Saga Sapphire to open Trinidad’s cruise season

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – The arrival of the Saga Sapphire, which brought just over 600 passengers to the Port of Port of Spain on November 13, signaled the opening of the 2014/2015 Cruise season fo

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – The arrival of the Saga Sapphire, which brought just over 600 passengers to the Port of Port of Spain on November 13, signaled the opening of the 2014/2015 Cruise season for Trinidad.

A small ship by cruise liner standards, the vessel has been described as elegant, timeless and relaxing with spacious cabins and a host of exciting amenities including an Aqua Spa and fully equipped gymnasium.

In light of the prevailing global health concerns, Saga Cruises, the parent company of the Saga Sapphire, has adopted a zero tolerance approach to persons boarding the ship and enforced all health regulations, as ascribed to by the World Health Organization and the Cruise Lines International Association, with a view to safeguarding crew, passengers and locals at ports of disembarkation.

Officials of the Port Authority at the Port of Port of Spain worked in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Health, the Tourism Development Company Limited (TDC) and other key tourism stakeholders to ensure all protocols were in place for the arrival of the Saga Sapphire. Once the ship entered Trinidad and Tobago’s waters, the vessel had to meet pratique requirements, or pre-arrival clearance, in compliance with international health regulations.

As is customary, disembarking passengers were serenaded by the melodies of steel pan music and treated to an exciting cultural display featuring traditional Carnival characters and costumed dancers performing to the infectious sounds of calypso and soca music.

On the quayside, passengers had the opportunity to view and photograph the work of local designer and Carnival bandleader Brian Mac Farlane including depictions of local icons, sites and attractions among replicas of Trinidad’s distinct gingerbread houses.

The TDC is also committed to ensuring visitors experience a high level of customer service, and as such, the Visitor Guides were out in full force to assist cruise passengers with maps and information on the destination. All citizens were also urged to extend a warm and hospitable Trinbago welcome to all cruise visitors as they traversed the city of Port of Spain.

About Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago is located in the southeastern region of the Caribbean. With its careful approach to tourism, the dual-island nation offers a distinct blend of culture, eclectic cuisine and an assortment of eco-adventure activities. Trinidad, the ‘cultural capital of the Caribbean,’ is home to the world famous Carnival and the birthplace of the steel pan, the only new musical instrument to be invented in the 20th century. It is also home to one of the world’s top three nesting sites for endangered leatherback turtles and world class fine flavored cocoa. Tobago, sister island to Trinidad, is the quintessential Caribbean paradise with secluded beaches, quaint villages, private villas and award-winning eco-attractions that include the Main Ridge Rainforest, the oldest protected reserve in the western hemisphere and the six-time award winner for World’s Leading Ecotourism Destination by the World Travel Awards.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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