St. Croix’s economy is getting an added boost this week as a record five ships call on the island, bringing thousands of cruise passengers to its shores to shop, dine, and explore all St. Croix has to offer, Tourism Department officials said in a statement.

The banner week started with the arrival of the Summit on Monday followed by the Millennium on Tuesday and the Journey on Wednesday. The Adventure of the Seas and the Mercury will visit St. Croix Saturday, according to a statement from Tourism.

Along with the usual live musical entertainment, Cruzan Rum samples and souvenir gifts, the Tourism Department has organized a special once a month “Customs Square Show” extending the entertainment from the pier into the historic Customs Square, encouraging residents to enjoy entertainment and camaraderie with cruise passengers in downtown Frederiksted.

The show kicks off at noon with a dance performance by the African drumming and dance group Per Ankh. DJ Poppy Pops will keep the show moving, providing music for dancers from Ricardo Richards Elementary School, Music in Motion, Sparkle Lite Twirlers and members of the Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbie troupe. The show wraps up at 4 p.m. as costumed performers pose for pictures and say farewell to cruise passengers.

“With close to 8,000 cruise passengers anticipated by the week’s end, this is certainly a busy week for St. Croix,” said Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty in the statement. More than 70 calls are estimated for St. Croix for the 2009-2010 season.

The department is emphasizing its efforts to promote St. Croix. Next month representatives from the Department of Tourism and the Port Authority will attend the annual Seatrade Conference in Miami, Florida where the port of St. Croix will be showcased among the territory’s three seaports. While in the Miami area, Tourism officials will also meet with cruise line executives, travel agents, airline executives and the media to further raise the destination's profile.