As Caribbean cruise capacity grows, St. Maarten will face rising competition

GREAT BAY--A 10 percent year-over-year increase in Caribbean cruise capacity during the upcoming winter season is expected to intensify competition throughout the region, presenting St. Maarten with an opportunity to attract more visitors while increasing the need to protect its position as a leading port of call.

Travel Weekly reported that the rise in fourth-quarter capacity follows an 8 percent increase during the previous winter season. Industry analysts believe the additional supply could lead cruise lines to reduce prices as they compete to fill cabins, potentially making Caribbean vacations more accessible to a wider group of travelers.

Cruise Planners reported that the average price for fourth-quarter Caribbean cruises was already approximately 2 percent lower than a year earlier. Industry observers said the decline was modest but indicated that cruise lines may need to take further pricing action to fill available cabins.

For St. Maarten, more competitively priced cruises could support higher passenger volumes across the Caribbean and create additional opportunities for local taxi drivers, tour operators, restaurants, retailers, watersports operators and other tourism businesses.

However, the increase in regional capacity also means that Caribbean destinations will face stronger competition for inclusion on cruise itineraries and for the spending of passengers once ships arrive.

Among the vessels contributing to the expanded capacity are Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas, with room for more than 7,000 passengers, and MSC World Europa, with a maximum occupancy of 6,762. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings also increased its Caribbean capacity after repositioning ships from Europe.

St. Maarten is well positioned to accommodate the industry’s largest vessels. Port St. Maarten says it moves more than 1.8 million passengers annually, while its second pier can simultaneously accommodate two ships weighing more than 220,000 gross tons each.

The destination also benefits from direct access to Philipsburg, beaches, shopping, tours and transportation services. Cruise passengers can reach Philipsburg on foot or by water taxi, while taxis, buses and excursion operators are available directly from the terminal.

The country’s ability to serve different segments of the cruise market was demonstrated during the 2025-2026 season, when St. Maarten welcomed inaugural calls from vessels representing major contemporary, premium and international cruise operators. Port St. Maarten said these visits reflected the destination’s ability to handle large passenger volumes while meeting the expectations of higher-yield and international markets.

The regional competition is also changing as cruise companies invest more heavily in their privately controlled destinations.

Travel Weekly reported that Norwegian Cruise Line is preparing to open the Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay, while Carnival has expanded Celebration Key to accommodate four ships simultaneously and redesigned its Half Moon Cay destination. These developments add to Royal Caribbean’s established private-island attractions at CocoCay.

For St. Maarten, these investments suggest that competition is no longer limited to other traditional Caribbean ports. Cruise line-owned destinations are increasingly being developed as major attractions within itineraries, giving companies greater control over the passenger experience and the revenue generated ashore.

St. Maarten’s response must therefore extend beyond receiving ships efficiently. The country must continue improving the complete visitor experience, including transportation, cleanliness, safety, customer service, excursion quality, traffic management and the range of authentic local products available to passengers.

The increase in cruise capacity is positive for the region, but the economic benefits for St. Maarten will depend on how successfully the destination converts passenger arrivals into meaningful activity throughout the country.

Maintaining strong relationships with cruise lines, developing distinctive shore experiences and ensuring that visitors receive consistent service will be critical as Caribbean destinations compete for both ships and passenger spending during the winter season.

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