New Port of Spain mayor Chinua Alleyne has promised cruise passengers are safe as the season was launched on Tuesday in the city.

At a press conference at its opening, Alleyne was not willing to disclose the planned security measures, but said, “Rest assured, we have been collaborating alongside the ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Tourism Trinidad, the Port Authority, the TTPS and other stakeholders to ensure that our municipal police officers are engaged in the safety arrangements for the cruise-ship season and beyond.”

In a release on Sunday, Tourism Trinidad said it was expecting close to 90,000 passengers this cruise season, a 51 per cent increase from the previous one.

Tourism Trinidad CEO Carla Cupid said one of the initiatives the body embarked on this year was to improve the guest and passenger experience.

That involved working closely with the Port of Spain City Corporation through Alleyne and the police as well as having visitor ambassadors “on the ground,” she said.

In Sunday’s release the body said 35 visitor ambassadors had been trained in customer service, tour operations, passenger safety and stakeholder relations. Their duties entail being positioned at the Cruise Ship Complex and key locations throughout Port of Spain to welcome passengers to the city, to Trinidad and provide visitors with “an amazing experience.”

In her feature address at the season’s openingat the Cruise Ship Complex, Dock Road, Port of Spain, Cupid said the country could expect 41 calls from November 14-April 17, 2024.

Ruby Princess was the first vessel for the season.

[caption id="attachment_1045370" align="alignnone" width="863"] Port of Spain Mayor Chinua Alleyne addresses the Live at Lunch show on Tuesday at the Brian Lara Promenade. PHOTO BY ANGELO MARCELLE - Angelo Marcelle[/caption]

“The significant growth that we are experiencing in cruise tourism is really a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts led by minister Randall Mitchell; Tourism Trinidad’s team; Port Authority of TT; our cruise stakeholders –too numerous to mention, but every one of them equally valuable – and the entire TT community to be their usual welcoming and hospitable selves,” she said.

Cupid said the organisation always prioritised cruise development by ensuring a memorable and authentic passenger experience.

“We believe by providing our guests with that uniquely Trinidadian experience, that leaves that lasting impression and encourages them to return to our shores for an even longer stay,” she said.

She said the cruis ships' calls will be distributed throughout the season, with each month offering a variety of visits.

Cupid said three new cruise lines will be welcome this season and seven inaugural calls. This showed interest in “Destination Trinidad” was growing.

Cupid said the day was special because the country was welcoming a cruise line that never left and always returned.

“Princess Cruises has always been a loyal partner in our industry's development.

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