41 Cruise Ships to visit BVI during upcoming tourist season

Executive Council approval has been given for visits by forty-one cruise 
ships to the BVI during the period July 2002 to May 2004.
Such approval followed requests from cruise ship agents Romney Associates Consultants and Island Shipping and Trading Company Limited.
Some of the well-known ships scheduled to visit the BVI during the period 
are Freewinds, European Vision, Olympic Voyager, Norwegian Sea, Seven Seas Navigator, Norwegian Majesty, Carnival Legend, Dawn Princess, Ocean Monarch and royal Princess.

The United Kingdom and United States authorities are reportedly reviewing 
security measures for the operation of all ports.
"Considering the large number of US based cruise ships visiting the 
territory, a requirement for increased security in the BVI could be 
expected," according to Chief Minister and Minister responsible for Tourism 
the honourable Ralph T. O'Neal. "It is also possible that the territory 
would eventually have to appoint a dedicated security team at the ports of 
entry.

He also said that based on the number of visitors expected to descend on 
the territory, an arrangement is being discussed where one of the local 
ferry operators could transport some of the tourists to Anegada. He said 
this would help reduce congestion in Tortola and provide more tourist 
business for Anegada.