Some 2 197 cruise passengers from the Rhapsody of the Seas on Tuesday put the new operational plan to assist homeport cruise passengers at the Bridgetown Port to the test.And according to Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Port Inc. (BPI), David Jean-Marie, the changes were welcomed by most passengers.“It was intense given the high passenger and luggage volume, but the changes implemented certainly allowed for greater ease of movement, which was welcomed by the majority,” he reported.Last Friday, the BPI announced the changes following complaints from cruise ship visitors about transit delays. The main challenge related to the transit of disembarking guests and luggage between the homeport terminal (Shed 3) and the exit gate.
Several measures have been implemented to improve cruise passenger service at the Bridgetown Port, following recent complaints from cruise ship visitors about transit delays.Chief Executive Officer of Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) David Jean-Marie said in a statement on Friday that an improved operational plan has been implemented to assist homeport cruise passengers disembarking at the port.“BPI recognises that some guests who had taken the Rhapsody of Seas cruise were in recent times understandably unhappy with traffic movements within the Port of Bridgetown which may have caused a disappointing end to their vacation. The main challenge related to the transit of disembarking guests and luggage between the homeport terminal (Shed 3) and the exit gate,” he explained.As a result, the CEO revealed that BPI, in collaboration with the Customs and Excise Department, has sought to give passengers several options once they complete baggage clearance.
Some Bridgetown taxi operators are benefiting from a boom in cruise tourism arrivals; others are feeling the pinch.On Monday, president of the Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-op Society Limited Adrian Bayley told Barbados TODAY that business was going “quite well” with no major concerns. He described the influx of tourists from cruise ships docking in Barbados as a “blessing” after a non-existent summer tourist season.“On the business end of it, it could be better but we understand that we are coming out of a COVID-19 situation, where some of the ships are not fully booked. So while there have been some challenges there are not a lot of complaints,” he said.
Two vessels under MSC Cruises - MSC Seashore and MSC Seaside - made their first call to the Port of Bridgetown on Tuesday, November 29.
These vessels are among the 16 inaugural vessels that will be sailing to Barbados during the 2022/2023 wi
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