Royal Clipper Cruise liner returns to Nevis

The Royal Clipper

NEVIS — (FEBRUARY 5, 2010) Premier and Minister of Tourism on Nevis, Hon. Joseph Parry said he welcomed the return of the Royal Clipper cruise ship to Nevis but described as unfortunate the incident which forced the ship to boycott Antigua and instead added Nevis to its bi-weekly schedule.

“The Ministry of Tourism and I welcome the cruise ship to our shores,” he said during an interview with the Department of Information on Wednesday, after the vessel made an unscheduled stop to Nevis.

The Star Clipper was once a scheduled vessel during the island’s cruise season, however its last visit to Nevis was in 2006.

According to Tamika Lawrence, Marketing Officer in the Ministry of Tourism, the Tourism Department had been in negotiations with Star Clipper and the agent (Smith’s Enterprises in St.Kitts) for the cruise ship’s return to Nevis.

Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Mr. Carl Williams, Marketing Officer, Miss Tamika Lawrence and Captain Vladyslav Nadolynsky

The Star Clipper has three ships within its fleet; The Royal Clipper with a capacity of 228 passengers, The Star Clipper-180 passengers and The Star Flyer with a passenger capacity of 170. All three have now been scheduled to call on Nevis during the 2010 / 2011 cruise season.

The Royal Clipper will visit Nevis every other Tuesday until the end of the cruise season when the ship will return to the Mediterranean and will later be re- route to the Caribbean again in November.

With much glee, the Captain indicated that the guests on board the Royal Clipper loved Nevis because of it tranquil nature, rich historical heritage and the island’s Rain Forest.

“One concern that Captain Nadolynsky questioned about Nevis was the safety of the island”, said Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Mr. Carl Williams, who assured him that Nevis was a very peaceful place with friendly and welcoming people.

“We at the Ministry of Tourism are pleading to the people of Nevis to keep the island an upscale destination where guest security is concerned. Any harm done to a cruise passenger or a guest in general, can definitely jeopardize the islands Tourism sector”, remarked Mr. Williams.