Virgin Islands cruise ship numbers plummet. Suprised?

[Jason]

With cruise ship visits to ports all over the world booming, recently released figures compiled by Virgin Islands cruise ship agents say that numbers of passengers to the Virgin Islands in the 2012-2013 season fell by 9.4 percent over the previous year to 340,484 passengers, with the number of total calls made in VI ports also dropping by 5.5 percent to 287, the worst season in a decade.

Three United States-based cruise lines, Norwegian, Princess and Oceania, were reported to be the main contributors to the decline in calls, making 47 fewer VI stops this season compared to last, according to the BVI Beacon.

Four other companies added a total of 44 Virgin Island calls, though 29 of them were made by Seaborn Cruises that operates relatively small ships including the 209-passenger Seaborn Pride.

By contrast, Norwegian Cruise Lines formerly made more frequent trips to this territory with Norwegian Jewel, a 2,300-passenger capacity ship.

Source: e-Travel Blackboard: JAJ

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[coloradocruisers]

But now I want to know why the cruiselines are making fewer calls to the VI. The article doesn't say, but I'm thinking it has to be either port fees or safety concerns. Does anyone know? We love stopping at St Thomas.

[JohnG]

I think it is just less ships available to do Eastern Caribbean itineraries. They have increased the number of ships in the Mediterranean the last 2 years, they are deploying more to Alaska, and sending ships to China and the Far East, and Australia for homeporting. Some of those ships used to call in St Thomas.

[coloradocruisers]

Thanks John. That makes sense. But I would imagine that there are fewer port calls to other Eastern Caribbean islands as well; not just the Virgin Islands.