Gros Islet (St. Lucia), April 26 (IANS-CMC) Ten cruise ships have been berthed here as part of a strategy to allow as many patrons as possible to witness the second semi-final of the Cricket World Cup between title-holders Australia and South Africa.
"There was actually adequate room stock but the problem of airlift made the cruise ship option attractive," Dawn Charlery-John, the Local Organising Committee official with responsibility for accommodation, told CMC Sports.
"It was taken up by a number of tour operators who had difficulty getting airlift to the region at this time.
"One of the boats was actually underwritten by the Barbados government and was here since Tuesday evening, bringing in patrons from various destinations."
The ships have been docked in the Castries Harbour as well as the waters off the scenic Rodney Bay on the island's northwestern tip.
Among them have been Carnival Destiny, Carnival Legacy, Yankee Clipper, Mandalay, Polynesia, Lirica, Norwegian Crown, Massdam, Sea Dream II and Galaxy.
"It has been quite effective as it has reduced on the amount of traffic that would have been on the highways with the boats being berthed close to the ground, avoiding some congestion on the main highway that leads to the city," Charlery-John said.