Cruise lines increase their bet on the Caribbean

During this year, cruise arrivals in the Caribbean have skyrocketed with 37 lines up from 33 pre-covid and are forecast to continue to grow from the fall of 2024 through the spring of 2025.

While traditional brands such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Scenic and MSC have put several of their ships in the Caribbean, new ones such as Margaritaville at Sea, Virgin Voyages, Explora Journeys and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, as well as Windstar Cruises, Regent Seven Seas and Princess Cruises have also entered.

From 2022 to so far in 2023, cruise capacity in the Caribbean grew 11.2%. This year it is expected to surpass 2019 levels by 6.8%, according to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), so reports Travel Weekly.

Adam Ceserano, president of the FCCA, noted that the Caribbean “is for year-round experiences.” Katina Athanasiou, Celebrity’s senior vice president of sales and services, noted that the Caribbean has seen increased demand.

Albino di Lorenzo, senior vice president of port operations and government relations for MSC Cruises of the United States, said that many of their clients want the sun, warmth and beauty of the Caribbean and the Bahamas.