Marella Explorer, AIDAsol and Celebrity Eclipse lit up the St. John’s Harbour Tuesday (photo by Antigua Cruise Port)
St. John’s Harbour was a spectacular scene on Tuesday as four major cruise vessels—Marella Explorer, AIDAsol, Celebrity Eclipse, and Norwegian Epic—docked at Antigua Cruise Port, injecting thousands of visitors and a wave of economic activity across the capital.
From early morning, the waterfront buzzed with excitement as each ship added its own unique presence to the skyline. Together, they created one of the most vibrant cruise days of the season.
The Marella Explorer, AIDAsol, and Celebrity Eclipse were the first to illuminate the harbour, drawing admiring glances from residents and visitors alike. Their arrival brought a steady stream of passengers eager to explore Antigua and Barbuda’s culture, cuisine, beaches, and shopping.
Later, the impressive Norwegian Epic towered over the pier, her sheer size and elegant design turning heads along the waterfront. The ship’s thousands of guests brought a significant boost of business to the city.
According to Antigua Cruise Port, the influx of visitors supported a wide cross-section of the local economy:
• Taxi and tour operators
• Craft and souvenir vendors
• Retail stores
• Restaurants and bars
• Excursion providers
• Beach facilities and entertainment services
From Heritage Quay to the city centre, the positive impact of cruise tourism was felt throughout the day.
Officials described Tuesday as a strong demonstration of the sector’s value to Antigua and Barbuda. With multiple ships in port, thousands of guests ventured across the island—booking tours, purchasing local goods, and engaging in cultural experiences.
Norwegian Epic towered over the St. John’s waterfront Tuesday (Photo by Antigua Cruise Port)
As the winter cruise season continues to gather momentum, Antigua and Barbuda can expect more days like this—filled with energy, opportunity, and the unmistakable buzz of a thriving tourism industry.
Tuesday’s four-ship call not only lit up the St. John’s harbour but also reaffirmed the importance of cruise visitors who help sustain hundreds of local livelihoods across the nation.
I hope the taxis and tour operators got enough passengers. Sometimes the big ships don’t translate to big earnings.
I just wish more of the money stayed in local hands. Still happy to see the island busy though.
I hope the visitors who embarked the ships spent some money in the country with bars and restaurants, taxi drivers, gift shops, etc…. Our economy can well with the injection of cash flow.
I can imagine dem haggish desperate taxi man and dem down Heritage Quay
Some of these people come here and they are so racist.
I hope all the numbers that arrive will.match the amount of returns to our poor vendors
Alot of people are returned visitors. It means they love the island.
Good for Antigua and Barbuda
Love seeing the harbour bustling again. Tourism really brings the island to life