St Maarten’s cruise rebirth is continuing in 2022, according to new data from Port St Maarten.
The Dutch side’s cruise port has received 316 cruise calls so far in 2022, bringing in a total of 493,000 passengers.
That outpaces the numbers the Port had projected by almost 55,000 passengers, according to a statement.
But low cruise vessel occupancy numbers in the first quarter, as the global industry was still emerging from the pandemic, prevented the numbers from being even better.
The numbers are expected to be significantly better in the upcoming season, however.
The 2022-2023 winter is projected as a “promising season,” according to Port St Maarten Group CEO Alexander Gumbs.
“This projection will increase activity in Phillipsburg and throughout the island, boosting economic activity. Vessels are expecting a 100% and above occupancy,” he said.