Virgin Islands Port Authority welcomes Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas
The Virgin Islands Port Authority (Vipa) recently welcomed the Icon of the Seas of Royal Caribbean International to Austin’s Monsanto “Babe” Marine Terminal on St. Thomas for the first time. Government officials, including the governor of the United States Virgin Islands, Albert Bryan Jr., as well as the Port Authority and private sector personnel gathered to welcome the ship’s inaugural arrival.
In addition to the ship’s arrival, the day also commemorated the official signing of three agreements between Vipa, Royal Caribbean Group (RCG), and Cruise Terminals International (CTI) that will allow the transformation of the territory’s cruise industry.
Carlton Dowe, CEO of Vipa, noted that “we are proud to welcome the cruise industry’s newest and most innovative ships to St. Thomas, while ensuring the future of the Virgin Islands as a sought-after cruise destination through continuing improvements and bringing the latest generation of ships to our shores.”
The first agreement is an extension of the existing Memorandum of Understanding between Vipa, CTI, and RCG that reaffirms their commitment to develop the Crown Bay District, including the Austin Babe Monsanto Marine Facility and the Crown Bay Center in St. Thomas.
The second agreement is an addition to the Dock Use Agreements of 10 years existing between Vipa and the Royal Caribbean Group to advance the Crown Bay District Upland Development Project in St. Thomas. The agreements mark a significant step forward in the collaboration between Vipa and Royal Caribbean International, signaling further development and growth for the Virgin Islands’ cruise industry.