ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA SECURES INCREASED CRUISE CALLS AND STRATEGIC GROWTH AT SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) delegation led by CEO Colin C. James and including USA Senior Business Development Manager-Partnerships, Donyelle Bird-Browne, Canada Business Development Manager-Cruise Marketing Shamoi Richards and Antigua Port Authority CEO Darwin Telemaque, represented Antigua and Barbuda at Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, held April 13–16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Over a focused three-day schedule, the delegation engaged in 16 high-level meetings with major cruise partners including Carnival Cruise Lines, Carnival UK, Royal Caribbean Group, MSC Group, Disney Cruise Line, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, AIDA Cruises, Emerald Cruises, Sea Cloud Cruises, Star Clippers, Marella Cruises, and Oceanus.
CEO of the ABTA Colin C. James commented “The results that we are seeing signals strong forward momentum for Antigua and Barbuda which is supported by favourable satisfaction scores from our visiting cruise guests. Every industry partner that we engaged were excited at the recent port upgrades and the opportunities that our destination now presents for additional homeporting, LNG fuel capability, new tours and excursions, and the prospect of working closely with us to grow their business with Antigua and Barbuda.”
Antigua and Barbuda will see increased cruise calls across multiple lines, reinforcing its role as a key Eastern Caribbean port. Notably, MSC Group confirmed 12 calls in 2026, growing to 41 calls in 2027, including 13 calls from Explora Journeys, its luxury brand. The destination will also welcome a major milestone on December 7, 2026, with the maiden voyage and first revenue call of the MSC World Europa, bringing approximately 5,250 passengers to Antigua and Barbuda.
From Royal Caribbean Group, Antigua and Barbuda is projected to receive 112 calls in the next season, while Oceanus is set to deliver 52 calls annually, maintaining a weekly, year-round presence. Continued engagement with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection further strengthens the destination’s positioning within the high-value luxury cruise segment.
In addition to increased calls, several cruise partners are actively exploring homeporting opportunities, citing Antigua and Barbuda’s strong airlift connectivity, efficient port infrastructure, and ideal geographic positioning as key considerations. Cruise executives also confirmed strategic ship redeployments to capitalize on longer Southern Caribbean itineraries that include Antigua, reflecting growing demand for the destination within regional routing.
The Antigua and Barbuda appeal continues to be reinforced by consistently strong performance metrics. Guest satisfaction scores average 88/100, with friendliness and safety identified as leading drivers of positive visitor experiences – key factors influencing cruise line deployment decisions and repeat visitation.
With a bumper season of over one million projected cruise passengers for next season and more than four hundred annual calls, Antigua and Barbuda remains focused on a value-driven growth strategy, enhancing on-island experiences through its 365 beaches, and heritage, while placing a strong emphasis on sustainability and immersive experiential cultural activities.
With more than 11,500 attendees and 650 exhibitors, the conference served as a critical platform for Antigua and Barbuda to strengthen partnerships, quantify growth opportunities, and align with key industry drivers for the future of cruise, including AI integration, sustainability, and experiential travel. Seatrade is the largest annual gathering of cruise industry stakeholders, and the destinations presence provides an essential platform, for local cruise industry partners to grow their business. The Tourism Authority was joined at its stand with representatives from Rendezvous Antigua Tour Company, Bryson’s Shipping and Insurance, Tropical Adventures Antigua, PIR8 Beach Antigua, and Francis Trading Agency Ltd .
Regional collaboration remained a key highlight, with Antigua and Barbuda working alongside destination Montserrat, and other key public and private sector stakeholder partners to position the Eastern Caribbean as a cohesive, multi-destination experience appealing to both mass and luxury cruise segments.
Participation in Seatrade Cruise Global 2026 underscores the destination’s clear trajectory of more strategic calls, increased luxury presence, expanded homeporting potential, and sustained industry confidence in Antigua and Barbuda as a premier Caribbean cruise destination.
ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. The twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches – one for every day of the year. The largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108-square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua’s tourism events calendar includes the Antigua and Barbuda Wellness Month, Run in Paradise, prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week, Antigua and Barbuda Art Week and the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity hideaway. The island lies 27 miles north-east of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away. Barbuda is known for its untouched 11-mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere. Find more information on Antigua & Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com