I was sad but not surprised to see Star Clippers has decided to drop Antigua, for the rest of this winter season at least, after one of its passengers was murdered there last month.
Not surprised because the last thing any cruise line wants is to risk the safety and security of passengers - an irritating phrase most of the time but I'll admit it maybe has some validity in this case.
Sad because my daughter and I had a lovely few days at the Blue Water Hotel on the island last October. We found it a friendly place, but with the usual annoying hassle if you wanted to buy something at a market stall.
The taxi drivers were efficient, chatty and all abided absolutely to the rates per journey system laid out by the government or whoever (such a good idea as it saves having to haggle every time you want to go anywhere).
Murders can and do happen everywhere. The problem is, it's happened too many times lately in Antigua. This was the fourth murder in less than two years.
As I've said before, it's easy for a destination to get a bad reputation, far more difficult to win back it's good name.
Star Clippers is the first to leave, but I suspect other cruise lines will follow - not immediately maybe, and they'll say it's nothing to do with this incident, but slowly, slowly they'll find other islands to visit because they can't afford to take a risk.
For once, I hope I am wrong.
Jane Archer
