Over the past weekend, Antigua and Barbuda welcomed an influx of over 20,000 cruise passengers and crew members, thanks to the arrival of eight cruise ships.

The surge in visitors occurred from Friday to Sunday, showcasing the islands as a vibrant destination in the Caribbean.

One of the highlights was the inaugural arrival of the Iona from P&O Lines on Friday, which sailed into St. John’s Harbour under the guidance of Captain Martin Allen.

With a capacity of 6,612 people, the Iona is celebrated as the sister ship of the Arvia, which has a regular home porting schedule in Antigua every two weeks.

Local representatives, including Francis Anthena Richardson from Delisle, Walwyn, and Elijah James from the Antigua Cruise Port, warmly welcomed the passengers aboard the ship—a testament to the island’s hospitality and dedication to enhancing the visitor experience.

Captain Martin Allen and Elijah James

Captain Allen expressed appreciation for the noticeable improvements in the harbor facilities over the years, crediting the local authorities for their continuous efforts to upgrade the services. Although the Iona is scheduled for only this single visit in the current year, there are exciting plans for more arrivals in the 2025-26 cruise season.

In addition to the Iona, Friday saw the arrival of three other vessels, including the iconic Queen Mary, which opted to use ferries to transport its 3,694 guests to shore.

The Celebrity Cruises’ Beyond followed closely with around 3,600 travelers, while the Explorer added 1,200 to the growing number of visitors that day.

Saturday continued the trend with the Odyssey of the Seas docking at the harbor, alongside Marella Explorer 2, which brought an impressive 2,276 guests. The weekend wrapped up on Sunday with two additional ships: Mein Schiff 2, welcoming a total of 3,863 visitors, and Viking Sea, with 1,370 guests on board.

The weekend’s cruise activity highlights the islands’ strategic position within the cruise industry and promises an exciting future with more ships on the horizon, reinforcing Antigua and Barbuda’s reputation as a sought-after port of call in the Caribbean.