The largest cruise ship to visit Antigua and Barbuda, the Arvia, sailed into the St. John’s Harbour on Saturday for the second of four visits this season now homeporting has begun here.
Antigua Cruise Port’s General Manager, Dona Regis-Prosper, said while she remains pleased with the operations to date, there are some areas in which challenges remain.
One problematic issue involved longer than anticipated waiting periods for passengers, however, this will be addressed during the review of the ship’s call in a meeting this week.
Despite the issues identified, Regis-Prosper said that feedback from the Ariva’s passengers suggest that they have been left with a good impression of Antigua and Barbuda. Many of them remarked that St. John’s Harbour was among the best ports they had visited during their trip.
P&O Cruises Arvia arrived with 4634 passengers. Of that number, 768 disembarked in St. John’s while 770 began their cruise here.
Staffed by 1692 crew, six left the vessel while 15 boarded in St. John’s.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of shipping agent Delisle, Walwyn and Francis, Clayton Perkins, has reported that his company was also pleased with Saturday’s call.
The company is responsible for transporting passengers arriving and departing on chartered flights from V. C. Bird International Airport to and from the Arvia.
Perkins said moving several hundred people and their baggage presents a huge logistical challenge, however, he said the Delisle, Walwyn, Francis team rose to the occasion to the delight of passengers who have provided positive feedback.
He added that it is his company’s hope that the quality service they provide will persuade P&O Cruises to increase the number of passengers arriving Antigua and Barbuda when the next session begins in November 2023.
