Nov. 9, 2007 — Passengers on the cruise ship MS Columbus got a warm Crucian welcome Friday while they enjoyed the beaches, restaurants and historical sights of St. Croix.
"Frederiksted is the place they want for their passengers," said Gov. John deJongh Jr. after a tour led by ship's captain Daniel Beissel. St. Croix is "on the right path" to receive more visits from this cruise line, deJongh said.
Beissel was pleased that the ship was able to berth with ease at a port close to town: "We like to be able to walk right into the downtown area."
The visit was not an isolated event.
"We will for sure be coming back to Frederiksted," Beissel said. "Passengers enjoy being on an island where there is not too many tourists. St. Croix is important to us."
The ship stayed in port for six hours.
During the ship's tour, deJongh presented the captain with several gifts, including a bottle of Cruzan Single Barrel Rum.
"We will use this for a special occasion, but not on board," Beissel said, laughing. He also presented a plaque to deJongh, who noted, "This is my first one … I'll hang it in my office."
On the pier, passengers were greeted with fruit punch or rum punch by smiling tourism staff members, who gave directions to the nearest beach and shopping area. Tours are scheduled "long in advance in Germany," said Pascale Altman, a member of the ship's excursion team.
The ship's arrival was good for most, especially the taxi drivers.
"Finally we get something," said Derick DePort of the St. Croix Federation of Taxis. "Even if it's small, we're thankful."
Drivers were ready to take the passengers to Christiansted, The Whim Museum, the Rain Forest, the Cruzan Rum factory and St. George Village Botanical Gardens — or to see the beer-drinking pig.
Passengers snapped pictures and took videos of the steel band that greeted them on the pier and the view of the Frederiksted waterfront. In the plaza, 10 vendors in a ring around the clock tower waited for customers.
"My things are so happy to get out of their boxes," said vendor Suzette King, who was joined by her daughter, Ariel. Without a ship there is not much work for artisans and vendors, she said. "I was ready to give up … it’s a nice feeling to be here. It's such a beautiful spot."
Despite the ambiance, some vendors said the day would have been more profitable if music had been provided by the Tourism Department.
Unise Tranberg, owner of Pier 69 restaurant, did a brisk breakfast business. "I did good, I did good," she said.
The MS Columbus carries up to 423 passengers and has 175 staff members. St Croix was the second stop in an 11-day cruise for the ship, one of four cruise vessels operated by Happag-Lloyd, a German firm that specializes in high-end excursions.
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