Dominica gets early start to cruise ship season

The Carnival Fascination docked in Roseau on Tuesday, September 12th. Photo: Chad Ambo/DDA

Dominica got an early start to the cruise season on Tuesday September 12th, when the Carnival Fascination docked in Roseau after it was diverted to the island from destinations ravaged by Hurricane Irma.

Dominica’s cruise ship season begins on October 23 but Minister for Tourism and Urban Renewal, Senator Robert Tonge, explained that because of the impact of the storm and the severe infrastructural damage to islands such as St. Martin and the British Virgin Islands, the cruise ship has sailed to Dominican shores.

“Our season starts on the twenty-third of October, so this is out of the season primarily because of their inability to go to the other islands that have been impacted. We do not know how many are coming but we are ready to receive them and provide them with the best possible service,” he said.

According to him, the ship will dock in Dominica until 5:00 pm and all stake holders have already been contacted and made aware of the early arrival.

“All training has been done prior to the season. We want to ensure that persons remember this training and ensure that we provide the best possible service to the visitors when they come to Dominica,” Tonge stated.

He expressed hope in the other islands standing on their feet again as soon as possible so as to regenerate their flow of incoming ships.

Meanwhile, the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) has appealed to its members to be aware of the fact that Dominica will be getting an increase in port calls from destinations affected by Irma.

In a message to its members, the DHTA said that the Ministry of Tourism has begun preparation for the increase in port calls, and all members should do the same.

“This increased volume represents an opportunity for your business to put its best foot forward and provide world class service that will leave a lasting impression and justify return visits,” the message said.

The Carnival Fascination sailing into the port in Roseau

 

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22 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    September 13, 2017

    Well, if there is no caviar you must come and taste titiwi. What to do. Dominica port of call of last resort. Maybe they can give the tourists a free guided tour of our post office and Pound?

  2. GIVE THANKS
    September 13, 2017

    In all things give thanks. Dominica was speared by Hurricane Irma, the other islands are out of commission. Now is the time to count your blessings. Did you know that you can turn to blessings to curses?.. Dominicans don’t do that! Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Do not walk in the counsels of the ungodly. Be friendly to those who visit set politics aside and lift up Dominica so we can surpass the other islands. It starts with each individual, each village not a government. We continue in our vendetta and we kill our Nature Isle of the Caribbean.

    Let God be Praised!!

  3. Ridiculousness
    September 13, 2017

    Sorry Dominica but you have nothing to offer to these tourist compared to what St Marteen/Martin, Anguilla and BVI had to offer.
    Step up your game. Clean your streets, fix your roads, educate your people in tourist industry!
    You’ve been given an opportunity….use it wisely.

    • Holiday Island Boy
      September 13, 2017

      I ‘ve been on a couple of these Carnival Cruises . I’ve also visited Dominica on vacation many times. Dominica remains my favourite Caribbean island. Dominica has lots to offer.

  4. September 13, 2017

    As soon these islands recovered from the devastations by hurricane Irma the Carnival cruise line will return right back to their ports because this government hasn’t done what it takes to please the cruise line to return back to our port like normal schedule before,Our city still in a mess no proper grainage and sidewalks, passengers onboard these cruise lines special passengers on wheelchairs will write terrible reports when they come to our shores.

  5. UDOHREADYET
    September 13, 2017

    Dark cloud silver lining!

  6. anonymous2
    September 12, 2017

    Hurricane season isn’t over yet.

  7. getto yout
    September 12, 2017

    Robbie must go! not one new site in 17 years. Ian was bad but Robbie is the worst minister of tourism ever in the entire world. Roseau people don’t want you.

  8. Wanda Elie
    September 12, 2017

    You all complain about everything poor you all wasted negative vibes find something positive to do

  9. September 12, 2017

    I hope they clean up the drain by Jolly’s, them fire men use to hose them drain down , now they all up surfing the internet at the fire station while them tourist smell the sweet aroma of Roseau , why we so back ward , cant we learn from past experience , or other Islands failures , Dom in – the can.

  10. Anonymous
    September 12, 2017

    Is so we get the left-overs, but thank you anyway. Beggars can not be choosers. Bet next year though the DDA and Govt. will boast about an increase of tourist arrivals as if it was they who made that happen. They should say thank you to Irma instead.

  11. JOSH SHAW
    September 12, 2017

    This is yo show Dominicans that the other islands receive cruise ship calls year round while here in Dca with so much more to see and do we are lagging behind. Mal twavay skerrit must go. Wake up people smell the coffee. Get this wicked corrupt regime!

  12. Me
    September 12, 2017

    One man’s dead is another man’s bread.

  13. stupendous
    September 12, 2017

    all training have already been done however we were only able to clean the bayfront yesterday hahahahah if the ship was not coming until Oct 23rd then the bayfront would not have been cleaned.

  14. jihan
    September 12, 2017

    I hope Dominica capitalize on this oppourtunity for the next 2 years,to all the vendors and taxi drivers ,personal hygiene and dresssing properly also a big impact.taxi drivers please groom and wear proper shoes.

    • Nubian Queen
      September 12, 2017

      THIS!!!

      oh my god! 10,000 likes!

      Some them their breath can really kick you over!!!

      • Me
        September 13, 2017

        And that is only their breath!

  15. Hurricane Tourism?
    September 12, 2017

    Earlier today I read this article on DNO: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/hurricane-tourism-recovery-fund-launched-to-help-devastated-parts-of-the-caribbean/. I guess they were referring to funds that would be coming to Dominica, as a result of ships that will be forced to duck in Dominica since they can’t go to St. Marteen, the BVI and others. Though we are sorry for the devastation of those sister islands yet we are thankful for what we can get as a result of Irma. Give thanks Roby and Skerro

    • Krysta
      September 13, 2017

      Pretty messed up. You are sick in the head

  16. Pro Skerrit
    September 12, 2017

    Is there such a thing as hurricane tourism, and hurricane progress? Yes or know we sure seeing it as the only reason a ship docs in Dominica, at this time is because islands they were going to were destroyed by Irma! Wouldn’t it be nice if American airline, Jet Blue, Delta, Spirit, British Airways and others could also land at the Douglas / Charles airport because of the hurricane that devastated other islands? Unfortunately not even our regular Seaborne wants to come though nothing happened to our airport

    • MI
      September 12, 2017

      Your name says it all.

    • Me
      September 12, 2017

      Skerrit is not a pro but an amateur.

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