Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas made its inaugural call to Dominica’s port in Roseau today and according to the ship’s captain James MacDonald, the island’s lush green landscape is an almost mirror reflection of the Madeira in the Portuguese archipelago.
Today’s call is the first and only for a long time as there are no immediate projections as to when the vessel would return. It brought over 2,000 passengers with it to the island.
“Although we’re only here once, we appreciate your hospitality and we would love to return,” the ship’s captain said in a brief ceremony on the 13th floor of the cruise ship.
Tourism minister Ian Douglas was on call to greet the ship and its crew. In a short discourse he pointed out that Dominica is a “unique island that presents a very unique experience”.
“I am sure that the reviews will be very impressive,” he said, adding that, “tourism is very important to us in Dominica and we want to share it with the rest of the world and particularly all ships in the Royal line.”
Head of Product Development at Discover Dominica Authority Kathleen Cuffy also welcomed the ship to the Nature Isle and encouraged them to make a speedy return.
Meanwhile, the ship’s agent in Dominica.Whitchurch Shipping, was also present to make the acquaintance of the Royal Caribbean ship through representative Kira Thompson.
Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority Benoit Bardouille, who was also present, spoke of plans to develop the port’s capacity.
Plaques and a goodie-basket were exchanged between the Minster of Tourism and the ship’s captain and Whitchurch Shipping.
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COME BK SOON!!
@Anonymous: You’re a wicked person who do not care for your country, keep on spoiling Dominica’s good name on the internet and see if you would posper in the future.
when you have square pegs in round hole, what do you expect…….All these pictures to impress the public don’t mean a thing.
I welcome the inaugural call of the Jewl of the Seas to Dominica. While according to the article this is the ship’s only call to Dominica at this time, we must still welcome every cruise ship that makes an inauguaral/first time call to Dominica whether it’s just one call or expected tomake several calls.
What I expect readers who wish to comment to be doing is impressing on the Government the need to improve the tourism product to ensure that when ships make inaugural calls even though it’s just one call that they get a good review of the destination and inplanning future itineraries would want to include Dominica on their itineraries.
It’s one thing to show off pictures but it’s another thing to ensure that we get future visits and most importantly be get the much needed foreign exchange these ships are expected to leave with us….The Minister knows that and so does the Dominica Tourism Authority…
@KOKAY THERE: they will return
@JUST SAYING: Did they tell all you that Serenade of the seas that was scheduled to come year round is also pulling out of the year round deal? after April 2011 they not coming back until 2012. I wonder why? same company and it is not the only one they pulling out. go on the internet and check out the itenaries. why the sudden change? can anyone answer? jewel only come one time I know for a fact that they won’t be back. These people need to get some serious negotiators and convince these cruise lines to stay. and guess where they going? to an Island that doh have nothing on Dominica. check out the internet you will be surprised and astonished. wake up people !!! all you sleeping too long even sleeping beauty would have gotten up already
as one door closes another door will always open for Dominica….i hope they return
i find mr douglas looking real suspect in dat pic wii pal,,,u all doh see how he watching the captain,,,,hhhhmm sumting go down after dat meeting lol!!!!
@mouth of the south:
Not only that he might be sweating under his arm pits, but the type of shirt he is warring is not that appropriate for the climate of Dominica.
It appears to be silk, and if that be the case, in North America, and Europe when the weather is hot, and whereas, silk retains heat, that type of garment is only worn in Winter, and early Spring.
Look at the style of the sleeve, it looks like something straight out of a Dracula Movie.
Count Dracula must be wondering when did Ian snatched that one from his cloth closet!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, oh, what a thing!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Some of you people need to ease up on those stink comments. You all are not doing the country a favor. Best you keep your thoughts to yourself. This is the internet you know.
check d man at the back of the captain n mr douglas,,,,wat the man sweating under his arm dere wii lol,,,,,, hahahahaha look joke,,,,,d ship did not have air condition or sumting ayay,,,,,well dat is one call but i do hope they return,,,,
Alas poor my people! They will never wake up from the trance!
@Anonymous:
In case you did not know:
Inaugural means…
1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of an inauguration.
2. Initial; first: e.g the inaugural issue of a magazine.
It does not mean the first and only call.
We need to stop being so negative!
@JUST SAYING: Haven’t you read the article. It said this is the only call..How exactly is that a blessing?
I hope this is not an “inaugural” call like the “inaugural” night landing. I noticed, however that while the story says that it is the only call for the season, no mention was made of what to expect in the future. Maybe NDO will give us more soon because this only a half story. Anyway it would be good for the economy if in fact this is the fist of many calls to Dominica.
Just letting some die a.. por ppl in the states know.. Carnival was never the only cruise to dock in D/a.. There are others who come. Don’t get it twisted.
One door closes another opens. God answer prayers. Thank You Jesus for blessings on Dominica. May many other doors be open to Dominica. May Your blessing and anointing flow through Dominica just as the rivers flow through her. THANK YOU GOD.
We lost Carnival and the question is why
Celebration to welcome the ship here … and yet this is the only call?
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@JUST SAYING: WELL SAID!!!!!
Hope the paro posse et al are in check now
God continue to bless us, we lost carnival cruise now we get jewel of the seas…we need to start counting our blessings as a country, turn to God…