"steinbrenner" wrote in message
news:cG9uZGVydGU=.c3679c2ebff1534937723042d5fde8f9 @1134502751.nulluser.com...

http://www.revistainterforum.com/eng...702artgen.html

U.S. Navy vessel, three cruise ships cancel St. Maarten calls after
threat of terrorist attack

By John Collins (1)


The visit of the USS Gettysburg to Dutch St. Maarten was cancelled
after a threat of terrorist attacks against three cruise ships
resulted in their being diverted to other ports.

Although the threat of the terrorist attacks was later declared to be
a hoax, the damage had already been done as the popular cruise ship
port, popular for its shopping, lost million of dollars in revenues.

While several cruise ships call at St. Maarten each week, the
cancellation of the Gettysburg was particularly hurtful because it was
the first visit of a U.S. Navy vessel to St. Maarten since the 9/11
terrorist attacks in the U.S.

The visit of a Navy ship, especially one with hundreds of sailors, for
four days, has a big impact on the island's tourism-based economy.
Sailors are particularly popular with business people in St. Maarten
because, in addition to shopping and patronizing hotels, restaurants
and bars, a number of which count them among their best customers.

"Shock" was the reaction of Janet Taylor-Lambert, the president of the
local chapter of the United Services Organization (USO). "We're
extremely disappointed by the cancellation and worry about the 'domino
effect' because bad news travels fast," she said.

After that initial jolt, the Norway, the Century and the Carnival
Pride, each with passenger counts of 2,000 or more, all cancelled.


I'll bet all the pax on the Norway were really disappointed.;-)

Bill