The arrival was marked by a plaque exchange ceremony aboard the vessel with representatives from Hobson’s Enterprises Dock Services, St. Kitts Air and Seaport Authority (SCASPA) and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority.
Speaking at Friday’s ceremony, Director of Hobson’s Enterprises Ltd, Marissa Hobson, said that the while Hobson Enterprises is known as the leading shipping agent and customs brokerage firm in St. Kitts and Nevis, representing Crowley Shipping, UPS and others, it was a natural progression when the decision was formally made on 30th, April 2014, to appoint the company as port agent for Princess Cruises.
“We would like to assure Captain Draper and all tourism stakeholders gathered here, that this new relationship is intended to produce and deliver many service benefits for the passengers, who must be the chief focus of our combined efforts, onboard and on shore,” Hobson said.
She added that Dock Services was incorporated over one year ago as the cruise and yachting subsidiary of Hobson Enterprises, adding that immediately after its formation, CEO Damion Hobson and Port Manager Jason Brazier travelled to Miami and met with various cruise lines.
“Princess Cruises was so impressed with their presentation and also realizing that both companies shared the same desires for professionalism and excellence, just one month after, they appointed us as their local agent. The rest, as they say, is now history,” Hobson said.
She concluded that the history behind Princess Cruises and the federation is not novel, adding that based on present and future itinerary bookings, there is no indication that the relationship would change.
Representatives from both St. Kitts Tourism Authority and SCASPA welcomed the cruise line to the shores of the federation and said that the relationship between Princess Cruises and the federation would yield great benefits.
The ceremony was concluded with a short tour of cruise vessel.