By Sheria Brathwaite
A new record was set at the Bridgetown Port on Friday, as Barbados welcomed the Arvia, the largest passenger vessel to ever sail into the island.
The P&O Cruise vessel, with a capacity for 5 200 passengers, came calling on the first of its 11 scheduled trips, with 4 376 guests and 1 727 crew members on board. It was captained by Paul Brown.
During a press conference at the port, Minister of Tourism Ian Gooding-Edghill said the Arvia was homeporting in Barbados, a strategic factor in the island’s recovery. In March, the renaming ceremony for the vessel will also take place in Barbados’ waters.
“Arvia is one of P&O cruises’ largest and newest ships and will be one of 21 vessels homeporting in Bridgetown. The vessel will make ten calls for
the remainder of the season until March 16, 2023 and will conduct 22 turns at the Port of Bridgetown during the 2023/2024 winter season,” he said.
“Homeporting has been a key element in our recovery strategy for Barbados. It is mutually beneficial to our partners and our island as we can capitalise on pre and post-cruise stays. It gives passengers and crew members an opportunity to spend a night or two in Barbados and immerse themselves in all the island has to offer.
“Cruise consumers are now seeking immersive experiences offering value to their cruise experience and Barbados is a premier choice. Barbados is known for a range of cultural, heritage, sporting, culinary and more experiences, so with these pre and post stays thanks to homeporting, travellers get the opportunity to indulge in what makes a true ‘Barbadiana’ experience”.
Gooding-Edghill added that his ministry was going a step further in boosting the island’s tourism arrivals and plans were in the works to realise this goal.”
The minister’s comments also came at a time when officials are reporting an increase in cruise ship arrivals.
He said the 2022/2023 winter season showed a ten per cent increase in arrivals over 2019 levels, adding that last month alone, 29 138 passengers arrived on cruise ships and that figure exceeded the number of passengers in 2018 and 2019.
Meanwhile, Divisional Manager of the Barbados Port Inc. Ian Stewart said the port has been busy over the past few days with 8 000 passengers from four vessels arriving on Wednesday and 7 000 passengers from another four vessels arriving today.
Tomorrow, five ships are scheduled to bring 5 000 passengers.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Barbados Port Inc. Peter Odle said P&O had a long history with Barbados with some of its other vessels – Britannia, Aurora, Arcadia and Ventura.
He added that since 2008, the company’s cruises made 481 calls to the island and brought 1 143 191 guests.
Odle said that 3 668 guests will end their Arvia cruise in Barbados and 3 827 would join those on board to set sail.
English couple Jim and Linda Boucher, who have been visiting the island for 25 years, were also on the Arvia.
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
