St. Kitts cruise arrivals pass one million in 2026
The milestone comes as the island prepares for new cruise partnerships, turnaround operations and a travel advisor event.
St. Kitts recorded 1,002,282 cruise passenger arrivals by Aug. 20, 2026, passing the one-million threshold for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The island had previously welcomed 748,056 cruise passengers between October 2024 and April 2025.
The government has also been working to expand local involvement in the sector. In August 2024, it launched the Tour Development Programme with the aim of increasing local participation.
Several cruise initiatives are planned for 2027. St. Kitts is preparing to partner with Celebrity Cruises on a Sugarmas-themed sailing scheduled to begin in January 2027. P&O Cruises is also expected to return to the Federation for turnaround operations starting in November 2027.
Before those cruise programs begin, St. Kitts is due to host the American Society of Travel Advisors Caribbean Showcase from Aug. 22 to Aug. 25, 2026. The event is intended to position the Federation as a destination and give ASTA members firsthand insight into its tourism offering.