The Oasis of the Seas visited St. Kitts for the first time yesterday, bringing more than 6,000 passengers.

Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce, The Hon. Lindsay F.P. Grant, led a delegation of stakeholders to participate in a plaque-exchanging ceremony to mark this significant occasion.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome the inaugural call of the Oasis of the Seas,” Minister Grant said. “This is one the greatest ships in the world, and so when in port, it is indeed a very special event for the destination.”

Minister Grant pointed out that this inaugural call was the first of five visits for 2016, in a year in which St. Kitts will exceed one million cruise passenger arrivals for the cruise season.  He said Port Zante was built more than 20 years ago, however, the port is able to accommodate the largest ships in the world, which is a testament to the vision of those people who conceptualized the port as well as to those who oversaw its upgrades.

Captain of the Oasis of the Seas, Per Kristoffersen, said the ship came with 6,380 guests, with more than 2,183 crew members representing a total of 77 nationalities.

“This is indeed a very special ship,” Captain Kristoffersen said. “However, I feel St. Kitts is even more special, especially since I have heard that St. Kitts has one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean, and so I am very eager to play few rounds.”

Also present at the ceremony were officials from the Ministry of Tourism, St. Kitts Tourism Authority, St. Christopher Air and Sea Port Authority, High Command of the St. Kitts Police Force and the ship’s agents Delisle Walwyn & Company Limited. 

A total of three cruise ships arrived in St. Kitts that day, bringing approximately 14,000 visitors to the destination.