Virgin Islands Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe dismissed false reports that Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) has canceled an additional six calls to the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to a release V.I.P.A. issued Sunday. Mr. Dowe confirmed with RCCL’s ship agent that while eight calls by the Allure of the Seas were previously canceled due to issues with the ship’s propulsion system, there are no additional cancellations — as was erroneously reported by some local V.I. news media, according to the authority.
The Consortium was told about additional cancellations, but after speaking with Mr. Dowe last week, who said he was unaware of such, the publication did not run a story on the matter.
On May 7, 2019, V.I.P.A. announced that RCCL had canceled eight calls by the Allure of the Seas to the Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay, St. Thomas on the following days:
- May 16, 2019
- June 6, 2019
- June 27, 2019
- July 18, 2019
- August 8, 2019
- August 29, 2019
- September 19, 2019
- October 10, 2019
According to the Port Authority, Allure is currently sailing at reduced speeds with two of three of its propulsion pods operating. The ship has adjusted a total of 25 itineraries from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida throughout the Caribbean to eliminate destinations that require high travel speeds.
However, Mr. Dowe said VIPA was pleased to learn that RCCL had also recently changed its Empress of the Seas itineraries to include six additional visits to the USVI — one call to St. Croix and five calls to St. Thomas. “While the Empress of the Seas is a smaller vessel than the Oasis-class Allure, the additional calls are greatly appreciated. They will help to lessen the impact of the losses that we may have experienced otherwise,” he said. RCCL revised the Empress of the Seas’ itinerary to add the following calls to the USVI:
Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility, Frederiksted – St. Croix
- June 19, 2019
Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Facility, Crown Bay – St. Thomas
- June 20, 2019
- July 18, 2019
- August 15, 2019
- September 12, 2019
- October 30, 2019
V.I.P.A.’s cruise ship schedules are published on the Seaports section of its website at www.viport.com. Updates and alerts are also posted on VIPA’s Facebook and Twittersocial media pages.
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