St. Kitts broke ground this month on a new cruise terminal at Port Zante, a project officials say will position the island as a premier cruise turnaround port in the Caribbean, with an eventual goal of full homeport services.
“This investment in the cruise terminal will drive economic impact felt across every corner of our tourism industry; regardless of your job,” said Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, in a press statement. “It also advances our vision for a Sustainable Island State: a nation resilient enough, and diversified enough, to not just survive whatever comes our way, but to thrive.”
St. Kitts: Raising the Bar for Cruise Lines
Government officials, tourism stakeholders and industry partners gathered for the ceremony marking the start of construction. Port Zante has welcomed cruise visitors for years, supporting local businesses and creating jobs across the Federation. The new terminal builds on that history, opening the door to higher visitor spending, more overnight stays and expanded airlift.
The facility is central to the government’s plan to strengthen the cruise sector. Turnaround operations for two P&O Cruises vessels are scheduled to begin in November 2027, expanding St. Kitts’ cruise offering beyond single-day port calls. Once finished, the terminal will include updated security screening and immigration systems intended to speed processing for guests boarding and leaving ships in St. Kitts. The destination has already logged more than 950,000 cruise passengers this season.
The St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority, the Urban Development Corporation and the Homeporting Steering Committee led the planning behind the groundbreaking. Mrs. Melnecia Marshall, deputy chief executive officer of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, chairs the committee, which worked with Baley Project Management and Construction Inc., along with technical advisers, architects, government agencies and finance advisers, to move the project from concept to construction.
“This groundbreaking represents months of dedication, finally taking physical shape. This project did not begin with the turning of the sod. It began with dialogue, trust, and relationships that have been carefully cultivated over many years. It reflects the collective efforts of the government, our public sector agencies, technical experts, financial advisors, and private sector partners, all working toward a common goal: advancing the future of St. Kitts and Nevis. The ceremony represents our determination to invest in infrastructure that strengthens our economy, creates new opportunities for our people, and enhances the competitiveness of St. Kitts and Nevis within the global cruise industry,” said Minister of Tourism Marsha T. Henderson, in a press statement.
For more information, visit visitstkitts.kn.
