A crowded season
By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor
Over 110,000 cruise passengers have arrived in Grenada during the first three months of the 2015-2015 winter season, spending an estimated total of about $4 million, according to the Grenada Tourism Authority.
The GTA recorded 50,000 arrivals from 29 calls in November alone, while the season expects 231 cruise calls.
“This winter cruise season has been a busy one, with more scheduled cruise calls than the last,” said Esther Thomas, Manager of Research and Planning at the GTA. “From the start of the season in September to Christmas Day we’ve recorded a 96.5% capacity rate, suggesting that many cruise ships arrived close to maximum passenger capacity. The figures to date have already surpassed total December 2014 arrivals.”
Seven cruise ships made their first call to the port of St. George’s since September, and there are an anticipated five more calls from January to the close of the season in May 2016.
“There is definitely an increased traffic of museum patrons this season so far when compared to this time last year,” said Spencer Francis, Clerk at the Grenada National Museum. “Our repeat visitors who first came here two and three years ago are happy with the new improvements to our display.”
Cruise visitors to Grenada also spend the day exploring the island, relaxing on the beach, engaging in water sports, and discovering the history of the Spice Isle.