On Saturday, December 28, Antigua Cruise Port celebrated welcoming four cruise ships and over 13,000 passengers as it prepared to break its annual passenger record.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua--During the last week of December, Antigua Cruise Port reached a significant annual milestone, welcoming four vessels and a remarkable 13,312 passengers as it approached a record-breaking year, according to a press release from the cruise port.
As of Saturday, December 28, the port had recorded 570 cruise ship calls and 825,526 passengers for the year, compared to 446 cruise ship calls and 670,234 passengers in 2023, reflecting an extraordinary year-to-date increase. These figures represent a 27% increase in ship calls and a 23% increase in passenger arrivals year-over-year. The port's overall performance underscores the increasing demand for Antigua as a key stop in the Caribbean, the release states.
Among the ships docked at the port last week Saturday were the “Norwegian Gem” and “Norwegian Breakaway” from Norwegian Cruise Line, “Arvia” from P&O Cruises, and the elegant “Emerald Azzurra”. Notably, “Arvia” and “Emerald Azzurra” were home-porting at Heritage Quay, further solidifying Antigua’s growing reputation as a premier home port, according to the release.
Gasper George, General Manager, expressed his excitement at the day’s events, stating: “Today [Saturday, December 28 – Ed.] is a shining example of what teamwork, vision and dedication can achieve. 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 honour 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.”
Charles Fernandez, Minister for Tourism and Investment, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of the achievement for the nation's tourism industry. “Today’s [last week Saturday’s] success underscores the strength and resilience of Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise tourism sector,” said Fernandez. “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.”
As we celebrate this record-breaking year, we remain committed to excellence and look ahead with even greater ambitions for 2025. With plans to welcome more visitors, form new partnerships and continue delivering unforgettable experiences, Antigua Cruise Port is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of the Caribbean cruise industry, the release concludes.
