Officials from the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) have given a favourable rating to the multi-million dollar Cruise Ship Terminal being constructed in the heart of St. George's.

The visiting delegation included President of the association, Michele Paige, Vice President of the Caribbean Atlantic Operations of Princess Cruise Lines, Stephen Nielsen along with Associate Vice President of Royal Caribbean International Celebrity Cruises Michael Ronan.

The FCCA members flew into Grenada for a two day visit to tour the facility which the ruling New National Party (NNP) administration sees as crucial to the growth of the cruise ship industry on the island.

Despite the good rating given to the project, expected to be completed in time for the 2004 Winter Season, FCCA officials could not say whether their ships will be berthing at the facility when it is opened.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday at a press conference held at the Ministerial Complex building in the Botanical Gardens, Paige said that her organisation is quite enthusiastic about the project.

She pointed out that several meetings had been held with the contractors of the project as it related to issues such as security, traffic flow, access to retail shops, and the length of time for embarkation and disembarkation of passengers.
Describing the facility as one of the best in the region, Paige disclosed that very soon FCCA officials associated with shore excursions will be in Grenada for a five day visit to look at what is taking place as it relates to the island's road network and transportation.

Vice President of Caribbean Atlantic Operations of Princess Cruise Lines, Stephen Nielsen was also high in praise for the project.

He told reporters that he was probably the most vocal opponent of the facility when it was first brought to his company's attention a few years ago.

However, he said that now seeing first hand how the project is taking shape, he is convinced that the Melville Street Cruise Terminal is the best way for bringing passengers to see the country and experience its beauty.

Nielsen described the Project as 'great', adding that he is 100% supportive of the idea and sees the facility as becoming one of the best in the Caribbean.

Director of Zublin Grenada, Dick Van Dyke who also spoke at the press conference noted that it was not an easy task selling the project to FCCA officials at the first instance.
He said that he is now convinced that based on their reactions following the tour of the facility on Tuesday, the FCCA members are satisfied with what they have now seen of the project.

According to Van Dyke , the marine part of the facility will be handed over to the Grenada Ports Authority in February and that work on the Welcome Center will start on February 1 and
completed by the beginning of September.

The hope, he said is for the entire facility to become fully operational at the start of the 2004-2005 Winter Season.