St Kitts and Nevis: Tourism Minister Grant welcomes Celebrity Equinox to Port Zante

St Kitts and Nevis: Tourism Minister Grant welcomes Celebrity Equinox to Port Zante
St Kitts and Nevis: Tourism Minister Grant welcomes Celebrity Equinox to Port Zante

Celebrity Equinox was welcome by the Tourism Minister of St Kitts and Nevis Lindsay Grant on Tuesday. He praised the Royal Caribbean Group for partnering with them from a long time.

On September 14, during the Plaque Exchange Ceremony, Tourism Minister Grant said that they had been waiting for this day from a long time. They have had much anxiety as they continue their phased approach to the rebuilding of the cruise sector.

Minister Grant said they were delightful as the island had experienced the first commercial call at Port Zante since March 2020.

While talking about Royal Caribbean Group, Minister Grant said that for many years they have been welcoming the vessels from the three different brands, which includes Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Silver seas.

Minister Grant said, “Prior to the pandemic in both the years of 2018 and 2019, you (The Royal Caribbean Group) were very instrumental in this destination when we welcomed over one million passengers in 2018 and again in 2019, and in fact, we were well on our way in 2020 to do a million passengers again. With this visit today, we would have our first week with two cruise vessels visiting our shores since March of 2020 and Celebrity Equinox today, Tuesday, September 14, and Sea Odyssey on our National Heroes Day on September 16 2021.”

While expressing his happiness about the day, Minister Grant said that the day had become a landmark in the path of expanding their products as a cruise destination since the island received the first cruise in July after the COVID-19 restriction. They have been now able to include Port Zante for the first time to date and their craft vendors from the Amina Craft Market and Black Rocks.

Moreover, the government is happy to include their independent taxi, tour bus operators, as well as the Palm court in their travel, approved fully vaccinated bubble experience.