St Lucia Prepares for Increased Cruise Ship Visits

After an eight-year hiatus, Port Castries is back on the Disney Cruise Lines itinerary with a total of five calls to Saint Lucia for the 2014/2015 cruise season.

Port Castries is poised to welcome over 685,000 cruise passengers and over 375 cruise ships for the upcoming 2014/2015 cruise season -- an increase from the previous year.

Castries port, which has been ranked among the top 50 ports two years in a row by Cruise Insight: the Global Cruise Market Magazine, is no stranger to large numbers and has stated that it is well prepared.

A number of cruise lines are scheduled to return, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, P&O Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Windstar and MSC Cruise Lines. In addition, there is also an increase in calls/visits from MSC, Holland America, Thompson and Oceana Cruise Lines.

“Saint Lucia has become one of the best performing cruise destinations in the Caribbean and this is no accident,” Dona Regis, director of marketing and product development for the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, said. “The port is located in Castries where there is an eclectic mix of traditional charm and modern day conveniences including the availability of duty free shopping at La Place Carenage and the Pointe Seraphine shopping malls. We continue to work with our industry partners to ensure that passengers and crew receive the warmest welcome at Port Castries and continuously promote Port Castries and Saint Lucia as the ideal cruise destination.”

Source: Caribbean News Now