mix of traditional charm and contemporary character. A leisurely stroll into the city’s centre would allow cruise ship passengers to visit the century old Cathedral, the Derek Walcott Square named after one of two Nobel Laureates, the Carnegie Library and Parliament buildings. A must stop is the Castries market, where passengers can purchase a locally made souvenir and mingle with locals in true St. Lucian style. A mere fifteen minutes away from the city is Marigot Bay. Once the setting of famous movies such as Doctor Doolittle, today, Marigot Bay is home to a major Marina. However, to many St. Lucians, Marigot is their perfect place to fall in love – the atmosphere is perfect for romance. As Port Castries moves into a new era in its development as a cruise port, there is now need to ensure sustainable growth of this sector which will also allow St. Lucia
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to become even more competitive. During the peak season, Port Castries is very often over supplied with as many as five cruise ships in port on particularly busy days, with cruise lines vying for the now limited berthing facilities. Against this backdrop, the Government of St. Lucia is considering a partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) to redevelop Port Castries, increasing the berthing capacity while creating an aesthetically-pleasing sense of arrival to our visitors. This redevelopment will serve as the “front door” to St. Lucia and create a stunning visual experience in and around the harbour. This well researched developmental plan will consist of a mix of low to mid-rise condos or other residential configurations, such as hotels, waterfront retail, restaurants, yacht marinas, casino, and other related entertainment elements.
The harbour capacity will also be expanded to accommodate larger sized vessels such as the Oasis and Genesis class and assist the Port’s ability to provide berths to the growing number of cruise vessels wishing to call into St. Lucia. It will also capitalize on the 3-mile perimeter frontage of the harbour to create increased pedestrian movement and flow, including a pedestrian-friendly mass transportation system around the harbour. The potential to create commercial opportunities for St. Lucia remains a key objective of the redevelopment project. Therefore, the plan entails the creation of activity hubs around the harbour perimeter that will capitalize on local food, culture, and entertainment living up to its reputation of being ‘St. Lucia: An amazing shore experience’. BF Dona Regis Director of Marketing St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority