Norwegian Cruise Line to Call on St. Lucia

Norwegian Cruise Line to Call on St. Lucia

New cruise ship calls will be made to St. Lucia in the 2012-2013 season when Norwegian Cruise Line makes regular visits to the island. Tourism Minister Senator Allen Chastanet has announced that the top cruise company has added the Caribbean island to its Norwegian Sun’s Southern Caribbean itinerary for the new season.

“This is incredibly exciting news for our tourism sector. St. Lucians are thrilled to welcome Norwegian,” he said, adding that the decision to include regular stops to St. Lucia was made after the company sampled the island's offerings with limited calls in 2009.

“Their commitment to St. Lucia is no doubt due to our natural beauty, the new attractions and the licensing regime we have introduced, improved facilities for our guests…and uncompromising standards of safety and security.”  

President of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Michele Paige said there was no question that St. Lucia is quickly emerging as a preferred travel destination for member cruise lines.

Norwegian and other FCCA member lines have partnered with New York's Monroe College to recruit graduates from the College's hospitality and marine academy program at the St. Lucia campus. The program helps sharpen the skills of island nationals, reduce unemployment, and boosts the number of Caribbean people who are employed in the cruise sector.

Senator Chastanet believes the real education will begin on board as future employees earn a living while being trained by “some of the best business people on the planet”.