Government Laments Cruise Ship Departure
ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – The Dominica government Monday said the decision by Carnival Cruise lines to withdraw one of its vessels after 21 years will have a severe impact on the local tourism sector.
Immigration Minister Charles Savarin told a news conference that the company had indicated it would stop the cruise line “Victory” from making its weekly calls here from November 2.
“The loss of the Carnival cruise line vessel after a 21 year relationship with Dominica is a bitter blow to the people of Dominica. The loss of employment in that sector impacting all business owners, taxmen, vendors, car operators, fruit and beverage vendors, banana farmers…is going to pose a major challenge to the government and people of Dominica.”
Savarin said the Carnival cruise lines with year round weekly calls to Dominica, provided a weekly income to many service providers and that withdrawal would “create a void not easily filled for stakeholders in the tourism sector”.
Savarin said that the cruise line had in a letter dated August 27, indicated that the high cost of fuel had been the major reason for pulling Dominica off the ship’s itinerary.
“The cost of fuel has forced us to restructure the Carnival Victory itinerary. Cancelling Dominica would save us more fuel than any other alternative considered. In addition to the fuel costs we have had complaints from our passengers regarding the excessive number of port calls on this seven day itinerary.”
He said the company also stated that it was a “difficult decision to make since Dominica has been a very good partner to the cruise line and it is only for economic reasons that Dominica was being removed from the itinerary”.
Government said it had sought to address the issue but the reasons put forward have made it difficult to find solutions. Negotiations however will continue to find a replacement vessel in the not too distant future.
Dominica 2011 Population And Housing Census