Sarah Bretz, ContributorLast week, the Antigua Cruise Port reached a significant annual milestone, welcoming four ships and 13,312 passengers. As of December 28th, the port recorded 570 cruise ship calls and 825,526 passengers for the year. This is compared to 446 cruise ship calls and just 670,234 passengers in 2023. These figures represent a 27 percent increase in ship calls and a 23 percent increase in passenger arrivals year-over-year.
Among the ships docked at the port on the 28th were Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Breakaway, P&O’s Arvia, and the elegant Emerald Azzurra. Notably, Arvia and Emerald Azzurra are homeporting at Heritage Quay, further solidifying Antigua’s growing reputation as a premier homeport.
“Today is a shining example of what teamwork, vision, and dedication can achieve,” said Gasper George, General Manager of the port. “The significant growth we have experienced this year reflects the success of our strategic efforts to position Antigua as a leading cruise destination. It is an honor to welcome these magnificent vessels and the thousands of passengers who bring energy and vibrancy to our shores. This is just the beginning of what we can accomplish together.”
The Honorable Charles Fernandez, Minister for Tourism and Investment, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of the achievement for the nation’s tourism industry. He said “Today’s success underscores the strength and resilience of Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise tourism sector. I am proud of how our collective investments in infrastructure and service excellence are paying off. Antigua Cruise Port’s innovative approach and tireless dedication have helped solidify our standing as a sought-after destination. This achievement is not only a win for our tourism sector but also for the economic prosperity of our communities.”
Looking ahead to 2025, the Antigua Cruise Port plans to form new partnerships, welcome new visitors, and continue to play a major role in shaping the future of the cruise industry in the Caribbean.
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