The Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda is celebrating a monumental achievement in its tourism industry. On May 9, 2024, St. John’s Harbour welcomed its 500,000th cruise passenger of the year, marking a significant milestone. This impressive feat, achieved within the first four months of the year, highlights a remarkable surge in cruise traffic compared to previous seasons.
A Historic Milestone
“In the years of being a cruise tourism destination, this is the first time at such a fast pace in the 4th month of the year that we’ve been able to reach 500,000 passengers at this time of the year,” stated Rawle Reynolds, Operation Manager at Antigua Cruise Port, emphasizing the exceptional growth to local media.
The arrival of Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Beyond and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky on May 9th played a pivotal role in surpassing the half-million mark. These two vessels alone contributed over 4,000 passengers, pushing the total number of visitors for the year past the milestone. As of May 5th, Antigua Cruise Port had already received an impressive 496,000 passengers through 255 ship calls.
Industry Enthusiasm and Record-Breaking Projections
Antigua Cruise Port officials expressed immense enthusiasm about this achievement. Cynthia Jacobs Browne, officer-in-charge, stated, “These numbers are extremely exciting for us. Every passenger represents an opportunity for a taxi driver, restauranteur, shop owner, or tour operator to promote the best of Antigua and to make a better living.”
Looking ahead, Ms. Browne anticipates a record-breaking year: “We are on track for a record-breaking year, and we could not be prouder of our team and our success at this point. Bookings for the summer season are also up, and we are on course to outperform last year’s numbers. We look forward to sharing more record-breaking news soon.”
Factors Fueling Antigua’s Cruise Boom
Several key factors are contributing to Antigua’s unprecedented surge in cruise activity:
- Increased Passenger Numbers: Compared to May 2023, Antigua has seen over 105,000 more passengers and an impressive 42 additional ship calls. For the entirety of 2023, Antigua welcomed just over 500,000 cruise passengers. The current trend indicates a potential doubling of those numbers in 2024.
- Port Expansion and Homeporting: The recent opening of the new $30 million Oasis-class berth at the port has been instrumental in attracting larger vessels. This expansion, along with Antigua becoming a homeport for P&O Cruises’ 5,200-passenger P&O Arvia, has significantly boosted passenger numbers. The Arvia brings not only passengers but also approximately 1,800 crew members to the island, further contributing to the local economy.
- Rat Island Development: The Antiguan government has announced plans to develop Rat Island, situated north of the St. John’s cruise terminal, as an extension of the Antigua Cruise Port. This development will accommodate smaller cruise ships and yachts, allowing the port’s Heritage Quay to cater exclusively to larger vessels. Similar to Heritage Quay’s offerings, Rat Island might also feature an entertainment and dining hub.
Uncertain Future for Royal Caribbean Beach Club Project
While a $100 million beach club project in partnership with Royal Caribbean International was announced before the pandemic, its future remains unclear. This private destination resort, planned for construction at Fort James and similar to Royal Caribbean’s new beach club in Nassau, Bahamas, may not be back on track shortly.
A Thriving Future for Antigua’s Cruise Industry
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the beach club project, the overall outlook for Antigua’s cruise industry is remarkably positive. The island nation is well-positioned to attract even more cruise passengers with its ongoing port development, strategic homeporting partnerships, and commitment to enhancing the visitor experience. Antigua and Barbuda’s thriving cruise industry promises to be a significant economic driver for the islands in the years to come.
