On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the Soufriere Port made history with the simultaneous arrival of three luxury vessels, Ritz Carlton Ilma, Star Pride of Windstar Cruises and Emerald Sakara of Emerald Cruises.
The three vessels brought a total of 584 passengers and 655 crew members to the charming coastal town and marked a total of 48 vessels making anchorage calls to the Soufriere Waterfront for the ongoing cruise season.
Passengers and crew of all the vessels came ashore and enjoyed the natural beauty of the island with tender services provided to the recently rehabilitated main dock in Soufriere. Saint Lucia Cruise Port (SLCP), in collaboration with the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF), recently completed renovations to the dock.
The pier sustained substantial damage in July 2024 with the passage of Hurricane Beryl, which impacted the ability of all vessels to dock alongside.
The temporary reinforcement of the dock will allow for safe access and use by pedestrians and the limited mooring of vessels to improve ease of movement during the cruise season. Plans for the full restoration of the dock will be completed following the end of the current cruise season.
Mr. Lancelot Arnold, General Manager of Saint Lucia Cruise Port, stated “We are pleased that Soufriere has made history with the arrival of three luxury vessels at once. As more passengers and cruise lines visit our shores, we look forward to a continued partnership with SRDF that will continue to generate more opportunities for the community of Soufriere and will transform the Soufriere Waterfront.”
Saint Lucia Cruise Port shall continue to collaborate with the Government of Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, Soufriere Regional Development Foundation and other key stakeholders in the redevelopment and enhancement of this historically and culturally significant area.