WICO Projects 1.2 Million Cruise Passengers at Havensight
Havensight, also called the WICO Dock, can berth three ships at once and is separate from Crown Bay across Charlotte Amalie Harbor.
The West Indian Company Ltd. board unanimously approved WICO’s fiscal 2027 operating budget as the St. Thomas cruise operator projects 362 cruise ship calls and about 1.2 million passengers for the next fiscal year. President and CEO Joseph Boschulte told directors WICO had handled 302 calls and 946,199 passengers through May 31 of fiscal 2026.
The company did not release the budget total or a comparable full-year fiscal 2025 baseline with the announcement. WICO’s fiscal year runs from October to October.
Where the projected calls will berth
“Our FY2027 budget reflects our commitment to responsible fiscal management while advancing the initiatives that support sustainable growth and continued economic impact for the U.S. Virgin Islands,” Boschulte said.
The projected 362 calls and approximately 1.2 million passengers are for WICO’s Havensight Dock, the Long Bay facility in Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Havensight, also known as the WICO Dock or Havensight Pier, can berth three ships simultaneously and is distinct from the Crown Bay cruise facility on the opposite side of the harbor. It is tied to the Havensight Mall duty-free complex and sits about 1.5 miles from downtown Charlotte Amalie, giving cruise passengers direct access to retail, taxi services and shore excursion pickup areas near the pier.
Audit, insurance and capital projects reviewed
Directors also received an update on WICO’s 2024 independent audit, which was completed with no major findings, and confirmation that the company renewed its insurance coverage for the upcoming fiscal year.
On the capital side, the board reviewed progress on requests for qualifications and proposals covering development of more than 13 acres of upland property. Planned upgrades to WICO’s water distribution system, a utility project tied to the company’s port and property operations, also came before directors.
WICO updated the board on its ongoing engagement with the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. The company did not announce award dates, construction timetables or cost estimates for the upland development and water system work.
