By the Caribbean Journal staff

The first cruise ships have returned to the British Virgin Islands for the 2017-2018 cruise season.

The British Virgin Islands’ Tortola Pier Park was buzzing last week with the arrival of the first two official cruise ship calls of the season.

Passengers arrive in Tortola.

The Marella Discovery and the Marella Celebration brought a combined 2,800 passengers to the territory, another major step forward in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Many of the visitors remarked that, although they were aware that the BVI was impacted by the recent hurricanes, they wanted to disembark to support the local community, officials said.

While this was the first formal call, the smaller luxury ship, Sea Dream, made a call on Jost Van Dyke and Anegada at the beginning of the month.