Dominica welcomed Carnival Triumph of Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) this week as it made its inaugural call, arriving at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth. With a passenger capacity of 2,754 and crew size of 1,100, Carnival Triumph sailed to the “Nature Island” from Grenada. This is the Triumph’s only scheduled call to Dominica during the 2014/2015 cruise season.
To commemorate the occasion, government officials and tourism stakeholders exchanged plaques with the ship’s captain and crew as part of a welcome ceremony aboard the ship. Local steel pan ensemble, Ti Bois and Rhythm and Steels, provided shore side cultural entertainment during the festivities.
“We are excited to welcome Carnival Triumph, its passengers and crew,” said Colin Piper, Dominica’s director of tourism. “The relationship between Carnival Cruise Lines and Dominica began in 1989, and we are pleased to build on this long-standing partnership.
Upon leaving Dominica the ship sailed to St. Maarten. Carnival Cruise Lines began calling on Dominica in 1989, but stopped in 2010. This is the third CCL vessel to call on the island since 2010.
Cruise tourism is a major component of Dominica’s growing tourism sector. During the 2013/2014 cruise season, there were one hundred and eighty-eight (188) calls which translated into 282,404 passengers. An estimated191 cruise ships are expected to call to Dominica during the 2014/2015 season, bringing 292,210 visitors to the island. So far during the 2014/2015 cruise season, seven ships have made inaugural calls on Dominica.
Cruise visitors to Dominica can register for the island’s Return & Win program at the sign- up desk at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth. Passengers or crew receive a unique redemption code which is valid for $200 USD credit toward their next land-based vacation for a minimum five-night stay. Learn more at www.DiscoverDominica.com/ReturnandWin.
