Norwegian Gem makes Inaugural Call
(ZIZ News) — The second of eleven new cruise ships scheduled to visit St. Kitts during the 2014/2015 Cruise Ship Season docked at Port Zante on Monday.
The 2,846-passenger capacity Norwegian Gem Cruise Ship made its inaugural call to the Federation and played host to a plaque exchange ceremony.
The Norwegian Gem is a jewel class cruise ship of Norwegian Cruise Line and is the last cruise ship of the jewel class built by the German shipyard, Meyer Werft.
Operations Manager at the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Melnecia Marshall said local officials continue to find new ways of enhancing the Federation’s tourism product.
“As a destination, we are unique because of our diverse attractions and the variety of our product offerings. In 2012, a study scored the destination an 8 for overall visit. Our visitors also scored us 7.9 for our historical sites and they were also very satisfied with the warm welcome they received on island as they rated the destination and scored us an 8 for the friendliness of our people. Captain, this is not by chance as we continue to take a holistic approach to the development and marketing of the destination. We have also invested in training our nations to improve our destination’s standards in an aim to provide each and every one of our passengers with an authentic Kittitian experience,” he said.
Seaport Manager responsible for cruises at the St. Christopher Air and Seaports Authority (SCASPA) Loui Hendrickson told the captain that the Norwegian Gem and its crew have now found a second home in St. Kitts.
“I am sure that you will be delighted after seeing what we have to offer, Melnecia spoke of the many things that we have. It’s a great pleasure for us to have Norwegian Gem, the first call here to St. Kitts, calling to our port. One of the things that I would want you to remember is that it is your first call but you can see this island as a second home and you are welcomed to come whenever you wish,” he said.
Captain of the Norwegian Gem, Stefan Nordberg said he was delighted to report that St. Kitts’ Port Zante has already been included on the ship’s 2015/16 itinerary.
“We are very happy to be here, it’s our first call with Norwegian Gem. It’s my first call, I’ve never been here so it’s a new experience for me to and we are bound to come here for another call in December and we are looking forward to that and we hope for a long relation with St. Kitts and our company and we have new on our schedule for next year to so we will see you on a regular basis from now on,” he said.
Wallis Wilkin also made a presentation on behalf of the port agent, S.L. Horsfords and Company Limited.
The cruise ship boasts a four-lane bowling alley and a state-of-the-art theatre that accommodates one thousand passengers.
The Norwegian Gem is scheduled for another call in December and one in January.