Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise tourism sector has reached a notable new milestone, with Antigua Cruise Port (ACP) earning a nomination for Caribbean’s Best Cruise Terminal at the 2026 World Cruise Awards, and the twin-island nation picking up a second nod for Caribbean’s Best Cruise Destination 2026. This dual recognition arrives as the country wraps up years of targeted upgrades to its cruise offerings, marking a key milestone in its ongoing transformation into a leading regional cruise hub.
The nominations are the direct outcome of a multi-year public-private partnership between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Global Ports Holding (GPH), which has poured strategic investment into expanding port infrastructure and elevating the overall visitor experience. Since GPH took over port operations in 2019, ACP has steadily boosted the destination’s overall capacity and competitive standing in the fast-growing Caribbean cruise market.
Core infrastructure upgrades include the construction of a fifth berth, a game-changing expansion that allows the port to accommodate the world’s largest modern cruise vessels, which were previously unable to dock at the facility. Complementing this marine expansion is the ongoing Upland Development Project, a wide-ranging initiative to improve landside visitor amenities that is on track to wrap up by fall 2026.
A landmark achievement came earlier this year in January 2026, when ACP officially unveiled its custom-built new cruise terminal. Spanning more than 10,000 square feet, the purpose-built facility adds dedicated space for streamlined passenger processing and turnaround operations, directly supporting the country’s long-term goal of establishing Antigua and Barbuda as a premier homeporting gateway in the Caribbean. Homeporting allows cruise lines to base their operations out of a destination, bringing greater economic benefits through longer visitor stays and increased local spending.
In comments on the nomination, Gasper George, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port, emphasized that the honor extends far beyond new concrete and expanded facilities. “This nomination represents more than the physical infrastructure at the port,” George explained. “It recognizes an evolving cruise experience supported by the people who bring it to life every day – from the Antigua Cruise Port team to taxi drivers, tour guides, vendors, merchants, restaurants, attractions and other tourism partners across the country.”
The dual nomination for both the port and the broader destination highlights the full value chain of Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise offering: it celebrates both the world-class gateway that welcomes hundreds of thousands of cruise visitors annually, and the one-of-a-kind experiences that await visitors once they step ashore. From powdery white-sand beaches and centuries of rich cultural history to vibrant local cuisine and the famously warm hospitality of the islands’ residents, every element of the visitor journey has been recognized by the World Cruise Awards nominations.
Public voting for the awards closes on Friday, August 21, 2026. Port leaders are encouraging anyone who has visited Antigua Cruise Port or experienced the destination’s cruise offerings to cast a vote online to support the country’s ongoing work to grow its tourism sector and raise the bar for service quality. “We encourage all who have experienced Antigua Cruise Port to show their support in our commitment to growth and service, as we continue to elevate the destination and cruise tourism product,” the ACP team said. “Let’s show the world why Antigua and Barbuda deserves to be recognized among the Caribbean’s very best.”