- High-Volume Milestone: On December 23, 2025, the port managed over 12,000 passengers and five major cruise ships in a single day
- Diverse Vessel Mix: The port hosted a variety of ships ranging from the massive Norwegian Epic to the luxury yacht Ilma
- Economic Impact: Global Ports Holding noted that these calls generate significant economic activity for local businesses and the tourism sector
- Future Records: The port anticipates breaking its own record on January 23, 2026 with an expected arrival of over 17,000 passengers
Antigua Cruise Port reached a significant operational milestone on December 23, 2025, when it successfully hosted over 12,000 guests across five separate vessels in St. John’s. The lineup of visiting ships included the Marella Discovery 2, Valiant Lady, Celebrity Eclipse, Norwegian Epic, and the Ilma from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. A sixth vessel, the Emerald Sakara, docked at the nearby Falmouth port on the same day. Among these, the Norwegian Epic stood out as the largest ship, capable of carrying 4,200 passengers, while the Ilma highlighted the port’s ability to cater to smaller, luxury yacht experiences.
Global Ports Holding, the operator responsible for the port, cited this successful day as proof of Antigua’s capacity to manage effective coordination during periods of peak activity. The operator emphasized that such high volumes of traffic bring significant economic vitality to the capital and surrounding communities by supporting local businesses and the broader tourism ecosystem. The port is currently preparing for an even busier day on January 23, 2026, when it expects to welcome a record-breaking 17,000 cruise passengers.
This projected growth reflects the destination’s strengthening status as a key hub in the Caribbean cruise market. In addition to the main facilities in Antigua and Falmouth, the nation also utilizes ports in Barbuda to accommodate smaller vessels, ensuring a wide range of accessibility for major brands like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and MSC.
