60 Guests Enjoy BVI As Cruise Ships Return
A total of 60 guests disembarked from Seabourn Odyssey, the first cruise ship to dork at the C. B. Romney Tortola Pier Park today, October 13.
A senior executive from the ship, told BVI Platinum News, that there were a total of three tours operating in a bubble system, two went on island tours, and one went on a catamaran to snorkel at Norman Island.
“We are operating in a bubble so that means all guests have to be on tours that are offering bubbles. So if they are out on tours, they have to make sure if they are contacting locals they have to be vaccinated within the bubble,” the executive said.
The senior executive added, “So, unfortunately, today, we can’t have independence, guests can’t just wander off and start shopping and doing their own thing because of the COVID-19 situation, and that is why about half of the guests stayed on board, and they didn’t have tours today.”
Further, the senior executive shared that they were around 60 guests on tour and about 60 on board.
"The ship is not sailing at full capacity at the moment not just because of the COVID; it’s just that people are still wary about coming on ships, but in November, the numbers pick up a lot more, and that is normal Caribbean season in the winter so the numbers will get better in November and December,” the Senior Executive stated.
The aforementioned was one of the offerings that were put to cruise ships, Premier and Minister responsible for Tourism Hon. Andrew Fahie said previously.
“Cabinet also agreed: that cruise ship passengers wishing not to be a part of the bubble and be allowed to move freely within the Territory will be subject to an approved rapid test with results available within five minutes,” Premier said in a September 3 update.
“We are operating in a bubble so that means all guests have to be on tours that are offering bubbles. So if they are out on tours, they have to make sure if they are contacting locals they have to be vaccinated within the bubble,” the executive said.
The senior executive added, “So, unfortunately, today, we can’t have independence, guests can’t just wander off and start shopping and doing their own thing because of the COVID-19 situation, and that is why about half of the guests stayed on board, and they didn’t have tours today.”
Further, the senior executive shared that they were around 60 guests on tour and about 60 on board.
"The ship is not sailing at full capacity at the moment not just because of the COVID; it’s just that people are still wary about coming on ships, but in November, the numbers pick up a lot more, and that is normal Caribbean season in the winter so the numbers will get better in November and December,” the Senior Executive stated.
The aforementioned was one of the offerings that were put to cruise ships, Premier and Minister responsible for Tourism Hon. Andrew Fahie said previously.
“Cabinet also agreed: that cruise ship passengers wishing not to be a part of the bubble and be allowed to move freely within the Territory will be subject to an approved rapid test with results available within five minutes,” Premier said in a September 3 update.