Disney Is Bringing More Cruise Ships to St. Maarten
The Disney Cruise Line footprint in St. Maarten is about to get much larger.
After the Disney Destiny made its inaugural call at Port St. Maarten this week, tourism officials said the visit marked the beginning of a significant expansion for the cruise line on the island, with Disney planning a sharp increase in calls over the next several years.
According to St. Maarten Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Disney is expected to make three calls to St. Maarten in 2026, followed by approximately 14 calls in 2027, with additional growth anticipated in 2028 as the cruise line continues expanding its fleet.
The increase comes at a time when Disney Cruise Line is in the midst of one of the most ambitious growth periods in its history, with five new ships currently under development.
A Growing Partnership
Speaking during the Disney Destiny’s inaugural visit, Heyliger-Marten called the occasion an important milestone in the relationship between Disney Cruise Line and St. Maarten.
Officials believe the cruise line’s expanding fleet creates an opportunity for the island to become an even more prominent stop on Disney’s Caribbean itineraries.
The government said it intends to continue working with Port St. Maarten to secure additional Disney sailings as new vessels enter service over the next several years.
The strategy reflects a broader effort to strengthen St. Maarten’s position among the Caribbean’s leading cruise destinations, particularly with premium cruise brands that attract high-spending guests and repeat visitors.
What It Means for the Island
Each Disney Cruise Line visit brings thousands of passengers ashore, creating business for taxi operators, excursion providers, beach clubs, restaurants, retailers and attractions across the island.
Tourism officials also see Disney’s family-focused audience as an important opportunity to introduce new visitors to St. Maarten, encouraging future return vacations and raising the destination’s profile among one of the cruise industry’s most loyal customer bases.
The projected jump from only a handful of calls to roughly 14 in 2027 represents one of the most significant planned increases by a single cruise brand in St. Maarten’s recent cruise schedule.
Port St. Maarten’s Role
Heyliger-Marten credited Port St. Maarten with helping secure the expanded partnership through continued collaboration with cruise lines and ongoing route development efforts.
The port has remained one of the busiest cruise gateways in the northeastern Caribbean, welcoming ships from virtually every major cruise company serving the region.
Officials said maintaining strong relationships with cruise partners remains central to the island’s tourism strategy as competition among Caribbean ports continues to intensify.
Preparing for More Visitors
The government also emphasized that continued cruise growth will require investments beyond attracting additional ships.
Heyliger-Marten said improving traffic flow, transportation, visitor services and supporting infrastructure will be essential as passenger volumes increase, with an emphasis on ensuring cruise tourism benefits both visitors and residents.
The goal, officials said, is to grow cruise arrivals responsibly while maintaining the visitor experience that has helped make St. Maarten one of the Caribbean’s most popular cruise destinations.
With Disney Cruise Line preparing to nearly quadruple the size of its fleet over the coming years, St. Maarten is positioning itself to become an increasingly important stop for one of the world’s fastest-growing cruise brands.
