Oct. 3, 2006 – The 3,200 passengers aboard the Caribbean Princess received a royal welcome Tuesday morning as the cruise ship pulled into Crown Bay's newly extended 900-foot pier.
Balloons, mocko jumbies and dancers greeted the ship, which was escorted in by a parade of small boats accompanying a ceremonial water-jet display.
The Caribbean Ritual Dancers greeted the passengers some of whom got in the spirit right away and danced with the performers as the Sweeta band serenaded them. The performance ran from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Later that afternoon, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the passengers were sent off with more music and dancing. The arrival marks the first in a series of year-round visits by Princess Lines. A second visit by the Crown Princess is scheduled for Thursday, and another by the Sun Princess on Oct. 14. All the "visiting ladies" are expected to receive the royal treatment.
The visits are the result of an agreement, signed with the cruise line in July, which also covers port calls by Princess affiliates P & O cruises and Cunard, owner of the Queen Mary 2.
During its first year, the deal will bring more than 100 cruise ship visits and more than a quarter-million passengers to Crown Bay. (See "10-Year Agreement Reached between Port Authority, Princess Cruise Lines").
The Queen Mary 2 is scheduled for its first inside-the-harbor visits on Dec. 7 and Dec. 21, when the new Crown Bay Center is tentatively set for a grand opening.
After the dockside festivities, V.I. Port Authority board and staff members gathered shipboard to present a commemorative plaque to Princess Capt. Mariana Manfuso.
The excitement was almost palpable as VIPA members smiled ear to ear for an event that has been many long years coming. Among those representing the private sector, were St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce President Ted Bast and Cassam Pancham, FirstBank V.I. regional manager.
No member of the authority family wore a wider grin than Dale Gregory, VIPA engineering director. "That's right," Gregory said, "this is a good day in my life." Gregory knows whereof he speaks, having watched the project evolve for 23 years. "It had just started in 1983, when I began working," he said. " It's so nice to see it here for the people."
Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards, a longtime VIPA board member, started things off, presenting Manfuso with a bottle of Cruzan rum and a V.I. flag. "I want you to proudly display the flag when you come into our harbor," she said. "You are one of our major friends and partners."
Richards said, "This is an important day for the V.I. It represents years of work by the authority. We now have a facility to welcome you." She added, "We are not taking ships from anyone else; we are welcoming additional ships."
Board chairman Robert O 'Connor then presented a memorial plaque to Manfuso. "You have helped us with a dream come true," he said. "We are here as a partner of Princess Cruise Lines to facilitate your passengers. And, in a short time," O'Connor said, "we will have the center up and running."
Manfuso presented board members Richards, Kerry Drue, Hector Peguero and O'Connor with plaques to commemorate the day as well. Upon receiving hers, Richards said to the captain with a meaningful smile: "I will hang this in my office on St. Croix, so when you bestow a plaque for coming to St. Croix, I can put it alongside."
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