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Basseterre, St. Kitts (April 9, 2015) – Just after St. Kitts’ participation in the Cruise Shipping Miami conference, newly elected Minister of Tourism the Hon. Lindsay Grant announced on Thursday (April 9^th)  that the twin island destination will receive calls from two of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels during the 2016 summer season, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.   Further, the destination will be receiving an increased overall number of port calls during summer 2016 from Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ vessels, reaching a record high number of total calls for during this period.

“With two Oasis-class ships contributing to an increase in total summer port calls from Royal Caribbean on the whole, the line will be bringing significantly more cruise passengers to our shores next year during what is typically the off-season for cruising in the Caribbean,” said Mr. Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce. “We anticipate that this will lead to an increase in the amount of money spent in our shops, restaurants, activity providers and other businesses and thereby boost St. Kitts’ local economy. I’m very grateful Royal Caribbean for their expanded partnership, which has been developing over the years.”

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships each have the capacity to carry a total of 5,400 passengers, which is roughly double the capacity of most cruise vessels. With St. Kitts receiving four calls from Oasis of the Seas and five from Allure of the Seas for summer 2016, these two ships alone have the potential to bring as many as 48,600 passengers over the period. In addition to receiving nine summer calls from Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, St. Kitts will also be receiving off-season port calls from Adventure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.

“Royal Caribbean is very proud to announce that both the world’s two largest and most innovative cruise ships, Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas, will call at the beautiful port of Basseterre, St. Kitts, during summer 2016.” stated Federico Gonzalez-Denton, Associate Vice President Government Relations LAC for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

In total, Royal Caribbean ships will be making 51 calls to St. Kitts in the 2016 five-month May to September summer low period, up from 25 calls for the same period in 2015 (a 104% increase). In terms of passengers carried, Royal Caribbean has the potential to bring 199,284 passenger to St. Kitts in summer 2016 as compared to 83,050 for the same period in 2015, more than double the amount (a 140% increase).

This year, St. Kitts will also be receiving six calls from Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas in its inaugural 2014/2015 season. It will also be receiving seven calls from the Anthem of the Seas in its inaugural 2015/2016 season.