Antigua and Barbuda welcomed the New Year with a bustling cruise schedule, as more than 14,500 passengers arrived across the country’s ports on New Year’s Day, marking an energetic and confident start to 2026 for the tourism sector.

St. John’s Harbour led the activity, receiving four major cruise vessels, Costa Fascinosa, MSC Virtuosa, Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas, and Amera. The ships delivered a combined total of 14,387 passengers into the capital, injecting immediate life into the city’s streets, shops, tour operations, and taxi services.

Cruise arrivals were not limited to the capital. Barbuda recorded the arrival of 32 passengers aboard Le Ponant, while Star Flyer called at Falmouth with 126 passengers, highlighting the destination-wide reach of Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise product and the growing appeal of its multiple ports.

General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port, Gasper George, welcomed the strong start to the year, describing it as a positive signal for the remainder of the 2025/2026 cruise season.

​“There is something special about celebrating the New Year with our ports alive and our destination in motion,” said Mr. George. “This strong start reflects the continued interest cruise lines have placed in Antigua and Barbuda, as well as the collective effort behind the scenes to deliver welcoming experiences. Even more promising, higher-volume cruise days – some exceeding 17,000 passengers – are expected as the 2025/2026 season progresses, already showing signs of record-breaking momentum.”

According to George, the outlook for the months ahead is particularly promising, with several high-volume cruise days already scheduled, some expected to bring more than 17,000 passengers ashore. These projections point to the possibility of a record-breaking season.

Antigua Cruise Port extended New Year greetings to its cruise line partners, stakeholders, and the communities that support the industry. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining safe, efficient, and guest-focused operations, while continuing to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s reputation as a reliable and attractive cruise destination in the Caribbean.