Royal Caribbean and Port St. Maarten’s Management had discussions this past week about adding more cruise ship visits to the Caribbean’s most popular cruise port.
Royal Caribbean will actually have fewer ship visits to St. Maarten in 2020. This is due to the cruise line’s deployment adjustments to other regions of the world.
Port St. Maarten is planning an expansion of Pier 2 that would increase berthing space for more cruise ships. The expansion is needed due to nearly 100 new cruise ship builds over the next decade.
When Royal Caribbean executives were told about the expansion to Pier 2, they said that they were looking forward to adding more ship visits to St. Maarten over the long term.
The Caribbean is the most popular cruise destination in the world with more than one-third of cruises visiting the region.
Royal Caribbean executives gave the following statement about cruise ships visits to St. Maarten: “We reiterated our strong partnership with Port St. Maarten in our discussions this morning, and we are looking forward to adding additional vessels to the destination over the mid-to long-term. We continue to introduce a new era of cruising and Port St. Maarten is part of that.
“Royal Caribbean is known for its innovation and constantly pushes the boundaries of what’s possible as we redefine the ultimate vacation. St. Maarten will continue to be part of our ship deployment strategies especially being a key partner in the North Eastern Caribbean.”
The meeting between Royal Caribbean and Port St. Maarten Management took place at the 26th Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Cruise Conference and Trade Show.
