The Star Breeze, a 204-passenger ship sailing for Windstar, has become the first cruise ship to sail into Antigua’s, St. John’s Harbor on a revenue itinerary on July 15.

According to a press release, the ship was greeted by a symbolic water canon salute, the booming of tugboat horns, and lively steelpan performances by Hells Gate Steel Orchestra. Minister of Tourism Charles Fernandez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism Senator Mary-Claire Hurst, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin C. James, General Manager of the Antigua Cruise Port Dona Regis-Prosper, Chief Health Inspector Sharon Martin, alongside other health and tourism stakeholders, were present to welcome the passengers and Captain Ricardo Pinzon.

“Today is truly an exciting day for Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise industry. It is one that we have been working hard towards with our Health Authorities and International Cruise lines to ensure that we restart in a safe and sustainable manner to the benefit of all stakeholders,” said Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism Charles Fernandez. “It’s also one that has been looked forward to with anticipation by the scores of businesses and hundreds of our countrymen who depend on this industry for their livelihoods.”

According to Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority, prior to the pandemic, Antigua’s cruise ship sector was “poised for exponential growth.”

“This is the first revenue cruise that the country has received in over a year. It comes at a time when Antigua and Barbuda has more than 37,000 persons in its adult population vaccinated, and COVID-19 cases are at an all-time low, following the successful management of the health crisis,” the authority wrote.

According to the press release, a third of Antigua and Barbuda’s labor force is employed in the tourism industry. In preparation for the safe restart the cruise sector, Antigua and Barbuda tourism officials invested in training tourism workers, COVID-19 protocol certified approximately four hundred tourism businesses, and improved port infrastructure to include the completion of a fifth berth.

They have also held months of discussions with Antigua Cruise Port management and the Ministry of Health designing health and safety protocols.

“Nothing could have given me greater joy today than the sight of the Star Breeze pulling into the port! We are absolutely thrilled to welcome this fabulous yacht-style cruise ship and its passengers and crew to Antigua & Barbuda. In recent weeks, we have been in many discussions with the Windstar Cruises team and the government to determine how to make this trip, and voyages to come, as safe and successful as possible for everyone involved,” said the General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port Dona Regis-Prosper.

She continued: “Given the fact that the threat of COVID-19 is still very real, the cruise line has advised that as a cautionary measure, only passengers taking organized tours will be allowed to disembark in the first instance, however, we continue to work with the cruise line and local health authorities as these protocols evolve. We are grateful for the confidence that the Windstar Cruises team has demonstrated in our port and our destination by choosing Antigua & Barbuda as one of the exclusive destinations for this sailing.”

All crew and passengers on the Star Breeze are fully vaccinated, Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority wrote. Over 60 passengers disembarked the vessel to enjoy organized tours in Antigua and Barbuda.