The World’s Largest Cruise Ship Just Made Its First Visit to St Kitts 

Star of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, made its inaugural call to St. Kitts this week, a major milestone for one of the Caribbean’s top cruise destinations.

The historic call was marked with a plaque exchange ceremony at St Kitts’ Port Zante.

The event brought together Prime Minister Terrance Drew; Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, and International Transport Marsha T. Henderson; cabinet ministers; senior government officials; representatives from Royal Caribbean Group; and executives from the Ministry of Tourism, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority, and Delisle Walwyn.

“The arrival of this remarkable vessel represents more than tourism. It signals a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and responsible growth,” Drew said. “We recognize that the future of travel and tourism must align with the urgent need to protect our environment, and today, we celebrate a partner who shares this vision.”

The new Star of the Seas, part of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, is equipped with sustainability technology intended to support the company’s Destination Net Zero goals, which target net-zero emissions by 2050.

“Our Ministry has worked diligently to foster partnerships with Royal Caribbean Group, and today, the Star of the Seas’ call reflects the confidence Royal Caribbean has in our vision, our infrastructure, and our people. This collaboration is a testament to what we can achieve when strategy, hospitality, and ambition converge,” said Minister Henderson.

The inaugural plaque exchange ceremony is a maritime tradition marking a vessel’s first official call to a port.

Officials said the visit is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen cruise industry partnerships and support tourism-related economic activity in St. Kitts and Nevis.