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St. Kitts Cruise Tourism: From Historic Heights to New Challenges

St. Kitts and Nevis celebrated a major milestone in cruise tourism in the 2018-2019 season, when it welcomed over 1 million cruise passengers on 517 cruise calls—a remarkable achievement credited to then-Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Timothy Harris and Minister of Tourism Lindsay Grant. However, projections for the current 2024-2025 cruise season show a significant shift. Under the administration of Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Terrance Drew and Minister of Tourism Hon. Marsha Henderson, the number of cruise calls is expected to decline to 391, marking a notable decrease from pre-COVID levels.

This anticipated decline reflects both global challenges and changing dynamics in the cruise industry, as St. Kitts seeks to adapt to post-pandemic realities and a competitive regional market.

Cruise Season Overview: 2018-2019 vs. 2024-2025

Cruise Season	Administration	Tourism Minister	Cruise Calls	Passenger Count
2018-2019	Dr. Hon. Timothy Harris	Hon. Lindsay Grant	517	1,000,000+
2024-2025	Dr. Hon. Terrance Drew	Hon. Marsha Henderson	391 (Projected)	TBD

In the 2018-2019 cruise season, St. Kitts and Nevis hit an all-time high for cruise arrivals, bringing in over a million visitors on 517 calls. The substantial cruise traffic was instrumental in strengthening the local economy, supporting jobs, and increasing visibility for the island as a premier Caribbean cruise destination.

Projections for the 2024-2025 season indicate a decline to 391 calls, marking a roughly 24% decrease from the 2019 pre-pandemic peak. The current administration and Ministry of Tourism are focusing on strategic partnerships and enhanced port infrastructure to attract new cruise lines and restore numbers closer to previous levels.

Future Prospects

The tourism industry in St. Kitts and Nevis is resilient, with officials continuously exploring opportunities to re-establish the nation as a top choice for cruise lines. With a post-COVID world requiring adaptive strategies, the Ministry of Tourism remains committed to reinvigorating cruise tourism while prioritizing sustainable growth and development across the sector.

As St. Kitts navigates these new dynamics, the nation looks to innovative solutions and partnerships to return to its historic cruise success.