Basseterre, St. Kitts — St. Kitts is strategically deepening its relationship with P & O Cruises. The Ministry of Tourism announced that beginning in November 2027, the destination will launch full-scale homeporting operations for the cruise line. This means thousands of travellers will start and end their vacations in Basseterre.
Homeporting represents a high-impact opportunity for the local economy, deepening our relationship with cruise line partners and creating brand awareness and loyalty for the destination. When a cruise ship begins its journey in St. Kitts, it stays in port longer, requires greater local support, and offers travellers more opportunities for exploration, fulfilling their sense of wanderlust. This shift is expected to retain a greater share of tourism revenue within the Federation while generating new demand for Kittitian products and services.
Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, The Hon. Dr Terrance Drew, emphasised the national significance of this milestone and the opportunities it will create for the country.
“The introduction of homeporting in St. Kitts marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s progress. Each ship that docks brings new opportunities for our people, our economy, and our culture to flourish. This initiative reflects our commitment to achieving our Sustainable Island State agenda by fostering sustainable growth, elevating our profile on the world stage, building resilience, and positioning St. Kitts as a premier destination of excellence and opportunity.”
Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, International Transport, Employment & Labour, and Urban Development, Hon. Marsha T. Henderson, noted that the initiative will create tangible benefits across the tourism sector and wider economy.
“By November 2027, the destination will move beyond a port of call to a transition port,” said Minister Henderson. “This represents meaningful growth for our nation, and it is growth that our people will feel. Our approach is to build in stages, ensuring that the benefits are sustainable and inclusive. As part of this effort, we are upgrading Port Zante to accommodate this new level of activity, ensuring that when these ships dock, the economic opportunities extend deep into our communities. St. Kitts is stepping forward with confidence, and we are ready.”
To support the 2027 launch, the Government is fast-tracking the development of a modern cruise terminal at Port Zante, an investment of the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports and the Urban Development Corporation. The facility will be designed to streamline passenger movement, enabling travellers to transition efficiently from Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport to their cruise ship.”
President of Carnival UK & P&O Cruises, Paul Ludlow, welcomed the partnership and highlighted the expanded opportunities it will bring for travellers visiting the destination.
“We are delighted to be adding St Kitts as an additional turnaround port for Iona, marking an exciting evolution of our Caribbean fly/cruise programme from autumn 2027. Introducing St Kitts in this way gives our guests even greater flexibility and choice, while opening more seamless access to one of the region’s most beautiful and culturally rich destinations. This development reflects our ongoing commitment to working closely with our destination partners and to continually enhancing the holiday experience for our guests, combining the ease of fly/cruise with the exceptional onboard experience that Iona offers.”
The November 2027 launch is also anticipated to significantly strengthen the destination’s visibility in the UK market and generate increased demand for the St. Kitts experience. St. Kitts offers UK travellers an immersive and authentic escape, distinguished by its rich heritage, verdant rainforest, and deeply enriching cultural experiences.