(Castries, Saint Lucia, January 27, 2024) – Saint Lucia Cruise Port in partnership with AIDA Cruises hosted the first school tour aboard their AIDAperla vessel on Saturday January 25, 2025. This unique opportunity afforded the students a behind the scenes look into the various aspects of operational life aboard the vessel. AIDA Cruises specially curated a tour for the students which was both educational and recreational.
The Gordon & Walcot Memorial Methodist School was chosen for this venture and students between the ages of 9 – 12 were selected by the principal and teachers at the school. Principal, Miss Margaret Gabirel, remarked on the importance of this opportunity for her students. “For many, this may be the only chance to come aboard a cruise ship and have this type of experience and be exposed to the various career opportunities that are needed aboard the vessel. I believe this experience will be an unforgettable memory for all of them, myself included.”
Racquel Preville, Marketing and Communications Manager of Saint Lucia Cruise Port also expressed her enthusiasm and delight, “We at Saint Lucia Cruise Port are thrilled to partner with AIDA Cruises to create this opportunity for the students at the Gordon & Walcott Memorial Methodist School. It is one of our goals at Saint Lucia Cruise Port to truly lift the curtain between the cruise industry and the wider public and we hope this is the first of many opportunities to come. It is the desire of Saint Lucia Cruise Port to continue partnering with AIDA Cruises to create more opportunities for young persons at various stages of their academic career. This exposure will allow young persons to observe and experience first-hand the day-to-day operations aboard a cruise line.”
The students had a guided tour from a member of guest services, David, who regaled the students with fun facts about the cruise line and the AIDAperla vessel. Some highlights of the tour included the skywalk which featured a glass bottom walkway at the very top of the ship looking down into the town of Castries and a visit to the ship’s Kid’s Club where the students played different games.”
AIDA Cruises boasts a total of 11 vessels within their fleet of ships with AIDAperla having the capacity to host a total of 4,300 passengers and 950 crew members.
Saint Lucia Cruise Port thanks AIDA Cruises for this venture and is taking the steps to ensure Saint Lucia is the premier cruise destination regionally and internationally.
