By the Caribbean Journal staff

Dominica welcomed the MV Mein Schiff 3 this week, both the first major cruise ship to call on Dominica — and the first call to the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth — since Hurricane Maria.

The TUI Cruises ship brought more than 2,000 passengers to Dominica’s capital.

“Dominica’s ability to welcome visitors to the island after the level of devastation experienced just over four months ago has been described as an incredible achievement and has instilled much hope among its citizens and stakeholders within the tourism sector,” the Discover Dominica Authority said in a statement.

Dominica has been making a huge push to restore its tourism sector, with more than $3 million in investment on restoration of access, rehabilitation and upgrading of sites and clean-up in the wake of the storm.

Passengers on Mein Schiff 3 went all over the island, taking shore excursions to everywhere from the Emerald Pool to Trafalgar Twin Falls to a whale watching adventure.

“The call of Mein Schiff 3 created an opportunity to contribute to the economy as vendors, taxi drivers, tour operators, tour guides and many other tourism stakeholders were impacted by Hurricane Maria,” the DDA said.

The MV Mein Schiff 3 is expected to make five more calls to Dominica during this cruise season.