caribbean travel booking windows
Ffryes Beach in Antigua.
News

Antigua’s Cruise Industry Is Booming

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - April 2, 2023

The cruise industry in Antigua and Barbuda is booming, with surging passenger arrival numbers and a burgeoning position as one of the Caribbean’s top home-porting destinations. 

This year has seen a 78.7 percent increase in cruise arrivals to Antigua and Barbuda, with 349 cals and nearly 400,000 passengers compared to the previous year, according to Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin C. James. 

James was speaking during this year’s Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Fort Lauderdale, the industry’s top annual gathering. 

Antigua’s delegation to the show was led by Tourism Minister Charles Max Fernandez, along with James, ABTA Operations Manager Javier Jacobs, Donyelle Bird-Browne, Senior Business Development Manager-Partnerships, Shamoi Richards, Business Development Manager for Canada, Dona Regis-Prosper Manager GPH Antigua Cruise Port and Antigua Port Manager Darwin Telemaque.

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism delegation at Seatrade.

The team hosted dozens of meetings on cruise business, including itinerary inclusion discussion and updates on Barbuda. 

“Antigua and Barbuda  is a leading cruise destination in the Caribbean and forums like Seatrade give the opportunity to build dynamic, market and data-driven business-to-business relationships,” Fernandez said. “The convention integrates meetings and events with a broad array of industry insights, digital campaign reports, data-focused information, and solutions that create uniquely rich and vibrant destination experiences that must be included in the various cruise itineraries.

Another 42 cruise calls are booked between now and August 2023, compared to only three last year. 

The new home-porting sector will include four cruise lines with home-porting operations in Antigua. 

That will include Emerald Cruises, beginning in November with a weekly call and bunkering. 

Sea Dream will follow in November 2024. 

For more, visit Antigua and Barbuda

Popular Posts

A.R. Carnegie, 74, Caribbean Legal Legend

A Caribbean Journal Editorial He was never a judge, never a Queen’s Counsel. His robes were never silk. But A. Ralph Carnegie was a Caribbean John Marshall if there ever was one. Ralph Carnegie, A.R. in scholarly texts, passed away […]


Robinson: Manatt Approached Government

Lackston Robinson, Jamaica’s Deputy Solicitor General, testified that it was the law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, and not the Jamaican Government/Jamaica Labour Party, that made the first move to solicit a contract to lobby the White House, he told […]


IMF Back in Antigua on Performance Review

The International Monetary Fund has sent a team to Antigua for a third review of the nation’s performance on a stand-by arrangement with the IMF. According to the Ministry of Finance, the IMF team began the review Monday and will […]


Related Posts sangster bob marley restaurant

Montego's Bay Airport Has a New Look

Jamaica’s biggest air hub has unveiled a major new look, following a large-scale expansion and upgrade project at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.  The airport has revealed an expanded immigration hall and departure lounge, upgraded retail space and, […]


This Jamaica Luxury All-Inclusive Just Added New Suites  

jamaica all-inclusive new rooms

Just in time for peak season on the island, Jamaica’s Bluefields Bay Villas has announced the debut of its newest rooms: The Suites. The luxury all-inclusive resort has added four curated suites to the six private villas already on site. Perched above […]


How to Visit the Island of Grenada This Fall

spice

It’s easier than ever to visit the island of Grenada right now, and the island is only making things easier for travelers looking for a fall getaway.  JetBlue is set to launch new nonstop service to the island in November, […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You