st john ritz carlton
The new Ilma ship.
News

Barbados Kicks Off Cruise Season With First-Ever Visit By New Ritz-Carlton Yacht

By: Jose Antonio - January 12, 2025

Cruise season is now underway in Barbados, and the island kicked things off with a major new arrival: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ilma ship. 

The brand-new 224-suite boutique ship made its first call in Bridgetown last week. 

“The Ritz-Carlton brand is globally recognised as a leader in luxury, hospitality and service excellence, so to have the Ilma call on the Port of Bridgetown is indicative of the strides made in reinforcing Barbados’ status as a premier destination,” said Francine Blackman, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport.

The island’s cruise industry is in a very good place, according to recent data. Through November, Barbados saw a 23 percent increase in cruise ship arrivals, with 649,125 total cruise arrivals in the first 11 months of 2023 (data is not yet in for the full year). 

Ilma’s visit was followed by calls from Norwegian Breakaway, MV Viking Sea and MS Amadea, which combined brought another 6,101 passengers to Barbados. 

Demand for small-ship cruises, particularly ultra-luxe boutique ships, has never been higher. 

Popular Posts antigua catherines cafe

The 25 Best Best Beach Bars in the Caribbean for 2025, From Aruba to St Barth to Eleuthera  

You can find the perfect island. You can book the perfect hotel. But your vacation hasn’t really begun until you pull up to your chair with an ice-cold cocktail at the perfect Caribbean beach bar. For all of the wonders […]


The 25 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean for 2025, From Beach Hotels to Private Hideaways to Overwater Bungalows

all-inclusive resorts caribbean

Today’s travelers want experiences. They want great food. They want authenticity. They want thoughtful service. But if you’re been following the travel industry in the last half-decade, you know that what today’s travelers really want are all-inclusive resorts. The all-inclusive […]


Hyatt Is Closing This Riviera Maya Resort, With Plans for a Rebranding

riviera maya resort closing

Hyatt is closing one of its top luxury resorts in the Mexican Caribbean in a few months, with plans for a rebranding, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, one of a trio of properties in the […]


Related Posts antigua beach

The Beach-Filled Caribbean Islands of Antigua and Barbuda Are More Popular Than Ever

Postcard-perfect beaches (365 of them, to be exact). Secluded coves. Unforgettable restaurants. World-famous historical sites. Out-of-this-world resorts.  In the last decade, it’s been arguably the fastest-growing destination in the Caribbean: the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, which continues to see […]


The Dominican Republic’s Best Luxury Resort Is Re-Creating Frank Sinatra's Legendary Caribbean Concert

american airlines caribbean nonstop

It was more than four decades ago when Frank Sinatra headlined the Concert of the Americas: the legendary HBO event at the Casa de Campo resort in the Dominican Republic.  Now, as the property celebrates its 50th birthday, it’s recreating […]


The Best Hotel in Belize City Has a New Look. Here’s Why to Stay There Right Now. 

belize city hotel

The Maya history. The flavors. The culture. The boundless hospitality. If you haven’t been to Belize lately, you’re missing out on one of the most vibrant places to travel to in the Caribbean — and that includes its capital, Belize […]