Beginning April 3, the world's largest cruise ship, the Explorer of the Seas, will call on St. Thomas on Tuesdays. The weekly Wednesday call is being changed to accommodate the number of mega-ships that call on St. Thomas that day.
Industry sources have said that the West Indian Co. Ltd. dock can handle only three mega-ships at a time, meaning that the Disney Magic is forced to the inner harbor every other Wednesday when the Grand Princess, Costa Atlantica and Explorer of the Seas also call on St. Thomas.
WICO had been negotiating with Royal Caribbean International to reshuffle the Explorer's itinerary for some time, the source said Wednesday.
Royal Caribbean announced the move Tuesday on its Web site, saying that beginning March 31, the Explorer will reverse her itinerary and visit Nassau/Paradise Island, St. Thomas, San Juan and Labadee before returning to Miami. The ship's first Tuesday call on St. Thomas will be April 3.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise company with 13 ships in service and seven under construction or on order.