Antigua and Barbuda has welcomed Arvia, the largest cruise vessel to ever visit the destination.
The new vessel, owned by P&O Cruises, has a 5,200 passenger and 1,800 crew member capacity. The grand ship made its inaugural call at the Fifth Berth where it also conducted homeporting operations.
During the official welcome ceremony held by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Antigua Cruise Port, to mark the momentous occasion, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, The Honorable Charles Fernandez remarked that the visit signifies a major development for our cruise sector.
Of future homeporting arrangements, the tourism minister remarked:
“We look forward to continuing homeporting operations with great anticipation as it forms part of the plan to expand Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise tourism platform.”
“We anticipate that this activity will reap significant rewards for several of our stakeholders including our taxi operators.”
Arvia will be homeporting in Antigua and Barbuda every other Saturday until March 11, 2023, during this season. Arvia will also return for more homeporting operations in November 2023.
Saturday’s (January 28) homeporting exercise was coordinated by the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, Antigua Cruise Port, Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority, the Antigua & Barbuda Airport Authority, Customs & Excise Division, and the Immigration Department.
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Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. The twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches – one for every day of the year. The largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108-square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua’s tourism events calendar includes the Antigua and Barbuda Wellness Month, Run in Paradise, prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity hideaway. The island lies 27 miles north-east of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away. Barbuda is known for its untouched 11-mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere. Find information on Antigua & Barbuda here or follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
SEEN IN MAIN IMAGE: A water canon salute welcome for the Arvia – image courtesy of The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
Media Contact:
Maria Blackman
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Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
T: 1 (268) 562 7600/464-7601
