Summit not stopping in Tortola ... abominable new pier!

[loveandcruises]

Recently heard that our Oct. 19 repositioning cruise on Summit is not going to Tortola, but instead to St. Thomas, due to a new pier rebuilding project. So I went and googled the project and, oh Lord ... Why? Why?

 

Disney is behind building a new Mega-Pier! With a Ferris Wheel, no less!

 

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/2013/08/disney-cruise-line-partially-behind-tortola-pier-park-port-development-project/

 

I remember Belize ... I remember Roatan ... before they became shopping havens and destinations where you don't have to leave the pier. Now ... Grand Turk, Costa Maya, Falmouth ... even the pier in St. Maarten ... they're bring the commerce right to the gangplank.

 

I really enjoy the old outpost aspect of a Caribbean port, and not this cookie-cutter antiseptic vision of what a tropical paradise is supposed to look like!

 

Agree or disagree?

[wallie5446]

It is all about Free Enterprise in Country's that have lost all other means to support their citizens other than thru what the tourist spends.

 

They are just catching up to the rest of the world. We can not change it, so we have 2 choices:

 

1) Stop going,

OR

2) go with the flow and enjoy what little of paridise there is left.

[cruisingsince94]

Wallie5446 is dead on with his post. Countries or islands that rely on tourism are going to do whatever it takes to keep the cruise lines happy and in turn profit themselves from it. Tourism is all that many of these places have.

We have seen all these same changes over the years as well and although we don't enjoy or like what they have done, we understand and accept it. I do not enjoy cruising any less because of it and there is always the choice not to go into a port and just relax on the ship.

[loveandcruises]

It's just that the whole Disney-fication of the world bugs me.

Or that I don't have to walk 10 yards off the ship to find a Diamonds International.

[Want2Cruise 701]

Is the summit ever going to stop now in Tortola? It's a ways out, Dec of 2015, but we have this itinerary booked. We picked it because we've never been to Tortola or Martinique. I was glad the Summit added new itineraries so we wouldn't have to sail RC out of San Juan to get a different itinerary.

[kevinyork]

The exit from the ship in Tortola is very uninspiring. I think the plans are an improvement. A bit like St Kitts. If youve been to an island before and dont want to go too far its nice to get of the ship for a stroll around. It isnt as though they are demolishing anything to build this, the land is pretty desolate at present.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[A Sixth?]

Recently heard that our Oct. 19 repositioning cruise on Summit is not going to Tortola, but instead to St. Thomas, due to a new pier rebuilding project. So I went and googled the project and, oh Lord ... Why? Why?

 

Disney is behind building a new Mega-Pier! With a Ferris Wheel, no less!

 

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/2013/08/disney-cruise-line-partially-behind-tortola-pier-park-port-development-project/

 

I remember Belize ... I remember Roatan ... before they became shopping havens and destinations where you don't have to leave the pier. Now ... Grand Turk, Costa Maya, Falmouth ... even the pier in St. Maarten ... they're bring the commerce right to the gangplank.

 

I really enjoy the old outpost aspect of a Caribbean port, and not this cookie-cutter antiseptic vision of what a tropical paradise is supposed to look like!

 

Agree or disagree?

 

Compared to the dirt lot that's there now I think it looks like a lot of fun. :D

 

FWIW the Caribbean and Bahamas I remember from the early 1970's when I was teenager has been gone for a long time....

 

 

Edited May 31, 2014 by A Sixth?

[footer6]

I am very sorry to hear this, as I was considering this cruise. I visited Tortola "by accident" in 2008, when one of the engines of the Caribbean Princess broke down, causing a last minute change from St. Martin to Tortola. It was a Sunday in July. The locals were not expecting a ship in port, but when a ship appeared they opened the shops. The beaches were great. Another trip to St. Thomas is no substitute. Too bad.

[hcat]

Thanks for the heads up!

 

Wonder if the pier will be ready by our Nov 2015 cruise...would hate to miss that port. We are looking forward to going back...last time enjoyed a cab ride to Sopers hole...West End.

 

There are cute stores in Roadtown but honestly did not care for the flea market near the ship...and there is already a Diamonds Int there from what I recall...

 

best plan will still be to get out of the port town because it's a really pretty island....

Edited May 31, 2014 by hcat

[gimletgal]

Hopefully, for the folks in Tortola, this pier rebuilding project will not turn out to be similar to what happened in Falmouth, Jamaica.

 

In Falmouth, you can eat at DQ or Quiznos, :eek: and there are nice shops. Very well laid out. Unfortunately, no one stops to eat or shop! They are scurrying to get to their excursion pick up points. Once you are through the gate, you see the abject poverty and roads full of pot holes. The locals were promised that they would reap all this business from the cruise ship passengers. It is not happening, and, even worse absolutely nothing has been done to spruce up the surrounding area. (Somewhat reminds me of when I used to drive to Atlantic City from Philadelphia. You surely did not want to get "lost" on your way to the casinos!!)

 

Admittedly, Tortola needs some sprucing up at the pier. It is nothing but a dirt lot. But to go to this extreme? I'm afraid the locals are going to be mightily disappointed - again.

Edited June 1, 2014 by gimletgal

[A Sixth?]

Thanks for the heads up!

 

Wonder if the pier will be ready by our Nov 2015 cruise...would hate to miss that port. We are looking forward to going back...last time enjoyed a cab ride to Sopers hole...West End.

 

There are cute stores in Roadtown but honestly did not care for the flea market near the ship...and there is already a Diamonds Int there from what I recall...

 

best plan will still be to get out of the port town because it's a really pretty island....

 

Just to be clear, as far as I know there will be ships calling in at Roadtown without interruption.... it's just that Celebrity rarely goes there... I wish they did too

 

FWIW Carnival Liberty will be there in 11 days.

 

I agree, it's a nice stop, but I go on Princess to include that port.

 

edit...

gimletgal the citizens of the BVIs are very well off compared to most of the world, not just the Caribbean and Jamaica.

 

Edited June 1, 2014 by A Sixth?

[hcat]

Just to be clear, as far as I know there will be ships calling in at Roadtown without interruption.... it's just that Celebrity rarely goes there... I wish they did too

 

FWIW Carnival Liberty will be there in 11 days.

 

I agree, it's a nice stop, but I go on Princess to include that port.

 

edit...

gimletgal the citizens of the BVIs are very well off compared to most of the world, not just the Caribbean and Jamaica.

 

 

Thanks for the info...when I did some more searching it projects an opening of the new port in June 2015

 

Check out Connie for Nov 2015...

Edited June 1, 2014 by hcat

[hcat]

Hopefully, for the folks in Tortola, this pier rebuilding project will not turn out to be similar to what happened in Falmouth, Jamaica.

 

In Falmouth, you can eat at DQ or Quiznos, :eek: and there are nice shops. Very well laid out. Unfortunately, no one stops to eat or shop! They are scurrying to get to their excursion pick up points. Once you are through the gate, you see the abject poverty and roads full of pot holes. The locals were promised that they would reap all this business from the cruise ship passengers. It is not happening, and, even worse absolutely nothing has been done to spruce up the surrounding area. (Somewhat reminds me of when I used to drive to Atlantic City from Philadelphia. You surely did not want to get "lost" on your way to the casinos!!)

 

Admittedly, Tortola needs some sprucing up at the pier. It is nothing but a dirt lot. But to go to this extreme? I'm afraid the locals are going to be mightily disappointed - again.

 

Actually lots of people stay around the port area in Falmouth...either after excursions or for a good part of the day like we did last time around...there are some great shops there with locally made fine clothing, great music CDs and we enjoy lunch at the Jamaica Spice kitchen...also good places for enjoying rum. next time we will take a walking tour of Falmouth

 

I recall that for awhile Tortola did not want cruisers..they hsve many private spots, upscale homes and boaters visiting on sailing vessels etc.

seems Atlantic City is still the same.....

[gimletgal]

hcat - All I can say is that when I was in Falmouth in April, 2013, directly outside the gate to the pier area was a total disaster. Perhaps they have cleaned it up?

 

Haven't been to Tortola since Feb., 2008. The island folks were very friendly towards us cruisers back then. A local guy gave us a great tour of the island.

I'm looking forward to stopping there once again in November, 2015, but I can do without seeing a ferris wheel...:)

[pmcue]

I agree with OP. The cruise lines are taking over these islands and it is sad. St. Thomas has been completely ruined by the number of ships.

 

I enjoy cruising and pick cruises based on ports that have not yet been built up. Recently enjoyed dominica and Antigua very much. But I know they will also have huge ports soon enough. You just have to venture out of the port area, but in Caymen, St. Thomas etc... The sheer number of ships have taken over all the areas now, not just the port itself like in Grand Turk and Costa Maya.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Forums mobile app

[wallie5446]

I agree with OP. The cruise lines are taking over these islands and it is sad. St. Thomas has been completely ruined by the number of ships.

 

I enjoy cruising and pick cruises based on ports that have not yet been built up. Recently enjoyed dominica and Antigua very much. But I know they will also have huge ports soon enough. You just have to venture out of the port area, but in Caymen, St. Thomas etc... The sheer number of ships have taken over all the areas now, not just the port itself like in Grand Turk and Costa Maya.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Forums mobile app

In 2012 we were talking to the owner of Jacks Shack in Grand Turks. Her husband was one of the contractors that built the pier and shopping area. She said if that had not happened Grand Turk was going to become a deserted island, they could not live on what was spent by the few visitors that came. She did not want to move, and is very happy Carnival saw fit to build the pier.

Here we are having a cold one after some beach time.

 

Our first trip into St Thomas was in 1992, we have friends that live there and say the same things.

Edited June 1, 2014 by wallie5446

[CruisingYiayia]

In 2012 we were talking to the owner of Jacks Shack in Grand Turks. Her husband was one of the contractors that built the pier and shopping area. She said if that had not happened Grand Turk was going to become a deserted island, they could not live on what was spent by the few visitors that came. She did not want to move, and is very happy Carnival saw fit to build the pier.

Here we are having a cold one after some beach time.

 

Our first trip into St Thomas was in 1992, we have friends that live there and say the same things.

 

Hi EW…we spent our afternoon in Grand Turk at Jack's Shack, also. It was very interesting talking to the owner and his wife. He was telling us how he was there building the pier, and decided to stay.

[wallie5446]

Hi EW…we spent our afternoon in Grand Turk at Jack's Shack, also. It was very interesting talking to the owner and his wife. He was telling us how he was there building the pier, and decided to stay.

Morning!

Sure hope you and Greg can fit another cruise in later in 2015 so we can go with ya'll again!

[CruisingYiayia]

Morning!

Sure hope you and Greg can fit another cruise in later in 2015 so we can go with ya'll again!

 

We're doing the Summit Feb 21, 2015 and looking to book the Summit repo for April, 2015. Also, looking at the Reflection, Western, for November, 2015. Maybe you can join us for one of them???!!!! We have a group of 8 for February…and the more, the merrier!!! :):):):)

[shofer]

Hopefully, for the folks in Tortola, this pier rebuilding project will not turn out to be similar to what happened in Falmouth, Jamaica.

 

In Falmouth, you can eat at DQ or Quiznos, :eek: and there are nice shops. Very well laid out. Unfortunately, no one stops to eat or shop! They are scurrying to get to their excursion pick up points. Once you are through the gate, you see the abject poverty and roads full of pot holes. The locals were promised that they would reap all this business from the cruise ship passengers. It is not happening, and, even worse absolutely nothing has been done to spruce up the surrounding area. (Somewhat reminds me of when I used to drive to Atlantic City from Philadelphia. You surely did not want to get "lost" on your way to the casinos!!)

 

There were two ships docked at Falmouth when we were there in February. Silhouette and Liberty of the Seas. The shops were all busy and we saw several people sitting in the restaurants. All the shop clerks (except for the jewelry stores) were Jamaican. So not everyone was rushing through to their excursions.

 

Personally, I liked Falmouth and also Labadee. I thought the improvements were very passenger friendly. Give me flush toilets and a First Aid station always. LOL.

 

Sue

[ssanders79]

FWIW, the port development project link is no longer in development. However, the pier development is still occurring, just not with an outside agency in control.

 

"Government of the Virgin Islands will no longer pursue with Tortola Pier Partners"

read full details here http://www.bvi.gov.vg/news/statement-premier-and-minister-finance-dr-honourable-d-orlando-smith-obe-cruise-pier-developmen

 

 

Recently heard that our Oct. 19 repositioning cruise on Summit is not going to Tortola, but instead to St. Thomas, due to a new pier rebuilding project. So I went and googled the project and, oh Lord ... Why? Why?

 

Disney is behind building a new Mega-Pier! With a Ferris Wheel, no less!

 

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/2013/08/disney-cruise-line-partially-behind-tortola-pier-park-port-development-project/

 

I remember Belize ... I remember Roatan ... before they became shopping havens and destinations where you don't have to leave the pier. Now ... Grand Turk, Costa Maya, Falmouth ... even the pier in St. Maarten ... they're bring the commerce right to the gangplank.

 

I really enjoy the old outpost aspect of a Caribbean port, and not this cookie-cutter antiseptic vision of what a tropical paradise is supposed to look like!

 

Agree or disagree?

[hcat]

I'm confused...so there will be a new pier but no shops or Disney port village

 

I am mostly interested b/c our 2015 Connie cruise is scheduled stop there in 2015...and hope any construction will be completed by then...maybe the Carib port bd has an update

Edited June 3, 2014 by hcat

[Ship's Wake]

FWIW, the port development project link is no longer in development. However, the pier development is still occurring, just not with an outside agency in control.

 

"Government of the Virgin Islands will no longer pursue with Tortola Pier Partners"

read full details here http://www.bvi.gov.vg/news/statement-premier-and-minister-finance-dr-honourable-d-orlando-smith-obe-cruise-pier-developmen

 

Great information - thanks for sharing.