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Tortola is back in Disney Cruise Line's charts

PHOTO: FCCA
A small parade welcomes Disney Fantasy passengers to Tortola Pier Park
Disney Cruise Line returned to Tortola on Tuesday for the first time since the 2017 hurricanes devastated parts of the British Virgin Islands.

Steel drums, welcome drinks and a small parade greeted Disney Fantasy passengers.

54 shops are open in Tortola Pier Park

Tours operated, and some 54 shops of the 72 in total were open in Tortola Pier Park, the five-acre shopping and entertainment facility adjacent to the cruise dock. Management and tenants of Tortola Pier Park continue working to attain a 100% operational status by year's end.

After getting a one-two punch from hurricanes Irma and Maria, the British Virgin Islands have made great progress in rebuilding over the past year.

'It looks like the island never even skipped a beat. I’ve never been here before but looking at it from the outside it looks amazing,' one Disney passenger said, a representative comment from nearly 20 provided to Seatrade Cruise News by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. The passenger continued: 'It looks like nothing bad ever happened here. We went snorkeling. The waters are crystal clear the people were nice also. Everyone had a lovely time.'

Assistance from the FCCA

'We were so happy to see Disney Fantasy berthed at our pier and their over 3,600 passengers and 1,531 crew members on ground enjoying our cruise and shopping facility and the destination,' said Vance Lewis, interim CEO of Tortola Pier Park. 'Our partner cruise lines and Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association have worked tirelessly with us over the past months ensuring the quick recovery of our islands, and Disney Fantasy being back here is yet another showing of their commitment to the BVI and our cruise product.'

Lewis added that the destination looks forward to the full return of all its cruise business.