Despite the recent pronouncement of a brighter 2013 cruise tourism season, cruise tourism boss Nathan Dundas said Antigua & Barbuda is not yet out of the woods.

Tourism officials on Tuesday promised a better cruise season in 2013 with the return of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) during the traditionally slow summer period.

Local tourism officials are hailing as excellent, a decision by Royal Caribbean Cruise lines that will bring a major boost to the industry during the traditionally slow summer season.

The proposed US $100 million redevelopment budget for the downtown area of St John’s has been significantly reduced to somewhere in the $60 to $75 million range, according to general manager of the Antigua Pier Group, Conrad Pole.