BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS — A steel drum band provided a festive welcome for the Seabourn Odyssey earlier this week, the first ship to arrive in St. Kitts and Nevis since the start of the pandemic.

After the ship docked at South Friars Bay, Prime Minister Timothy Harris addressed passengers and crew, saying it was a “wonderful day for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.”

Noting that tourism is one of the main drivers of the local economy, the Prime Minister added: “Our plan is to reopen the destination for tourism and travel responsibly. We have implemented a phased approach to rebuilding the cruise sector aimed at supporting our local economy and providing our visitors with a safe and positive on-island experience.”

The Seabourn Odyssey  will make a port call in St. Kitts and Nevis every week from July to October 2021. An entire roster of major cruise ships is scheduled to follow the Odyssey in the coming weeks, including: Celebrity Summit (July 29, Aug. 12, Aug. 25); Allure of the Seas (Aug. 11, Aug. 25); Celebrity Equinox (Aug. 24), and Symphony of the Seas (Aug. 26).

Currently, the minimum protocols for any cruise ship visiting St. Kitts & Nevis are as follows: 

• All crew and all passengers over the age of 18 must be vaccinated. 
  
• All passengers, crew and children under the age of 18 must present a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of home-port embarkation. 
  
• Only bubble vaccinated tours and attractions will be offered to cruise passengers. 
  
• Passengers and crew are not permitted to interact with the general population. All tours will leave the dispatch area within the secure perimeter and return.
  
• All personnel interacting with cruise vessel operations including ship agents, port staff, taxi and tour operators must be vaccinated.

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority in conjunction with the Ministry of Health has worked with stakeholders to develop fully vaccinated ‘Travel Approved’ bubble tours, to showcase the island’s one-of-a-kind attractions such as UNESCO World Heritage recognized Brimstone Hill Fortress, the St. Kitts Scenic Railway and Caribelle Batik. 

For more information on travel to St. Kitts & Nevis go to www.stkittstourism.kn and www.nevisisland.com.