Royal Caribbean Group announced it has reached a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The MOU is a recommitment from Royal Caribbean Group to extend its existing 10-year, pier-use agreement for preferential berthing at VIPA’s cruise facilities in Crown Bay, St. Thomas and Frederiksted, St. Croix.  Royal Caribbean Group will expand its presence in both ports. The new deal will have specific targets for bringing guests to each island. The deal includes a significant redevelopment of Frederiksted, St Croix in the future.

The agreement is the first step in a longer process of expanding the cruise line’s visits to the islands, as well as looking at ways to expand the port facilities and guest experience.

In addition to guaranteed minimum revenues to the Virgin Islands and increased cruise visits to both St. Thomas and St. Croix, Royal Caribbean Group has expressed an interest in making landside improvements in St. Croix to enhance the island’s tourism products and dredging the pier to accommodate larger ships.

Jayne Halcomb, Royal Caribbean Group Director of the Caribbean/Americas, said they will focus on creating more opportunities for guests to explore.

Ms. Halcomb said community integration will be a big part of the project to ensure local businesses can prosper and grow due to new traffic. All of this work will have an eye on sustainable development.