DEC 16, 2021 — By Sheena Forde-Craigg —- BGIS

Princess Cruise Lines Limited cruise ship, Enchanted Princess, paid its inaugural call at the Bridgetown Port, today.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Lisa Cummins; officials of the Bridgetown Port Inc. (BPI), and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), along with cruise industry stakeholders, were on hand to welcome the vessel with its 1,355 crew including Captain Mario Ciruzzi, and 1,783 passengers. The event marked the first of five port calls to Barbados during the period December 2021 to April 2022.

Speaking on the cruise industry and what it means to Barbados, Senator Cummins stressed that though the industry helps to provide a livelihood for those in the tourism sector, one of the key elements of focus as a small island developing state is whether or not the vessels are engaging in sustainable practices.

“Carnival Cruise Lines and all of its brands, including Princess, have been important partners for Barbados. Not only are they committed to bringing more ships to Barbados, but in addition, Princess Cruise Lines has indicated to us that they would wish to work with Barbados to develop new infrastructure to ensure that we have access to renewable and cleaner forms of energy to fuel their ships; [and] Barbados is committed to ensuring that that principle translates into reality,” Senator Cummins shared.

She pointed out that Government would continue to work on having a sustainable tourism product and a more sustainable cruise ship operation, which would benefit not only the environment but also future generations.

The Tourism Minister also took the opportunity to thank cruise industry stakeholders, as well as BPI and BTMI staff for their unwavering service during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued efforts to revive the cruise industry.

BPI’s Divisional Manager of Operations, Ian Stewart, expressed his delight in welcoming the fifth royal class ship in the Princess Cruise Lines Limited, and pointed out that the vessel, including its sister ship, Sky Princess, which would be berthing next Thursday, December 23, for the first time, are included in the scheduled 336 vessel calls Barbados would be receiving between October 2021 and April 2022.

Mr. Stewart invited the Captain and his crew during their port calls “to soak up the diverse and magnificent” activities on island, including its beaches, eco heritage and historic tours, rum and fine cuisine.

Captain Ciruzzi thanked everyone involved for the warm welcome received and said he and his crew is looking forward to exploring the island during their port calls. During the welcome ceremony, an exchange of plaques and commemoratives took place.