Local News
St. Kitts Welcomes Historic Arrival of Icon of the Seas
Local Captain Makes Maritime History
Captain Ludel Harvey-Lloyd, hailing from St. Kitts and Nevis, has etched his name in the annals of seafaring lore. Alongside his seasoned counterparts, Captain Henrik Loy and the Chief Mate, Captain Harvey has accomplished a feat that will be remembered for generations to come – skillfully guiding the colossal Icon of the Seas into the embrace of his homeland’s harbor.
“The power is good, as a good pilot you always like power. Everything went well today and I’m happy for that,” remarked Captain Harvey, reflecting on the achievement.
The 1,197-foot-long Royal Caribbean Group vessel docked at the 2nd cruise pier at Port Zante, Basseterre, today, January 30th.
The significance of this event was underscored by Tourism Minister Marcia Henderson, who spoke to SKN Newsline ahead of the ship’s arrival.
“Her first stop is actually here in St. Kitts on the 30th. So we are ecstatic, as a matter of fact, and we are currently making plans to welcome them. We have about 30 minutes before the arrival ceremony,” Minister Henderson shared, her enthusiasm palpable.
Addressing the arrangements for the grand welcome, Minister Henderson emphasized the importance of safety amid the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19.
“We’re hoping to involve some members of the public, possibly students, as much as possible. We need to also take COVID into account. The ceremony takes into account all those things in terms of exposing passengers and locals to the ship,” she explained.
The journey of the Icon of the Seas commenced from Cadiz on December 23, 2023, and culminated in its arrival at the home port of Miami on January 10. With a crew of 2350 and a capacity of 5610 passengers at double occupancy, or 7600 passengers at maximum capacity, the ship represents a marvel of modern engineering and design.
