Dominica Gets First Major Cruise Call Since Hurricane Maria

By Adam Leposa Feb 2, 2018 9:49am

Dominica welcomed its first cruise call since the island was hit by Hurricane Maria when the Mein Schiff 3, part of German cruise brand TUI Cruises, visited the destination on January 28. The visit, which brought over 2,000 cruise passengers, marked the first major cruise call to the island and the first call to the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth since the powerful category 5 storm struck the island just over four months ago. A smaller ship, the Sea Cloud II of Sea Cloud Cruises, called at the destination on December 29, 2017.

Discover Dominica, the island’s destination marketing organization, reports that the island’s government has invested over $3 million on the restoration of access, rehabilitation and upgrading of sites and debris clean-up since the storm. The cruise ship’s passengers were able to take part in many of the island’s shore excursions, including tours to the Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Twin Falls, Bois Cotlette Estate, Titou Gorge, whale watching tours and the blank sand Mero Beach. The island also organized a special series of cultural performances throughout the day for the cruise ship passengers, as well as a brief ceremony that included the presentation of a plaque by the Honorable Minister of Tourism, Robert Tonge to the ship’s captain and staff in appreciation for the first post-Maria call.

Since the storm Dominica has been steadily rebuilding its tourism infrastructure. According to the latest updates from Discover Dominica, Atlantique View Resort is scheduled to resume full operations toward the end of February. It is currently operating 18 out of its 35 rooms. Picard Beach Cottages is operating 12 of its 16 cottages, while Rejens Hotel has opened 16 of its 26 rooms, in the form of eight two-bedroom suites.

The Tamarind Tree Hotel & Restaurant/Bungalows reopened January 15.

Dominica Gets First Major Cruise Call Since Hurricane Maria

Related Stories