P&O Cruises Is Bringing Homeporting to St. Kitts

St. Kitts is taking a significant step in its evolution within the regional cruise industry, securing new homeporting operations that will shift the destination from a traditional port of call to a full embarkation and disembarkation hub.

Tourism Minister Marsha T. Henderson announced that P&O Cruises, operating under the Carnival Corporationumbrella, will begin homeporting in St. Kitts. The move positions the island as a fly-cruise gateway, with passengers arriving by air before joining their voyages and returning to St. Kitts at the end of their itineraries.

The shift is expected to deliver broad economic benefits for the destination. Homeporting passengers typically arrive earlier and stay longer, generating demand for hotel accommodations, restaurants, transportation providers, tour operators, and retailers across Basseterre and surrounding communities. Tourism officials say the model creates a deeper level of visitor engagement compared to traditional cruise calls, with increased local spending both before and after sailings.

Supporting the transition are planned infrastructure upgrades at Port Zante, including the development of a new international-standard cruise terminal. The enhancements are designed to improve passenger flow, operational efficiency, and the overall embarkation experience, while strengthening the port’s ability to handle higher-value cruise operations.

With the addition of homeporting, St. Kitts is positioning itself as a more strategic player within the Caribbean cruise network, expanding its role beyond day visits and reinforcing cruise tourism as a pillar of the island’s long-term economic growth strategy.