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There was an unrestricted view from the top of Swan Street all the way to Milk Market.

Passengers met by a quiet Bridgetown

Twas the day after Christmas and all through Bridgetown, four ships were in port and most stores were shut down. This was the situation in the City yesterday as the Marella Celebration, the Caribbean Princess, the Voldendam and the Freewinds all made a call to Barbados on Boxing Day.

 

With most of Barbados keeping tradition and observing the public holiday, the same could not be said for the others, as visitors to the island stepped off of their ships. Around mid-morning Bridgetown began to come alive with a smattering of pedestrian and vehicular traffic as more and more visitors started to make their way around the island.

 

Only two days before, all of Bridgetown was a hive of activity. In stark contrast, Swan Street was a complete ghost-town while, Broad Street began to show signs of life as Royal Shop and Cave Shepherd flung their doors open to welcome any cruise passengers or late Christmas shoppers.

 

Speaking to The Barbados Advocate, Manager Mark Clarke explained that there was sound thinking behind being opening on Boxing Day. “Today we have three or four ships in port – over 7000 passengers – and we are also being patronisedby locals – those who didn’t get an opportunity to purchase their gifts before Christmas whether due to work or other commitments. So every Boxing Day we are open,” he said.

 

Going on to say that they did not expect a big crowd and something more akin to their Sunday shopping, Clarke said that the opening was more for the visitors but it was something more businesses could look into.   

  

“It starts a bit slow and when the passengers are off the ship around 11:00/11:30, we’ll see the visitors along with the locals and we are open until 4:00 today. I know internationally they would expect that when they are cruising to find stores open. I can’t speak for the others but we open to facilitate the locals and the visitors alike and this is something we have been doing for a number of years,” he said.

 

As midday drew closer, the area outside the port was more lively as passengers were heading out for their activities in taxis, hired vehicles and on foot in their numbers. (MP)

Barbados Advocate

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