Antigua and Barbuda saw a surge in visitor arrivals on Monday as four cruise ships brought more than 7,800 passengers to St John’s Harbour, boosting activity across the capital.

Figures from the Antigua Cruise Port show the largest vessel, Mein Schiff 2 , arrived with about 2,800 passengers, followed by AIDAsol with roughly 2,400. The Queen Elizabeth and Azamara Quest also docked, adding nearly 2,600 more visitors.

The influx led to increased trade for taxi drivers, tour operators, shop owners and restaurants, with businesses reporting a busy day.

Port officials said cruise tourism remains on an upward trend, with 98 cruise calls scheduled for December, exceeding last year’s total.

They added that the strong turnout highlights the country’s status as a key cruise destination in the Eastern Caribbean, where the sector continues to support employment and local businesses.