Cruise Season Closes With Over One Million Passengers
BASSETERRE — St. Kitts and Nevis welcomed more than one million cruise passengers during the 2025-26 season, which closed Sept. 30, according to the Minister of Tourism, The Hon. Marsha Henderson.
Henderson shared the figure recently at a press conference at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort marking the start of Tourism Month. She said the result reflects the work of stakeholders across the industry.
“While we are grateful for this recovery, what matters most is what the numbers represent,” Henderson said. “And these numbers represent hard work, resilience, stakeholder collaboration, and a commitment to strengthening partnerships.”
She said the government wants the benefits of cruise tourism to reach local people.
“Every cruise call is an opportunity to bring more benefits to our people,” Henderson said. The government is committed to helping stakeholders and community businesses share in the growth and to giving every visitor a warm, professional welcome.
Tivanna Wharton, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, said the volume means some days bring five or six ships into port. She said cruise lines have consistently rated Port Zante nine out of 10, and that the ministry must maintain that quality.
Wharton said growth also raises questions about capacity, including how many people attractions and beaches can comfortably handle and what pressure several vessels in port at once place on roads, transportation providers and communities. The ministry is addressing these as it develops a new tourism strategy.
“Mass tourism is never our ultimate goal,” Wharton said, adding that the ministry is working to ensure its decisions are backed by data.
The Minister said 300 people across the sector were trained over the summer to deliver that welcome. They included staff of the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority and the Urban Development Corporation, as well as vendors, taxi operators and tour bus operators. More training is scheduled in the coming weeks.
“Do not just show up and attend the training. Apply it,” Henderson said.
Henderson described the 2026-27 season as one of “preparation and transition,” setting the stage for what she called a “truly transformational” 2027-28 season. P&O Cruises is scheduled to begin turnaround operations in 2027, and the ministry will introduce new policies to improve operations at Port Zante, she said.
A team from Carnival Corporation is to visit in the first week of November, Henderson said. The visit will include a stakeholder engagement session on what the destination must do to be ready, as well as meetings with agencies including health authorities.
