Image via [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], Wikimedia Commons
Royal Caribbean International has set a date to return to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands following last month’s hurricane devastation.
The ship Adventure of the Seas will make its way to St Thomas on November 10, for the first time since early September.
Royal Caribbean has also committed to undertaking the restoration of Magens Bay, one of St Thomas’ most popular tourist attractions, in partnership with the government of the US Virgin Islands.
A grand re-opening is planned during Adventure of the Seas’ visit on November 10.
Power and water to the island has been fully restored and most downtown shops, restaurants, bars and tour operators are fully operational.
Royal Caribbean has committed to returning to San Juan, Puerto Rico and St Maarten by the end of November and is working closely with local governments to announce the exact dates.
However, all scheduled calls to the three islands are due to resume operate by December 1 – including calls from the world’s largest cruise ships each sailing with nearly 6,000 new visitors each week – Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas
The cruise line’s president and CEO Michael Bayley said: “We are very excited to get back home to our friends in St Thomas.
“The Caribbean is our family, having cruised there for nearly 50 years, and the long-standing relationships created in all this time are unwavering.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to help and proud to support the restoration of the iconic Magens Bay.”