Star Clippers is in talks with tourism chiefs in Antigua to find out what they are doing to step up security on the island after one of its passengers was attacked and killed on the Caribbean island last week.
Nina Elisabeth Nilssen, 30, from New Mexico, was visiting Antigua on the cruise line’s 228-passenger Royal Clipper last Tuesday.
It is understood she went ashore for a midday barbecue and strayed from the party, near Pigeon Point Beach. Antiguan police say her body was discovered around 5pm on a secluded trail at Windward Bay, near Pigeon Point Beach.
The Antigua Sun reported that the body was found with what appeared to be a stab wound to the neck and was partially unclothed.
Police say they have a description of the alleged assailant, but have not made an arrest.
A spokesman for Star Clippers said the cruise line is in talks with the ministry of tourism to find out what it is doing about security before deciding to cancel calls to the island.
The cruise line visits Antigua every two weeks. The next call is scheduled for February 2.
Norwegian Cruise Line said it is monitoring the situation in Antigua, but plans to continue its scheduled calls there at this time. It said emphasises safety and awareness to guests when they go ashore.
Silversea said it has not altered its itineraries to avoid Antigua or changed any excursions on the island. Other cruise lines have not yet responded.
In a statement, the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Authority, said: “The government recognises that safety and security for our citizens and our visitors is paramount. All necessary resources are being made available to the police to assist with the investigation and to help bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice. The government of Antigua commits itself to implementing policies and programmes to ensure security and safety for everyone in the country.”
This is the fourth time in two years tourists have been attacked on Antigua. Last January, Australian Andrew Gollan was shot during an apparent attempted robbery. In July 2008, British honeymooners Ben and Catherine Mullany were murdered in their cottage at the Cocos Hotel by an armed intruder.
Nilssen’s family disembarked Royal Clipper Tuesday evening. Star Clippers and the Antiguan government have both helped organise accommodations, flights home and arrangements to return Nilssen’s body to the US.
Star Clippers chief executive officer Mikael Krafft has expressed his ‘heartfelt sympathy’ to the Nilssen family.