St Kitts and Nevis welcomes MSC Virtuosa, bringing 6,000 passengers

The inaugural call of MSC Virtuosa marked an exciting chapter in the bustling cruise season of St Kitts and Nevis, bringing more than 6,000 visitors on Wednesday.

The remarkable surge in the arrival of passengers by MSC Virtuosa boosted the livelihoods of St. Kitts stakeholders, including tour operators, taxi drivers, local artisans, and small business owners. 

Passengers onboard the vessel were treated with the St Kitts’ allure, including its rich culture, natural beauty, and diverse tourism experiences. The ship will again be returning on another itinerary, dated for Wednesday, 18th December, 2024.

Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson on inaugural visit of MSC Virtuosa

The Minister of Tourism of St Kitts and Nevis, Marsha Henderson gave a prestigious and warm welcome to the Captain, crew members and all the passengers.

Minister Henderson called this visit by the vessel, a significant milestone and added that it aligns with their agenda to position St Kitts and Nevis as a premier Caribbean destination for all the travellers.

Several Inaugural Cruise Calls to dock at St Kitts and Nevis

Shedding light on the cruise calls, the tourism minister, Marsha Henderson noted that they are looking forward to welcome the multiple inaugural cruise calls this week.

She added that the first ever visit by several cruise vessels to the Federation reflects the growing appeal of the country among international visitors.

Recently, the country also welcomed the inaugural visit by Explorer II to Port Zante. The Minister noted that these visit by the cruise ships comes at the height of the thriving cruise season of St Kitts and Nevis.

Minister Henderson said that they are committed and are looking forward to continue to attract high-caliber vessels, aiming to showcase the best of St Kitts and Nevis to the world.

MSC Virtuosa

MSC Virtuosa, operated by MSC Cruises is the newest and advanced vessels in the cruise line. It is a technological marvel which is equipped with a catalytic reduction system.

This system equipped in the vessel has the capacity to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 80% and a closed-loop exhaust gas cleaning system that lowers sulfur emissions by around 97%. The vessel has the capacity to accommodate around 6,334 guests and 1,704 crew members.

PM Terrance Drew greeted tourists and local operators

The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew interacted with tourists and extended a warm welcome to the country.

He also greeted the local operators and said that they have been enjoying this cruise season which is proving to be significantly beneficial for them, as they are busy in transporting passengers from one place to another.

Thriving economy and tourism sector

Focusing on the significance of cruise season, Minister Henderson said that every cruise call contributes significantly to their economy. She added that they all are excited to witness the arrival more of even larger vessels to the twin-island nation, aiming to welcome more visitors throughout the season.