BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS — St. Kitts is experiencing a significant influx of cruise visitors this Christmas week, with an estimated 22 cruise ships scheduled to call at the island, most of them docking at Port Zante. The heightened maritime activity coincides with Carnival celebrations, including the highly anticipated J’ouvert festivities.
The cruise season’s busy week began on Sunday with the arrival of two vessels, the Costa Fascinosa and the Marella Discovery, marking the start of what is traditionally one of the island’s most active periods for cruise tourism.
The Costa Fascinosa, arriving from St. Maarten, brought approximately 3,533 passengers to the island before departing early in the afternoon for Santo Domingo. The Marella Discovery arrived with 1,808 passengers and is scheduled to continue onward to St. John’s, Antigua. In total, more than 5,300 passengers from both ships came ashore to enjoy the capital and its attractions.
Additional vessels scheduled to dock throughout the week include Enchanted Princess, Valiant Lady, AIDAsol, Arvia, MSC Davina, Celebrity Apex, Mein Schiff 2, Allure of the Seas, Seven Seas Grandeur, Seabourn Ovation, Coral Princess, Wind Surf, Costa Pacifica, Queen Mary 2, Silver Dawn, Norwegian Sky, and Costa Fascinosa.
On Thursday, December 25, scores of cruise passengers are expected to attend Christmas Day church services across the island, sharing in local traditions and celebrations. The festivities continue the following day, Boxing Day, when Carnival J’ouvert takes centre stage in Basseterre. Hundreds of cruise visitors are anticipated to join residents and revelers as bands wind their way through the streets, adding to the vibrant Carnival atmosphere.