St. Kitts and Nevis surpasses 1 million cruise passengers since pandemic

St. Kitts & Nevis: The Federation has passed the one-million cruise passenger mark again as it welcomed 1,002,282 passengers as of August 20, 2026. This is a major recovery for the country after the pandemic disrupted cruise tourism. 

This achievement comes as the country continues efforts in order to strengthen its cruise partnerships, improve the visitor experience and increase the benefits of tourism for local businesses and workers.

Minister of Tourism Marsha T. Henderson said that this milestone reflects the renewed confidence of cruise partners and the recovery of the tourism sector.

She said that this represents “renewed confidence in our destination, the strength of the partnerships we have rebuilt, and the resilience of our tourism industry and our people.”

Ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Tourism, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, the Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority, the St. Kitts Urban Development Corporation, the Frigate Bay Corporation, other government agencies and tourism stakeholders have resulted in this achievement. 

Prime Minister Terrance Drew said in a social media post, “I extend sincere congratulations to Minister of Tourism, Hon. Marsha Henderson, her team at the Ministry of Tourism, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, and all of our tourism stakeholders whose hard work and commitment continue to drive the sector forward.”

The return to the one-million mark also brings economic benefits for the Federation. Cruise tourism supports businesses and workers in areas including transportation, hospitality, retail, agriculture and entertainment, while also creating opportunities for taxi operators, vendors, artisans, restaurants and tour operators.

St. Kitts & Nevis have crossed the one-million cruise passenger mark before the pandemic. The destination reached the figure for the first time on July 16, 2018, during the 2017/2018 cruise season. It then reached the figure in 2019, which was the last time this happened, before the pandemic.

The 2026 milestone brings St. Kitts & Nevis back above one million cruise passengers after the disruption caused by the pandemic.

St. Kitts is also preparing for changes in its cruise sector. P&O Cruises is scheduled to begin turnaround operations in November 2027, which allow passengers to begin and end cruises in St. Kitts rather than visiting only as a port of call.

The Federation is also working with Celebrity Cruise on a planned Sugarmas experience in January 2027, along with cultural workshops for passengers before the ship arrives in St. Kitts.

Beyond cruise tourism, the government is also planning to increase stayover arrivals and reduce seasonal changes in visitor numbers . The approach includes work in trade, consumer outreach, and public relations, alongside investment in airlift, infrastructure, tourism products and visitor experiences.

St. Kitts is scheduled to host the American Society of Travel Advisors Caribbean Showcase from August 22 to 25, which would give travel professionals an opportunity to experience the destination.