Four Cruise Ships Bring Thousands to St. John’s, Fueling One of Season’s Busiest Tourism Days
St. John’s Harbour was packed on Tuesday as four cruise ships — Marella Explorer, AIDAsol, Celebrity Eclipse and Norwegian Epic — docked at Antigua Cruise Port, sending thousands of visitors into the capital and driving a surge of economic activity.
The first three ships arrived early, drawing crowds along the waterfront as passengers fanned out to shops, beaches and historic sites. The Norwegian Epic followed later in the morning, its towering profile dominating the harbour and adding another wave of visitors.
Antigua Cruise Port said the day’s arrivals generated strong business for taxi operators, tour companies, craft vendors, restaurants, retailers and excursion providers across the city and surrounding areas.
From Heritage Quay to the city centre, merchants reported steady foot traffic as cruise passengers booked tours, bought local goods and sampled Antiguan cuisine.
Officials called the four-ship day a reminder of the cruise sector’s importance to Antigua and Barbuda’s economy. With the winter season building, they expect more high-volume days that support hundreds of livelihoods.
The Norwegian Epic is seen docked in St. John’s on Tuesday. (Photo: Antigua Cruise Port)
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I hope the taxis and tour operators got enough passengers. Sometimes the big ships don’t translate to big earnings.
I just wish more of the money stayed in local hands. Still happy to see the island busy though.
I hope the visitors who embarked the ships spent some money in the country with bars and restaurants, taxi drivers, gift shops, etc…. Our economy can well with the injection of cash flow.
I can imagine dem haggish desperate taxi man and dem down Heritage Quay
Some of these people come here and they are so racist.
I hope all the numbers that arrive will.match the amount of returns to our poor vendors
@Ryan Wedding, you make a valid point sir. Whilst those involved like Colin James and Max Fernandez continue to gush and guffaw about the amount of “tourists” arrivals on the island. They do not spend anywhere near the amount of the diaspora.
Who BTW, make an amazing effort to not only spend at local vendors, but also spend vast amounts on our construction industry.
Prime Minister Browne was very vocal about the diaspora in October 2014, but very rarely speaks of it now. Why?
The man has changed so much over the last 10-11 years.
I’m so glad I walked away from the ABLP. Phew!
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