St. Kitts marked a historic milestone in its tourism development with the official groundbreaking ceremony for a new cruise terminal at Port Zante, Basseterre.
*All details correct at time of publish (13 July 2026)
The ceremony brought together government officials, tourism stakeholders, industry partners and members of the media to celebrate the commencement of a transformative project that will position St. Kitts and Nevis as a premier cruise turnaround port in the Caribbean with the ultimate goal of offering full homeport services.
Earlier this year (March 2026) the Ministry of Tourism announced that, beginning in November 2027, the destination will begin providing turnaround operations for P&O Cruises, marking a significant expansion of the country’s cruise offering.
Two P&O Cruises ships, Iona and Arvia, will sail Caribbean itineraries that start and end in St. Kitts, commencing November 2027. St. Kitts (Basseterre) will be an additional turnaround port for Iona, marking an exciting evolution of P&O Cruises’ Caribbean fly/cruise programme.
Carnival UK and P&O Cruises President Paul Ludlow said: “We are delighted to see this significant investment in St Kitts’ new cruise terminal at Port Zante, our additional turnaround port for Iona and Arvia from autumn 2027.
“This milestone reinforces the destination’s growing importance within the Caribbean cruise sector and its commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our guests.”
For many years, St. Kitts has benefited from the economic impact of cruise tourism. Millions of visitors have stepped ashore at Port Zante, supporting local businesses, creating employment opportunities, and contributing significantly to national development.
The new terminal represents the next phase in the destination’s evolution, creating new opportunities for increased visitor spending, overnight stays, enhanced airlift and broader economic benefits for the Federation.
The facility is a key component of the Government’s strategy to build resilience within the cruise tourism sector. Upon completion, the terminal will feature state-of-the-art security screening and immigration systems designed to facilitate the seamless processing of guests embarking and disembarking in St. Kitts.
The development also supports the continued growth of the sector, with the destination already welcoming more than 950,000 cruise passengers this season.
The groundbreaking is the culmination of months of planning, coordination, and collaboration led by the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA), the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), and the Homeporting Steering Committee, chaired by Mrs. Melnecia Marshall, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority.
Working alongside Baley Project Management and Construction Inc., technical advisors, architects, government agencies, finance advisors, and industry partners, the Committee has guided the project from concept to current construction.
Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, said the development reflects the Government’s unwavering commitment to advancing its Sustainable Island State Agenda.
“This investment in the cruise terminal will drive economic impact felt across every corner of our tourism industry; regardless of your job,” Dr. Drew said. “It also advances our vision for a Sustainable Island State: a nation resilient enough, and diversified enough, to not just survive whatever comes our way, but to thrive.”
Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Marsha T. Henderson, highlighted the significance of the milestone and the collaborative effort that made it possible.
“This groundbreaking represents months of dedication, finally taking physical shape. This project did not begin with the turning of the sod. It began with dialogue, trust and relationships that have been carefully cultivated over many years. It reflects the collective efforts of the Government, our public sector agencies, technical experts, financial advisors, and private sector partners, all working toward a common goal: advancing the future of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“The ceremony represents our determination to invest in infrastructure that strengthens our economy, creates new opportunities for our people, and enhances the competitiveness of St. Kitts and Nevis within the global cruise industry.”
Once operational, the terminal will enhance the visitor experience, improve operational efficiencies, and further establish St. Kitts and Nevis as a leading cruise turnaround port in the Caribbean.
St. Kitts can be easily reached from London Gatwick via twice-weekly, direct flights with British Airways.
For more information about St. Kitts, go to www.visitstkitts.com.
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