Grandeur of the Seas; however, will return to the Territory alongside Vision of the Seas on February 11, 2021, for a continuation of the warm lay-up, the BVI Ports Authority informed in a press release on February 5, 2021.

Rhapsody of the Seas became the first cruise ship on January 11, 2021, to call to the territory since it had placed a ban on cruise vessels on March 14, 2020, due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Grandeur of the Seas, also of the Royal Caribbean Group, had arrived in the territory on January 12, 2021.

Warm lay-ups

The economic benefits of extending technical calls or warm lay-ups include ships carrying out refueling, repairs and start-up activities in the Territory before they set sail again.

The BVIPA had previously said it believes “maintaining a link with and continuing to service the cruising industry in the safe manner proposed with technical calls/warm lay-ups can be a vital part of the rebooting strategy.”

Rhapsody of the Seas became the first cruise ship on January 11, 2021, to call to the territory since it had placed a ban on cruise vessels on March 14, 2020, due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Grandeur of the Seas, also of the Royal Caribbean Group, had arrived in the territory on January 12, 2021.

Grandeur of the Seas; however, will return to the Territory alongside Vision of the Seas (in photo) on February 11, 2021, for a continuation of the warm lay-up, the BVI Ports Authority informed in a press release on February 5, 2021.

Strict health & safety rules

The berthing of the cruise ships at the cruise pier was allowed under strict health and safety rules and crew members were not allowed to disembark.

“This is not a regular cruise call, the vessel does not have any guests on board, and it will be berthing exclusively to lay up, refuel, take on provisions and spare parts, and possibly other services,” Acting BVIPA Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard had said on January 11, 2021.

Meanwhile, BVIPA is reminding the public that the Cruise Pier is a secure zone and persons are not permitted past the security gate.