Resilient Lady makes inaugural call to Port Kingstown

The cruise ship, Resilient Lady, owned by Virgin Voyages, made its inaugural call at Port Kingstown last Sunday, January 19, 2025 and its captain, Nick Sunderland sang the praises of the destination.

Sunderland told a gathering of media and government officials who had converged at the Cruise Ship and Ferry Berth, that he has worked in the cruise industry for a while and had visited St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) on a different occasion.

He said he was proud to be the one to bring the Resilient Lady to SVG.

“It’s certainly a great pleasure to be here. A first-time call for Virgin Voyages in St Vincent, and a first-time call, of course, for our beautiful, Resilient Lady, which is the youngest of the sisters currently in operation,” the cruise executive outlined.

“Of course, we’ve got an amazing year 2025 with our fourth ship, the Brilliant Lady, coming into service. It’s great to be back. Obviously, Virgin is a fairly new company out there in the business,” Sunderland noted.

“ A lot of us from previous lives have worked in the cruise industry and have been to St. Vincent and know how beautiful it is, and we’re certainly, absolutely thrilled to be back…we’re exceptionally proud that we were the first Virgin ship to come here and experience the great landscape, of course, the beautiful waters and the amazing people, amazing food, and of course, your amazing welcome…”.

He said the occasion was made even more special as it was his birthday.

Minister of Tourism, Carlos James welcomed the Resilient Lady to SVG and noted that the destination has been “in a very, extremely passionate, courted relationship with Virgin Voyages for many years”; he was pleased to welcome the ship to SVG.

“I’m really happy that you are able to come here, especially on your birthday, to enjoy the wonderful beauty and splendour of this multi-Island destination,” James said.

He added that the country has seen a “magnificent” three years post COVID-19 pandemic of continuous growth within the cruise sector.

“It’s another third record year of consistent calls. We are seeing a lot more activity, particularly with our tour operators, our taxi drivers, those who are involved in the operation of welcoming vessels here to St Vincent and the Grenadines,” the tourism minister said.

He added, “I want to personally thank the team at the Tourism Authority, Annette and her team, as well as Carl James of the Port Authority,” with whom his ministry has been been working collaboratively, along “with all of the stakeholders to ensure we get these vessels here.”

James spoke of the record number of 100,000 stay-over visitors the destination has welcomed; a first for SVG.

“I can tell you, we will continue to grow this destination and to promote this destination. There are so many things here to offer visitors…”.

At the event a plaque was exchanged between James and Sunderland. The piece of artwork is multi-functional; it not only serves as a plaque, but can be used as a cheese board during wine tasting events.

Chief Executive Officer of the SVG Tourism Authority, Anette Mark was also present at the event.