Antigua & Barbuda to Welcome More Cruise Ships Following Seatrade Participation
by Bruce Parkinson
The many colours of Antigua.
Sister Caribbean islands Antigua and Barbuda will see more cruise calls over the next few years following the participation of the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) at the recent Seatrade Cruise Global.
The ABTA delegation was led by CEO Colin C. James and included Canada Business Development Manager-Cruise Marketing Shamoi Richards
The delegation engaged in 16 high-level meetings with major cruise partners including Carnival Cruise Lines, Carnival UK, Royal Caribbean Group, MSC Group, Disney Cruise Line, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, AIDA Cruises, Emerald Cruises, Sea Cloud Cruises, Star Clippers, Marella Cruises, and Oceania.
“The results that we are seeing signals strong forward momentum for Antigua and Barbuda which is supported by favourable satisfaction scores from our visiting cruise guests,” said James.
“Every industry partner that we engaged were excited at the recent port upgrades and the opportunities that our destination now presents for additional homeporting, LNG fuel capability, new tours and excursions, and the prospect of working closely with us to grow their business with Antigua and Barbuda.”
The Eastern Caribbean islands will see increased cruise calls across multiple lines. Notably, MSC Group confirmed 12 calls in 2026, growing to 41 in 2027, including 13 calls from its luxury brand Explora Journeys. The destination will also welcome a major milestone on December 7 with the maiden voyage and first revenue call of the MSC World Europa, bringing approximately 5,250 passengers to Antigua and Barbuda.
From Royal Caribbean Group, Antigua and Barbuda is projected to receive 112 calls in the next season, while Oceania is set to deliver 52 calls annually, maintaining a weekly, year-round presence. Continued engagement with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection further strengthens the destination’s positioning within the high-value luxury cruise segment.
In addition to increased calls, ABTA says several cruise partners are actively exploring homeporting opportunities, citing Antigua and Barbuda’s strong airlift connectivity, efficient port infrastructure, and ideal geographic positioning as key considerations.
Cruise executives also confirmed strategic ship redeployments to capitalize on longer Southern Caribbean itineraries that include Antigua, reflecting growing demand for the destination within regional routing.
With a bumper season of over one million projected cruise passengers for next season and more than four hundred annual calls, destination officials say they remain focused on a value-driven growth strategy, enhancing on-island experiences through its 365 beaches, and heritage, while placing a strong emphasis on sustainability and immersive experiential cultural activities.
