St. John’s, Antigua, November 16, 2024 — Antigua & Barbuda solidified its position as a premier Caribbean cruise destination today with the arrival of P&O Cruises’ Arvia, marking the official start of the 2024/2025 homeporting season at Antigua Cruise Port. The ship docked at 06:15 hrs., ushering in a season brimming with excitement and expectations for record-breaking numbers.This season, Arvia will homeport at Antigua Cruise Port, handling more than 19,000 passengers, underscoring the port’s commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences. Since launching its homeporting operations two years ago, Antigua Cruise Port has experienced an extraordinary 150% growth in homeporting passenger numbers, reflecting both the strategic vision of the port team and the island's growing popularity among international travelers.
In addition to Arvia, the luxury cruise ship SeaDream II has begun its third homeporting season in Antigua. Known for its exclusive, intimate cruise experiences, SeaDream II’s return highlights Antigua’s versatility as a homeport, offering tailored experiences for both large cruise liners and boutique vessels alike.
Gasper George, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port, celebrated the achievement, stating:
“Today is a historic day for Antigua Cruise Port and the people of Antigua and Barbuda. Arvia’s and SeaDream II's return for a third season symbolizes our immense progress in establishing Antigua as a homeporting destination in the region. With over 19,000 passengers expected this season, this accomplishment reflects the hard work of our team, the collaboration of our stakeholders, and the unmatched appeal of our beautiful island. Antigua Cruise Port remains committed to enhancing the cruise experience, driving economic impact, and delivering excellence in every aspect of our operations."
Both SeaDream II and Arvia passengers are set to enjoy a seamless and welcoming cruise departure, benefiting from the upgraded facilities at Heritage Quay and the warm hospitality for which Antigua is renowned. Homeporting operations not only enhance the cruise experience but also create significant economic opportunities for local businesses, tour operators, and artisans, contributing to the island’s broader tourism economy.
Honorable Charles Fernandez, Minister for Tourism, Investments, and Civil Aviation, expressed pride in the achievement, saying:
"The start of the 2024/2025 homeporting season with both cruise lines is a proud moment for Antigua and Barbuda. This achievement speaks to our country’s strategic investments in infrastructure, tourism, and partnerships with the lines. The success of Antigua Cruise Port highlights the value of collaboration and shared vision in achieving sustainable growth. Homeporting operations significantly boost our local economy, benefiting a wide range of businesses and creating opportunities for our people. Antigua remains committed to raising the bar in cruise tourism and delivering exceptional experiences to our visitors."
As Arvia sets sail and SeaDream II embarks on its third season, Antigua Cruise Port looks forward to welcoming even more visitors and continuing to strengthen Antigua’s reputation as a world-class cruise destination.
ABOUT ANTIGUA CRUISE PORT
Located İn St. John’s harbor, Antigua Cruise Port is the gateway to the city, serving over 800,000 passengers annually. The port is being redeveloped under the Antigua Cruise Port Development Project through a 30-year lease agreement between the Government of Antigua & Barbuda and Global Ports Holding. In late 2020, Antigua Cruise Port completed construction of its fifth berth, a 700 ft. pier that can accommodate the biggest ships in the industry, making it possible for the port to serve as many as one million passengers per year. The new port will also have brand-new retail and food and beverage facilities, and commercial space to be leased to local entrepreneurs.
