Sept. 13, 2004 –– St. Thomas picked up five extra cruise ship visits this week and stands to gain "conservatively "about $1 million in business thanks to the Hurricane Ivan woes of other ports, Edward Thomas, chief executive officer at the West Indian Co., said Monday.
"But we don't want to talk about it because it's at the expense of someone suffering," he said.
The extra ships come during the normally slow fall season.
A total of nine ships will call between Tuesday and Thursday. Thomas said passengers on the diverted ships expected to go to the Western Caribbean, but Hurricane Ivan put the kibosh on those plans.
Thomas said the passengers spend not only at "jewelry stores," but on taxis, tours and other activities.
Sam Gorakshkar of Omni Jewelers said he was pleased to hear about the extra ships.
"That would be good," he said.
On Tuesday, the Carnival Triumph and the Navigator of the Seas will arrive as scheduled. Additionally, the Caribbean Princess will call on St. Thomas.
Wednesday will see the Zuiderdam in port as scheduled. Additionally, the Carnival Glory, the Disney Magic and the Carnival Miracle will visit St. Thomas.
On Thursday, the Carnival Legend will visit as scheduled, but will be joined by the Voyager of the Seas.
Thomas said the Voyager of the Seas will visit regularly from Miami during the winter season. It will make its first winter call on Nov. 16. In the summer, Voyager of the Seas departs for the Western Caribbean from Bayonne, N.J.
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