Seven Carnival Cruise Lines expected in Bonaire as company forecasts double-digit growth

GREAT BAY--Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company, is projecting double-digit growth in cruise capacity to Bonaire between 2025 and 2027, with seven of its cruise lines scheduled to visit the Dutch Caribbean island next year. The announcement signals an expanded presence for the company in the southern Caribbean and presents additional opportunities for Bonaire's tourism industry, particularly businesses involved in excursions, transportation, restaurants, retail and cultural activities.

The outlook was presented by Marie McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Government and Destination Affairs for Carnival Corporation, during the annual Bonaire Tourism Summit held September 24 at the Van der Valk Plaza Beach Resort. Speaking under the theme "A Global Fleet, A Local Partner," McKenzie outlined the company's anticipated growth and emphasized the importance of ensuring that increased cruise activity delivers tangible economic benefits to the island.

According to Carnival Corporation, the projected increase is based on current cruise deployment schedules, which indicate that seven of the company's cruise brands will include Bonaire in their itineraries during 2027. The company has not disclosed the exact percentage increase, the total number of expected ship calls or the projected number of additional passengers.

While the forecast suggests a stronger cruise tourism outlook, actual arrivals will depend on finalized itineraries, ship deployments and operating conditions.

A central message of Carnival Corporation's presentation was that expanding cruise activity should translate into increased opportunities for the businesses and communities that host its passengers.

McKenzie identified shore excursions, local transportation, restaurants, retail establishments and cultural experiences as sectors positioned to benefit from additional cruise visitors. She emphasized that stronger cooperation between cruise operators and destination stakeholders would be important in ensuring that the economic benefits extend beyond the port.

"We want cruise tourism to create opportunities for businesses and communities while respecting the natural environment," McKenzie said.

The company's position reflects a wider consideration for Caribbean tourism destinations: increasing visitor numbers is only one measure of success. How much passengers spend locally, the number of businesses participating in the industry and the extent to which communities benefit are also important in evaluating tourism's contribution to the economy.

For Bonaire, increased cruise capacity could generate additional demand for locally operated tours, marine excursions, transportation services and other tourism experiences. However, the financial impact will depend on actual passenger arrivals and how visitors distribute their spending across the island.

Carnival Corporation also emphasized that cruise tourism growth must be balanced against the need to preserve Bonaire's natural environment, which is central to the island's appeal as a destination.

Known internationally for its marine ecosystems, diving opportunities and nature-based tourism, Bonaire faces the challenge of managing increased visitor activity while maintaining the environmental resources that attract travelers.

During her presentation, McKenzie outlined Carnival Corporation's sustainability priorities across five areas: climate action, circular economy, sustainable tourism, biodiversity and conservation, and well-being, inclusion and belonging.

The company highlighted initiatives involving food-waste reduction, shore-power connection capabilities, onboard freshwater generation, reforestation support and partnerships with local organizations. It also identified guest education programs designed to encourage responsible tourism practices.

These measures form part of Carnival Corporation's broader sustainability strategy, rather than representing newly announced environmental projects specifically for Bonaire.

Bonaire is frequently included in southern Caribbean cruise itineraries alongside Aruba and Curaçao, with the three destinations forming the ABC islands. Each island offers a different tourism experience, with Bonaire particularly recognized for diving, marine conservation, ecotourism and outdoor exploration.

Carnival Corporation's projected expansion reinforces Bonaire's role within that regional cruise network and highlights the importance cruise operators place on destinations offering distinctive visitor experiences.

The development is also relevant to the wider Caribbean tourism industry, where destinations continue working to attract cruise itineraries while increasing the economic benefits generated by passenger visits.

For Bonaire, the immediate opportunity will be preparing local tourism operators and service providers to benefit from the anticipated increase in cruise activity. That includes strengthening partnerships, improving visitor experiences and ensuring that tourism growth remains compatible with the protection of the island's natural resources.

Carnival Corporation's announcement provides a positive outlook for 2027, but the full economic impact will become clearer as deployment schedules are finalized and additional information becomes available concerning ship calls, passenger numbers and local spending.

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