USVI Expects Increase in Cruise Ship Arrivals to St. Croix in 2009

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism has announced the anticipated arrival of 48 cruise ships to St. Croix in 2009, based on berthing requests submitted by the cruise lines.

The planned visits account for a substantial increase over 2008, when St. Croix will welcome a total of three ships during the calendar year, including upcoming visits in October and November.

Based on the 2009 berthing requests, next year’s arrivals will represent a total of 121,768 passengers to the island of St. Croix with 43,986 crew members scheduled to support the 48 port of calls.

The news comes following months of dialogue between the major cruise lines and the Territory’s Cruise Ship Working Group established by Governor John deJongh.

The group consists of representatives of the Office of the Governor, Office of the Lt. Governor, St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, Our Town Frederiksted, Virgin Islands Port Authority, The West Indian Corporation, Customs and Border Protection, Legislature of the Virgin Islands, members of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association and the Department of Tourism.

The campaign, aptly themed “St. Croix: Your Port of Solace,” features print and broadcast advertisements as well as a new marketing video designed to transport visitors to a new state of mind to experience the island of St. Croix in all of its beauty, culture and history. The campaign’s marketing video features breathtaking images of notable sites throughout the island.