Royal Caribbean Returns to St. Croix

Marking the first call of the summer season, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines made a big splash in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, last week with the return of the Adventure of the Seas. With a capacity of over 3,100 passengers and 1,000 crew, the Voyager-class Adventure of the Seas is the largest capacity ship to visit St. Croix.

The 1,020-foot ship features an ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall and a promenade of shops and cafés designed to feel like a city main street. The ship last visited St. Croix in 2007 to bunker.

The Adventure of the Seas docked at the Ann E Abramson Marine Facility at 7:00 am and departed at 5:30 pm. Passengers and crew were welcomed on the pier by dancing mocko jumbies, live entertainment and Department of Tourism greeters providing island information, Cruzan Rum samples and USVI-branded souvenir gifts.

Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty and other government officials met the ship’s captain and give a formal welcome at an onboard ceremony. At 4:00 pm cruise passengers and residents alike enjoyed a DOT-organized mini-parade along the Frederiksted waterfront featuring nine different troupes including majorettes, mocko jumbies and a musical performance by Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights.

The parade not only celebrated Royal Caribbean’s return to St. Croix, but also the close of a weeklong schedule of activities organized by the Department of Tourism in honor of National Tourism Week.