[UPDATED] Tourism Ministry 'looking forward' to cruise ship visit for Carnival 2023

Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell says an upcoming cruise scheduled to stop at Trinidad for Carnival 2023 will allow this country to "see an increase in visitors and room stock."

There is no certainty as to when next there will be Carnival celebrations in TT owing to covid19, but the cruise line Royal Caribbean International, in partnership with Island Sea Fest, is advertising that it will dock in Trinidad for five nights for Carnival 2023.

On its website, it said it is an 11-night cruise.

The dates for Carnival 2023 are February 20 and February 21.

The company said the ship will depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico on February 15, 2023. In addition to TT, it will also later dock at Barbados and St Lucia.

The ship is expected to be in Trinidad from February 17-21, 2023, and will go to Tobago on Ash Wednesday – February 22.

A senior official from Island Sea Fest, who preferred not to be named, spoke to Newsday by phone.

She said the entire arrangement is being done in "the hope" that there will be a Carnival 2023 and is a result of around seven years of planning and dialogue.

"I think we are all at the point now where, realistically, we hope the cruise lines and cruises go back to where they were. We hope that flights and overall travel go back to where they were. And we hope entertainment, as a sector, goes back to where it was.”

She said life is generally unpredictable so there were always risks in making these arrangements and external factors that had to be considered.

She added, "There's no form of payment from us to the government or the government to us. The arrangement is done directly through Royal Caribbean, and so they have existing contracts with the ports."

She said the concept is a "floating hotel," especially as hotels in TT are usually fully booked during any Carnival season.

"It's all hope at this point...We don't want it to seem like we don't understand the current situation, but at the same time, due to payment plans and the fact that we want to make this as affordable as we possibly can, we do have to launch in that 12-18 month window in order for us to make it affordable and not put anyone through any type of financial strain."

She said the ship can take up to 3,400 customers and 1,400 staff members.

Mitchell said he pitched the idea at a cruise conference in 2018.

He said there are other cruise lines interested in similar arrangements.

"Average visitor expenditure for the Carnival season was estimated at $10,661 in 2020, so the expected expenditure generated by a 4,000 visitor capacity vessel will be a great source and contribution to the economic value of the world famous festival.

"The cruise will feature local entertainers, music and local cuisine and local products on offer to ensure that the 4,000-plus passengers experience authentic TT culture for the full 11 days.

"We look forward to welcoming Island Sea Fest and Royal Caribbean International in TT in 2023."

This story was originally published with the title "Royal Caribbean: We're sailing to Trinidad for Carnival 2023" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

THERE is no certainty as to when next there will be Carnival celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago, owing to the covid19 pandemic.

But the cruise line Royal Caribbean International, in partnership with Island Sea Fest, is advertising that it will dock in Trinidad for five nights for Carnival 2023.

In a press release on Monday, Island Sea Fest said it is an 11-night cruise “that features a five-night stop at the magical celebration that is Trinidad’s famous Carnival in February 2023.”

The dates of Carnival 2023 are February 20 and February 21.

The release said the ship will depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico on February 15, 2023.

In addition to TT, it will also later dock at Barbados and St Lucia.

The ship will be in Trinidad from February 17-21, 2023, and will go to Tobago on Ash Wednesday – February 22.

“Starting July 19, 2021, a ‘Hold Your Spot’ special offer for two easy payments of US$175 per person will be available on the Island Sea Fest website.”

It said the full reservation system will be launched on September 2, and “all ‘Hold Your Spot’ guests will be granted priority access for first stateroom choices and fees will be converted into credits that guests can apply towards their full reservation cost.”

Visitors to its website, islandseafesttrinidad.com, are greeted by the sound of Kes the Band’s Savannah Grass.

For the Trinidad stop, the website says, “Get ready for the greatest show on earth set against the most stunning backdrop of palm-fringed beaches, energetic waves, and amazing biodiversity. This is the highlight of your once-in-a-lifetime cruise adventure and you will not be disappointed.

“There is NOTHING that compares to Trinidad Carnival – the music, the culture, the food, and the vibes. This non-stop celebration can be all yours in 2023. Bring your revellers and your stamina, and we’ll give you the greatest time of your life.”

And on Tobago, “Tobago is an untouched natural paradise with stretches of secluded coastline where your footprints are likely to be the only ones you’ll see. It’s the perfect island to wind down on after the non-stop party of Trinidad Carnival. Soak up the sun, float away on turquoise waters, and recharge for the las lap that awaits.”

Newsday sent an e-mail to Island Sea Fest to find out what permission it had received to promote coming to TT in 2023.

A customer service representative said, “Although we cannot speak on the behalf of any specific government official, or on the behalf of the government of TT, we are working directly with the proper ministers and have been working, behind the scenes, for close to seven years on this project to ensure its success.

“The appropriate ministers, executives for Royal Caribbean, as well as the partners of Island Sea Fest, have all been working diligently to make this project a reality and a success for 2023.”