Dominica signs pact with Carnival Cruise Line

Dominica has signed a three-year deal with Carnival Cruise Line for one of its cruise ships, the "MS Destiny", to call that island’s ports with an estimated 3,300 passengers weekly.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who signed the agreement last Tuesday, said the visit would help alleviate the economic problems confronting his nation.

"Let me say how happy I´m to be here this morning to be part of this important celebration, I say celebration because in our difficult time we welcome all the good business we can get in Dominica,´´ he said.

Tourism Minister Charles Savarin, said the agreement was a major boost for the local tourism sector to have two ships from the Carnival Cruise Line visit Roseau weekly.

While MS Destiny is scheduled to arrive here every Tuesday, the MS Jubilee, the other ship in the Carnival group, will ply the Dominican leg until May when the domestic cruise season officially ends.

Tourism officials say the country is experiencing its best-ever season with an estimated 230 calls being made by cruise liners during the period October to May this year.