TCI: Talks started with Carnival Cruise Line on resumption of cruises to Grand Turk

#TurksandCaicos, May 5, 2021 – Government on Monday met with Carnival Cruise Line; a meeting which is aimed at preparing Grand Turk for a return to cruising and a return to what is forecast to be even more cruise passengers.

“I am made to understand that Carnival has sold its small ships and has invested in larger vessels and in fact, even before the pandemic was looking at extending the pier to accommodate the large vessels,” said Premier Washington Misick during his 50-days-in-office press conference held Monday.

“What I can tell you is that I am having a meeting with Carnival at 3 o’ clock this afternoon (Monday May 3) because I understand that the sailing of cruise vessels, may be green-lighted by the CDC as early as July and we want to make sure that we get carnival as quickly as possible in order to alleviate the hardships for those persons in Grand Turk who make their living one way or another by engaging with Carnival.”

Turks and Caicos continues to hold its ban on cruise ship arrivals; a post-Covid-19 measure due to expire in August.  However, with demand for Grand Turk and a port of call expanding beyond Carnival Cruise Line, that could change.

“I can say to you that, there are other interests in the industry in Grand Turk by other cruise vessels.  I can also say to you that we had a very fruitful meeting on Friday to look out how we could accelerate draw down on the Carnival Infrastructure fund for the benefits of the improvement of the environment in Grand Turk and how the government itself can make major investment by improving the visitors’ experience by preserving the history, particularly looking at how we can authentically develop the historic district in Grand Turk.”

Despite plans to do so, in speaking directly to the Premier and Finance Minister it was explained the previous government never did draw down on the Carnival Infrastructure Fund – said to currently hold $11 million dollars – in order to lend direct financial support to islanders. 

It would have been an extraordinary use of the Fund, but the Coronavirus Pandemic indisputably created extraordinary circumstance. 

The new PNP Government promises to get spending happening on projects to enhance the historic character of Grand Turk. 

Cruising resumption dates have been a moving target amidst the pandemic but the industry is aiming for a July return to cruising from US ports, with CDC approval.  Currently, vaccination of staff in Galveston Texas and Port Canaveral, Florida – major disembarkation ports – is well underway.

When cruises do resume, it is the new administration’s view that Grand Turk should be ready and look ready to give visitors a better experience on island. 

TCI Tourist Board 2020 figures reveal 66 per cent of the tourism arrivals lost were due to the halt to the cruise industry; it has been 14 months since a cruise call in the country’s capital.