BASSETERRE: Port Zante welcomed four cruise ships Tuesday —AIDAsol, Arvia, Grand Princess, and Jewel of the Seas—bringing 12,346 passengers to experience St. Kitts’ culture and attractions.
The busy port day comes as Tourism Minister The Hon. Marsha T. Henderson announced a significant milestone: St. Kitts surpassed its 2019 cruise passenger numbers in 2025, welcoming over 168,838 visitors.
“St. Kitts officially surpassed its 2019 arrival benchmarks in 2025,” Minister Henderson confirmed during a strategic meeting with local hoteliers, where she outlined the tourism sector’s direction for 2026.
The gathering focused on what Henderson described as “proactive growth and brand integrity,” with stakeholders agreeing on increasing travel while maintaining rigorous safety and service standards.
The Minister emphasized the need for unified action between public and private sectors as the destination prepares for homeporting operations and major events ahead. The meeting’s key directives included an intentional pivot toward expanding visitor numbers without compromising quality.
Henderson stressed that “as the destination advances homeporting operations and gears up for our major events, the private and public sectors must move as one.”
Today’s four-ship arrival demonstrates the port’s operational capacity and St. Kitts’ position as a competitive Caribbean cruise destination. Officials describe the operations as seamless, allowing thousands of visitors to experience the island’s offerings.