Barbados welcomed 938 passengers to the island as the “Ambassador Cruise Line Renaissance” cruise ship made its maiden call at the Bridgetown Port this morning.
During a plaque exchange ceremony on board the vessel, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.’s (BTMI) Chief Operations Officer, Cheryl Carter, welcomed Captain Yan Jouffroy and crew to the island.
Explaining why Barbados is considered a great home porting destination, Ms. Carter said: “This is more than a ceremonial occasion. It is really a powerful endorsement of Barbados as a premier port destination in the competitive region.
“We know that choosing a home port is a strategic decision, and for cruise lines serving the key North American and the European markets, Barbados offers a compelling long-term value proposition. Our geographic position as the eastern gateway to the southern Caribbean provides unparalleled operational efficiency for diverse itineraries.”
She also noted additional reasons why the Port of Bridgetown should be the choice for home porting, referring to the Port’s strategic investments to upgrade its operations and facilities.
“Our strategy is clear: to be the most seamless, enriching and forward-thinking port-of-call in the southern Caribbean. This begins with our infrastructure. The planned upgrades at the Port of Bridgetown are not just incremental improvements. They are a deliberate attempt and commitment to long-term viability and growth in both cruise and cargo.
“Our vision includes modernised berthing and enhanced passenger flow systems, which are all designed to ensure that your operations remain efficient and competitive for decades to come,” Ms. Carter noted.
It was also shared that the island was seeking to make exploration seamless for visitors with the implementation of new wayfinding systems across the island, giving people access to digital technology that they can couple with new digital payment systems that are compatible with international payment platforms. This, she said, would allow for “frictionless exploration, putting the entire Barbadian experience just a tap away.”
Captain Jouffroy thanked the welcoming party, which included officials from the Barbados Port Inc. and Platinum Port Agency, for their warm welcome to the island, saying he was “pretty sure our crew and our guests also will enjoy their stay today”.
The Renaissance has a carrying capacity of around 1,100 guests. It is expecting 441 passengers to embark before it makes its next port of call to Curacao.
Author: Sheena Forde-Craigg