The Ritz Carlton-owned luxury cruise ship, MV Evrima, made its first visit to Frederiksted, St. Croix, docking at the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility yesterday. To celebrate the arrival, officials from the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) and the V.I. Department of Tourism held a plaque and keys exchange ceremony onboard, welcoming Captain Stanislav Mykhailychenko, his crew, and guests to St. Croix. The ship carried 271 passengers and 250 crew members during its 15-hour stay.

VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe shared plans to encourage more luxury ships to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands, particularly St. Croix, with seven new smaller cruise vessels expected to launch next year. The 623-feet long (190m) MV Evrima, built in 2022 and weighing 25,400 gross tons, offers an intimate, high-end cruising experience, accommodating up to 298 guests. Ritz Carlton plans to add two more ships to its fleet of luxury cruise vessels following the success of the Evrima.