Cruise Ships Return To Dominica Following Political Campaign Scare

ROSEAU, Dominica, December 9, 2019 (CMC) – Tourism officials confirmed, yesterday, that cruise ships were returning to the island, following last week’s suspension, as a result of the violence that marred the campaign for the December 6 general election.

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, had said that several cruise liners had stopped visiting the island, as a result of the violence, which he had blamed on the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP).

Skerrit, who led his Dominica Labour Party (DLP) to victory in the election, revealed that the authorities, here, had been receiving calls from cruise line operators, “querying the safety of their passengers”.

But Director of Tourism, Colin Piper, said that in addition to the return of the cruise lines, all air flights had also resumed.

“We are pleased to inform that everything is back to normal, as it relates to tourism activities. Specifically cruise calls are back on, from Monday December 9, as well as all the airlines are operating into Douglas Charles (Airport), “he said.

Piper said the US-based Seaborne airline, which had cancelled flights, last week, had been rescheduling a number of flights, in order to continue serving Dominica.

“But, as of today, they have indicated that they are right back to their original schedule,” he added.

Piper said once the authorities, here, were able to convince the cruise line operaters about the safety of the island, “they inquired about coming back…and so the intent, going forward, that this would just be a minor delay, a minor cancellation…and now that has been satisfied they are back operating,” Piper added.

“Dominica reaffirms that it is open to conduct business and we welcome all our visitors to enjoy all that the island has to offer,” the tourism authorities said, adding that the MV Marella Celebration had docked at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth, today.