TORONTO — Canadians stranded in St. Vincent and The Grenadines is being given the chance to board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship headed to Dutch Sint Maarten.
St. Vincent is currently grappling with evacuation efforts following last week’s volcanic eruption of La Soufrière. Over 160,000 people have been forced out of their homes in the Red Zone and moved to shelters, personal homes and hotels.
According to the Canadian High Commission, the U.S. Embassy is coordinating with Royal Caribbean Cruises for a departure opportunity from St. Vincent on April 16 to Dutch Sint Maarten. Boarding on the Celebrity Reflection will begin at 7:00 a.m. and will depart Kingstown Port, St. Vincent at 1:00 p.m. The ship will arrive in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten on the morning of April 17, at approximately 7:00 a.m.
There is no cost or travel fare for travel via the cruise ship. However, travellers will be responsible for making their own onward travel arrangements, including potential hotel stays in Sint Maarten and commercial airline flights from the Sint Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport.
Canadians who decide not to depart St. Vincent are being advised to prepare to shelter in place for an undetermined amount of time. There are currently no future plans for additional coordinated departure opportunities.
Those who wish to take this option to leave St. Vincent on the Celebrity Reflection, and who meet all of the requirements, must provide the following information to bdgtn-cs@international.gc.ca by April 15, 12:00 p.m.:
- Name (first and last)
- Date of birth
- Citizenship
- Passport number
- Passport expiry date
- Email address
- Contact number
If you would like to assist in relief efforts by donating essential items, click here for more information.
