Excitement was building around the Austin Monsanto Marine Terminal as the largest cruise ship in the world made its way into Crown Bay early Wednesday morning. The Icon of the Seas sailed into St. Thomas on its maiden voyage.
Those viewing its arrival from the island’s hillsides saw what looked like a race to the dock between two scheduled ships — the Icon and the Edge-Class Celebrity Apex.
The one-of-its-kind Icon-Class ship made port under patchy clouds tinged by winter morning sunshine. Moko jumbie dancers waited to greet its passengers and crew.
So did 81-year-old Helena Seraphin, Tourism and Port Authority officials, senior center clients, and Crown Bay business owners.
There were also warm greetings for Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Senate President Novelle Francis Jr., and Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe, lawmakers past and present. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Vice President Russell Benford led the V.I. delegation on a tour of the ship and its amenities, followed by lunch.
The welcome delegation admired custom-made works of art and a landscaped enclave called Central Park. Among the murals, sculptures and horticulture were original works by Caribbean artists, Benford said.
A close look at the centerpiece atrium revealed an animated feature — three thousand inlaid tiles that open and close, revealing glimpses of light.
Among passengers strolling the decks was Anthony Rocca from Toronto, pushing a stroller. Wednesday’s voyage was for him a return sail to St. Thomas. He shared his impressions of the Icon.
“It’s really big. There’s a lot of walking. This is our first time with the baby. We’re trying to keep him busy,” Rocca said.
Also on the “really big” list is a life-sized sculpture of a whale suspended overhead at the top of the steps for the Pearl.
Bryan and his entourage stopped to sip coffee in a private dining space. He expressed optimism for the mid-tourist-season arrival of a new travel product like the Icon. “It’s great to have a partner like Royal Caribbean in the Virgin Islands constantly expanding, not only their product but our product,” he said.
Wednesday also marked the official signing of three agreements between the Port Authority, Royal Caribbean Group and Cruise Terminals International. Port Authority leaders say the deals will enable the transformation of the territory’s cruise industry and secure the U.S. Virgin Island’s position as a premier cruise destination in the Caribbean.
“It’s a bright day for the Virgin Islands,” said Carlton Dowe, VIPA executive director. “We are proud to welcome the newest and most innovative ships in the cruise industry to St. Thomas while simultaneously securing the Virgin Island’s future as a sought-after cruise destination through improvements that continue to bring the latest generation of ships to our shores.”
The two mega-ships in Crown Bay, with an estimated 7,000 passengers combined, arrived on the day when three more ships made port at the West Indian Dock in Havensight. Some travel experts believe their presence bodes well for the V.I. economy.
Close to 1.7 million cruise ship passengers made their way to the Virgin Islands in the 2022-2023 travel season.
