POINT BLANCHE:--- Tour operators, taxi drivers and other stakeholders were briefed on Friday morning with respect to the state of affairs since the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo on Monday in preparation for the return of cruise ships to the destination.
The varied group was looking forward to welcoming cruise passengers and was enthusiastic to get back to business.
The first cruise ship to call at Port St. Maarten will be on Saturday when the Carnival Valor docks at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo facility. The second visit will be on Sunday by the Jewel of the Seas.
On October 21 Port St. Maarten will have four ships in port namely, Disney Fantasy, Carnival Sunshine, Norwegian Getaway and MSC Divina.
Representatives from both Tourist Offices, Dutch and French, were on hand to provide information as well as representatives from the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure and Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications.
Information was provided about the status of Front and Back Street, the Beach Promenade; Great Bay Beach; Marigot; Little Bay/Belair Beach, Simpson Bay Beach, Maho Reef Beach, Mullet Bay, Le Galeon, Grand Case Beach, and Orient Bay.
Information was also provided about the road network; diving conditions at Man of War Shoal and other areas; Lottery Farm; Butterfly Farm; Grandcase Lolos (eatery); Airports and Ports; and Pinel Island.
Some entertainment will be provided for cruise guests at different spots such as at the Port, Philipsburg Beach Promenade, and possibly Marigot.
