POINTE BLANCHE::----– Port St. Maarten management said on Monday that due to the approach of Tropical Storm Danny to the Leeward Islands during the past few days, this led cruise lines to review their port call itineraries, and out of the safety of passengers and crew, their visits to the destination were altered.
Oasis of the Seas has cancelled its port call for Wednesday, 26 August and Freedom of the Seas has done the same for Thursday, August 27. Carnival Conquest up to the end of the day on Monday, August 24, was still on schedule to call at destination St. Maarten on Wednesday.
Prior to the arrival of the storm system in the area of the Leeward Islands, two cruise vessels, namely, Carnival Liberty and Adventure of the Seas did make port calls over the weekend.
There was no impact to cargo operations at Port St. Maarten. Over the weekend eight cargo vessels docked and unloaded their cargo, goods and containers and those activities continued up to early Monday morning.
Four vessels namely, Amstel Trader, Vine 3, Melina and Orion, are scheduled to call on Tuesday at the cargo piers.
Port St. Maarten management pointed out that the approach of Tropical Storm Danny to the Leeward Islands allowed management, staff and stakeholders, to activate the port hurricane plan, and everything went according to the protocols established.
Port St. Maarten continues to be vigilant with respect to other weather systems that are east of the Lesser Antilles and ready to take the appropriate action if needed.