Tourism officials have concluded talks with two different vessels that will be homeporting in Antigua and Barbuda at the start of the new year.

P & O Cruise’s newest vessel Arvia will begin partial homeporting here in January offering a Caribbean maiden of fly/cruise journeys from January to March 2023.

Two luxury yachts (YOTS), Switzerland-based Emerald Cruises and Emerald Sakata will also begin transit calls on both Antigua and Barbuda in January 2023.

General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port Dona Regis Prosper said 2023 will signal a big year for Antigua and Barbuda

“This is a result of two years of negotiations and discussions with various cruise lines. We will start the year with operations from Carnival Arvia. She will start homeporting passengers in January 2023. Later that same year, in November, we start a weekly home porting operation every Saturday for the luxury yacht,” she said.

The collaboration, according to Regis-Prosper, will give Antigua and Barbuda a huge advantage when promoting the destination as a luxury cruise partner.

“Home porting offers a greater opportunity for more persons to participate in the industry. I marry the stay over the business with the cruise business…, she said

She said there is also the other model where people will spend time at the hotels before they embark on the cruise, allowing the hotel sector to benefit.

“This is going to be the home for the cruise ships for some time so everything that the cruise ship would need from water, food, fuel, and other supplies will also be bought in the destination,” she said.

The cruise season officially opens next month.