Anchoring in Adventure: MS Vista’s and MSC EXPLORA I First Visit to the Caribbean Gem – Dominica
Dominica is delighted to welcome two luxurious cruise ships, MS Vista and MSC Explora I, marking significant events in the 2023/2024 cruise season. The arrival of these two vessels demonstrates the island’s appeal as a popular cruise destination and its commitment to providing visitors with unforgettable experiences.
MS Vista made its inaugural call at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth on Friday, November 24, 2023. This marked the fourth inaugural cruise call for the season and the ship’s first of two scheduled visits. The vessel, which can accommodate one thousand two hundred (1,200) passengers, offers an array of dining and guest experiences. Passengers had the opportunity to explore Roseau, visiting places like the Botanical Gardens, Morne Bruce, Trafalgar Falls, and Emerald Pool.
On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, MSC Explora I made its inaugural call to the island at the Woodbridge Bay Port. A plaque exchange ceremony was held aboard the ship to commemorate this event. The vessel, sailing under the flag of Malta, has a passenger capacity of one thousand four hundred and seventy-three (1473) and will make four calls during the ongoing season. Passengers engaged in various tours, including visits to Mero Beach, Trafalgar Falls, Emerald Pool, Indian River, and the Cabrits National Park.
As of November 22, 2023, Dominica has received a total of thirty-five (35) cruise calls, bringing twenty-three thousand, nine hundred and eleven (23,911) passengers to the island. Of these, twenty thousand four hundred and fifty-four (20,454) disembarked, with ten thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven (10,837) engaging in organized tours. For the 2023/2024 cruise season, the island anticipates two hundred and twenty-two (222) cruise calls, translating to over three hundred and sixty thousand (360,000) passengers. Among these, thirteen (13) are expected to be inaugural calls.
CEO of Discover Dominica Authority, Colin Piper, expressed his delight at welcoming both ships. He said, “We are looking forward to the rest of the 2023/2024 cruise season and solicit the cooperation of all tourism stakeholders to ensure that our visitors have a memorable experience. At Discover Dominica Authority we continue efforts to promote the island as a desirable cruise destination and increase the number of cruise calls.”
With the arrival of MS Vista and MSC Explora I, Dominica is poised for an exciting and successful cruise season. These vessels’ luxurious amenities and unique experiences undoubtedly provide unforgettable experiences for their passengers.
