The US Virgin Islands may see its first-ever floating hotel operation in the harbour of St Thomas Island (Charlotte Amalie, USVI) courtesy of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's CEO Oneil Khosa.
He offered to temporarily deploy one of the company's two cruise ships to the USVI for boosting tourism after the pandemic dies down.
During Thursday’s Health, Hospitals, and Human Services Senate Committee meeting, Khosa said the liner was a perfect 5-star hotel. He added that in the post-coronavirus era, having a floating hotel and partnering with the USVI's Government and trade associations could be "a win-win situation.”
One of the cruise ships displayed via video to the senators was Grand Classica - which usually cruises on roundtrips from homeport West Palm Beach (Florida) to The Bahamas. The vessel has max passenger capacity 1570 (plus 650 crew), 13 decks (5 with cabins), 656 staterooms, 15 bars/lounges, full-capacity Dining Room, Casino, Theater Lounge, Infirmary (medical facility). Khosa added that the ship could be used as a floating hospital if needed.
The company's other ship - Grand Celebration - went to St Croix Island (Frederiksted-Christiansted, USVI) initially and stationed there for nearly 3 months. The liner housed "first responders and people instrumental to the preliminary recovery of the islands."