TORONTO — Antigua and Barbuda is targeting 1 million cruise passenger arrivals in 2027 as major cruise lines plan significant increases in calls to the destination.

The outlook follows meetings between a delegation led by Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism, Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez, and executives from more than a dozen cruise lines at the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) 32nd Annual Conference, held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Oct. 12–16.

The delegation also included Colin C. James, Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), and other tourism officials. Discussions focused on the destination’s cruise tourism investments, new visitor experiences and plans for future growth.

CRUISE LINES PLAN MORE CALLS

Norwegian Cruise Line outlined plans for approximately 16 calls in the 2027–28 season. Across Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Antigua and Barbuda anticipates at least 28 calls, compared with two from Norwegian Cruise Line’s mainline in the current winter season.

MSC Cruises confirmed that MSC World Europa will make its inaugural call on Dec. 7, 2026. With capacity for more than 6,700 guests, it will be the largest vessel ever to dock in Antigua and the first ship exceeding 200,000 gross tonnes to berth in St. John’s. MSC Opera will also make alternate-Saturday calls throughout the year through 2029.

Carnival Cruise Line confirmed 14 calls for winter 2026–27, up from four the previous winter, following positive guest feedback.

P&O Cruises said Britannia will conduct its first one-off turnaround operation in Antigua. Homeporting calls will also double to weekly operations from November 2027, with Arvia and sister ship Iona alternating visits throughout the season.

Royal Caribbean Group confirmed 110 planned calls across its Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises brands for 2027–28, a significant increase over the current season.

NEW PORT EXPERIENCES

Enhancements for the 2026–27 winter season include upscale retail stores, a day club with a pool and bar, and mobile visitor information kiosks at the port of St. John’s. The kiosks will provide information to disembarking passengers, including those with disabilities.

The destination also highlighted the imminent availability of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for newer ships, which could help attract more U.S.-based vessels.

Minister Fernandez said investments in port facilities and visitor experiences, along with relationships with cruise line partners, are creating economic opportunities for local communities.

“The recent investment in our country’s cruise port facilities to accommodate larger ships, the US$30 million upland investment, our award-winning and distinctive visitor experiences, along with the strong relationships we have cultivated with our cruise line partners, have been bearing fruit, generating greater economic opportunities for the thousands of Antiguans and Barbudans who depend on the cruise industry.

“It is precisely because of this continued growth that we will move forward with a comprehensive cruise tourism capacity study to better understand our destination’s carrying capacity, guide future development, safeguard the quality of our visitor experiences, and ensure that the economic benefits of this expanding industry remain sustainable and far-reaching for our people”, said the tourism minister.

ONE MILLION CRUISE GUESTS IN SIGHT

James said Antigua and Barbuda expects cruise growth to continue into 2027, with a record number of ship calls forecast for this year.

“With global cruise passenger numbers projected to climb from about 37 million in 2025 to 46 million by 2031, Antigua and Barbuda must constantly ensure that we remain well positioned to benefit from the industry’s continued expansion. Antigua and Barbuda is expected to see a record breaking 483 cruise ship calls this year up from 436 in 2025 which will see some 894,469 cruise guests visiting our shores, with the destination well on target to achieve a 1 million cruise guest arrivals record in 2027”, said James.

Lead image caption: The Antigua and Barbuda delegation, including Minister of Tourism Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez (2nd from right) and Colin C. James, Chief Executive Officer (2nd from left) at the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association’s 32nd Annual Conference