Passengers of Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas will be treated to a taste of St. Thomas Carnival on Wednesday at the Food Fair, the V.I. Port Authority announced Monday.
The ship will berth at the Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. The passengers and crew will participate in the events at the Food Fair, which will be held in Crown Bay Center from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Wonder of the Seas has a maximum capacity of 7,084 passengers plus 2,369 crew, according to the press release.
“The Port Authority is thrilled to welcome this unscheduled visit by the Wonder of the Seas. The Carnival Food Fair is one of the ultimate showcases of our local cuisine, treats, arts and crafts, fresh produce, and music. We are certain that this unique cultural experience will entice our cruise visitors to return for a longer stay in the U.S. Virgin Islands.” The stores and restaurants in Crown Bay Center will also be open on Wednesday, VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe said.
Crown Bay Center Fair Day Ferry and Shuttle Service, Traffic Flow, Parking, and Taxi Franchise Operations
Free ferry shuttle service will be available across from Gold Corner on the Charlotte Amalie Waterfront directly to the Crown Bay Center Excursion Dock. The Sea Express II ferry shuttle will transport passengers every 90 minutes between the Waterfront and Crown Bay for the duration of the Food Fair. The public is encouraged to use this free service to avoid vehicular traffic on Fair Day, the press release stated.
Free shuttle service will also be provided every 45 minutes from the Emile Griffith Park Parking Lot, the Emancipation Garden, and the Roy Lester Schneider Regional Hospital to and from Crown Bay. The land and ferry shuttles are provided courtesy of the V.I. Tourism Department, the release stated.
One-way traffic will be implemented starting from the intersection of Addie Ottley Drive and Nisky Lane (near Doctor’s Choice Pharmacy) and ending at the intersection of Cyril E. King Airport Road and Sarah Hill, it said.
Free parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the VIPA auxiliary parking lots adjacent to Crown Bay Center. Parking will not be allowed inside Crown Bay Center for the safety of the vendors and fair attendees, according to the release.
V.I. Taxi franchise members will be allowed to pick up passengers via the taxi feed line at the southern parking lot in Crown Bay Center only (adjacent to the Crown Bay Center main office). Pick-up in the eastern parking lot will not be allowed. Non-franchise taxi drivers will not be permitted in Crown Bay Center, it said.
