The Tribune

FREEPORT - Merchants in the Port Lucaya Marketplace are still smiling after Saturday's visit of the MSC Poesia. The 93,330 ton specially-chartered ship deposited more than 71 per cent of its 2,500 passengers onto shore to enjoy a day of fun and festivities in the Lucaya area. Keenan Baldwin, dock manager at Reef Tours, offered tendering services for the vessel. "We spent the day transporting hundreds of passengers to and from the ship. Along with transportation, we offered drinks and snacks and our onboard bar sold out extremely fast," he said. Conch stall owner Edroy 'Big Daddy' Brown was all smiles after a stunning weekend of sales. "Saturday was a lovely day. I had great sales," he said repeatedly. "I'd like to see more ships like this come back, especially right out there, so the passengers can come right off of the ship onto the island." Describing Saturday's much-anticipated call by the ship as "perfect", Lillian Miller, owner of Rum Runners bar said: "If the responsible authorities can bring that ship in once per week, it would be an unbelievable help for Port Lucaya and the same for the whole island." * For more on this story, see Saturday's Big T