The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has achieved a remarkable tourism milestone during the peak winter season, welcoming an unprecedented 58,000 cruise passengers within a single week from January 18-24, 2026. This substantial influx represents one of the most successful periods in the nation’s 2025-2026 cruise season.
Tourism officials confirmed that Port Zante in Basseterre, the capital city, accommodated 20 cruise vessels during this record-breaking period, with additional ships docking at the Basseterre Roadstead and Carambola facilities. The massive visitor volume generated significant economic benefits across multiple sectors, particularly enhancing revenue for taxi operators, hoteliers, tour guides, local vendors, artisans, and craft store proprietors.
Marine-based excursion services reported particularly strong performance as passengers enthusiastically engaged with the islands’ cultural offerings and natural landscapes. Tourism authorities attribute this success to strengthened collaborations with cruise industry partners and stakeholders, focused on enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Despite the absence of inaugural calls from major cruise lines during this period, St. Kitts and Nevis demonstrated its growing prominence as a premier Caribbean destination. The momentum continued beyond this record week with the arrival of Queen Victoria on January 26th, which made Port Zante a scheduled stop during its 35-night Eastern Caribbean voyage originating from Southampton, England.
With approximately 20 additional cruise ship arrivals anticipated before the season concludes, tourism officials express confidence in sustained growth. The current positive trajectory of cruise traffic during the peak winter months suggests promising prospects for future seasons, reinforcing the islands’ strategic position in the competitive Caribbean tourism market.