Royal Caribbean Sets Sail for USVI, Estimates $40 million Revenue

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Royal Caribbean is setting sail for St. Thomas. The cruise company announced on Wednesday, June 18, that 15-20 of their ships would sail the Eastern Caribbean this year. Cruises start July 6 and every ship will stop on St. Thomas.

Several ships will also stop on St. Croix, including Celebrity Equinox to St. Croix on Aug. 18 and the Explorer to St. Croix on Sept. 28.

Good News for Businesses

According to Jayne Halcomb, Royal Caribbean’s destination director for the Americas and the Caribbean, the ships are sailing with approximately 30 percent of guest capacity. She added, “we hope to be at 100 percent by the end of the year, but we can’t guarantee that at this time.”

Halcomb also estimated that the territory would still see approximately 213,000 cruise ship visitors, as reported by the St. Thomas Source. Halcomb estimated the bump in visitors would generate an estimated $40 million in revenues.

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. applauded Royal Caribbean for setting sail and bringing cruises back to the territory. “Royal Caribbean has done the work in terms of preparing their vessels and their tourism product to reenter our shores. But, we still have a lot of battles and hurdles to get to that point,” he said. Govenor Bryan has been trying to convince Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis overturn a Florida law that bans vaccine passports.

Saftey Measures

Royal Caribbean outlined the COVID-19 safety measures they are taking to keep passengers and detinations safe. Two passengers aboard the Royal Caribbean Celebrity Millennium tested positive last week, but company representatives said that they were identified early due to their safety and health protocols.

Vaccinated passengers just need to show a vaccination card before getting on the boat. The process is a little more involved for passengers who are not vaccinated. First, they must show a negative PCR test taken five days before departure. Then they will be tested again five days into the cruise. While onboard, those unvaccinated individuals will be required to wear a mask in public outdoor areas and crowded outdoor areas. Guests under the age of 2 do not need to wear masks.

Vaccinated guests do not need to wear masks.

General safety measures include staggered arrival times, sanitization stations and all employees will wear masks. While in port, guests must comply with COVID protocols in place at each destination.

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