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October 1st, 2024, marks the official start of the tourism season in St. Kitts and Nevis, but the scene at Port Zante is alarming—no cruise ships are docked, and none are expected until October 8th. With only 10 cruise calls scheduled by the end of October, this is a dismal contrast to the 20-plus calls made in October 2019, including two on October 1st and 2nd.

Stakeholders are already expressing deep concern over this sluggish start to the 2024/25 season, following years of dwindling cruise arrivals. Since 2022, the federation has seen a significant reduction in cruise ship calls, including the cancellation of over 70 calls ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Despite numerous overseas trips and engagements by Minister of Tourism Hon. Marsha Henderson, aimed at boosting cruise arrivals, the numbers have failed to return to the record 1 million passenger season of 2018 and 2019. As the tourism season kicks off with empty ports, many are questioning the effectiveness of current strategies and are worried about the continued decline in cruise visitors, a vital lifeline for the local economy.