By Alexander Britell and Guy Britton

There was a new energy at this year’s Seatrade Cruise Global conference, thanks in large part to its return to the Miami Beach Convention Center.

But there was a particularly palpable energy in the Caribbean section, where destinations descended upon the world’s leading cruise industry event with renewed gusto.

The Caribbean’s biggest cruise players were on hand, from regional powers like the United States Virgin Islands and St Maarten and St Kitts to fast growing destinations like Antigua, the British Virgin Islands and Martinique.

The BVI put on arguably the most popular show, with a special luncheon event featuring local cuisine and spirits (including the new Soggy Dollar Rum).

It was also a strong message of the region’s tourism recovery, which has been accompanied by a major bounceback in the cruise industry.

— CJ