhance our tourism product,” according to Neil Walters, acting CTO Secretary General.

But he added: "The decline in travel has adversely impacted the regional tourism sector, which has the potential for severe multiplier effects on the region’s economies."