Historic Five-Ship Day Inaugurates Season
Philipsburg, Sint Maarten – The 2025-2026 cruise season in St. Maarten officially commenced on Thursday, November 6, 2025, with a landmark arrival of five cruise ships at Port St. Maarten. This simultaneous docking event brought thousands of visitors to the island, signaling a robust recovery and renewed confidence in the destination's tourism sector. The vessels that graced the port on opening day included the Azamara Quest, Star Pride, Valiant Lady, Star of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas.
A Milestone for Tourism Revival and Economic Impact
The launch of the cruise season is being hailed as a significant milestone for St. Maarten's tourism industry, following years of regional challenges and transformation. Port officials view this as a turning point, indicating a period of renewed growth. The influx of cruise passengers is expected to provide a substantial boost to the local economy, benefiting various sectors across the island.
- Taxi drivers and tour operators anticipate increased business.
- Restaurants and shops are set to welcome a surge in customers.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are expected to see vital revenue growth.
Port St. Maarten Group Chief Executive Officer, Alexander Gumbs, emphasized the broader significance of the season, stating, 'The port has done its part in securing the business; now, let us all do our part in delivering the service that justifies our reputation as the premier leading Caribbean port destination.' He further highlighted that St. Maarten is not merely welcoming ships, but 'an essential engine of our local economy.'
Future Projections and Continued Growth
St. Maarten is projecting an ambitious target of over 1.5 million cruise passengers for 2025, underscoring the island's strong position in the Caribbean cruise market. This forecast is supported by recent data showing a 14% increase in cruise arrivals during the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with 236,391 passengers recorded. The port has also invested in infrastructure upgrades, including terminal expansions and technological improvements, to enhance the passenger experience and maintain competitiveness.
The momentum is set to continue with additional high-volume days planned. Another five-ship day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2025, coinciding with St. Maarten's National Day, and will include ships such as Britannia, Mein Schiff 2, Celebrity Reflection, Caribbean Princess, and Icon of the Seas. The first six-ship day of the season is slated for Tuesday, November 25, 2025, featuring Britannia, Mein Schiff 2, Icon of the Seas, Renaissance, Carnival Magic, and Carnival Vista.
5 Comments
Bella Ciao
Port officials doing a great job securing this business. Future looks bright!
Muchacha
Traffic will be unbearable. This isn't sustainable for residents.
Bermudez
Seeing the port secure so much business is a testament to their hard work, and the benefits to taxi drivers and shops are clear. But I hope there are robust plans in place to manage waste and ensure the island's beauty isn't compromised by over-tourism.
Africa
Fantastic news for St. Maarten! So many jobs and businesses will benefit.
Habibi
This level of tourism just leads to overcrowding. Locals get priced out.