The numbers from the recent cruise ship season are in. And they aren’t good.
According to recently released figures compiled by Virgin Islands cruise ship agents, the territory saw 340,484 passengers during the 2012-2013 season, a reduction of nearly 9.4 percent over the previous year.
The number of total calls that the ships made in VI ports also dropped by 5.5 percent to 287, the worst season in a decade.
Three United States-based cruise lines —Norwegian, Princess and Oceania — were the main contributors to the decline in calls, making 47 fewer VI stops this season compared to last.
Four other companies added a total of 44 VI calls, though 29 of them were made by Seaborn Cruises, a Florida-based company that operates relatively small ships such as the 209-passenger Seaborn Pride.
By contrast, Norwegian Cruise Lines formerly made more frequent trips to this territory with Norwegian Jewel, a2,300-passenger capacity ship.
See the June 13, 2013 edition for full coverage.
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