Two cruise ships, the Costa Fascinosa and Zaandam of the Holland America line, arrived at Port Castries on December 27, 2022, bringing 3,000 passengers to the island. Both ships received a warm welcome and participated in the ceremony to exchange plaques.
One of Holland America Legacy Cruise Line’s best ships, the Zaandam, can accommodate 1400 passengers. On December 27, the cruise ship’s first call at Port Castries was made under the command of Michael (Mikhel) Williams.
Zaandam is an elegant and comfortable vessel designed to accommodate fewer passengers while providing more space. Its scenery is influenced by music and includes musical instruments, including a Baroque-style pipe organ and signed guitars from Queen, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton, and the Rolling Stones.
Individuals can take advantage of regional cooking displays, food tastings, and wine tasting while on board. The yacht is 781 feet long overall and about 106 feet wide.
The numerous pieces of autographed memorabilia and collectables on board attest to the ship’s “Music” concept.
In order to greet passengers and crew on its inaugural trip to the island, representatives from the Saint Lucia Ministry of Tourism, Invest Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia Air & Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), and Cox and Company were present at Port Castries.
Every year, almost 300 cruise ships arrive in Saint Lucia. The island country is a popular destination for travellers who love taking cruises because of its stunning beaches, lush rain forests, and volcanic landscape.
The majority of cruise ships dock in Castries on the island’s northwest coast or at Pointe Seraphine, which is just across the bay, just like Zaandam or Costa Fascinosa.
The major purpose of many cruise ships stopping in Saint Lucia is to explore the Pitons, two sharp peaks that keep a lookout over the island’s southwest coast. It is gifted by nature with some of the most breathtaking views surpassing any Caribbean island.