SAINT LUCIA CRUISE INDUSTRY ALIGNS FOR GROWTH AT ANNUAL CRUISE CONNECT CONFERENCE
(Castries, Saint Lucia, October 5, 2026) – Local and regional cruise industry stakeholders gathered for the third annual Cruise Connect conference, hosted by Saint Lucia Cruise Port (SLCP) at Royalton Saint Lucia Resort last week, as the destination prepares for the 2026/2027 cruise season and continues major cruise infrastructure development.
Held under the theme “Sailing in Sync,” the conference focused on strengthening Saint Lucia’s competitiveness, enhancing the guest experience, and increasing the economic value generated by cruise tourism for local businesses and communities.
Saint Lucia enters the new season with positive momentum. The destination welcomed 697,953 cruise passengers during the 2025/2026 season, representing 4.7 percent growth, despite a slight decline in vessel calls.
For 2026/2027, Saint Lucia is projected to welcome over 700,000 passengers across 406 calls, with approximately 44 cruise lines and 16 inaugural calls.
Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire, delivered keynote remarks encouraging stakeholders to identify practical ways to increase local participation and economic benefit from cruise tourism. ‘There are many ways Saint Lucians can own different elements of the tourism industry and create opportunities to generate intergenerational wealth.’
Lancelot Arnold, Regional Director of GPH Eastern Caribbean and General Manager of Saint Lucia Cruise Port, presented an industry outlook focused on cruise trends, passenger expectations, and the upcoming season. “Saint Lucia’s cruise sector is committed to strengthening our destination’s competitiveness by delivering exceptional guest experiences, fostering deeper collaboration across stakeholders, and maximizing the economic value we create for local communities and businesses.”
Gasper George, Regional Director for Operations and Product Development, GPH Eastern Caribbean, addressed Saint Lucia’s competitive positioning, operational gaps, service consistency, and priorities for product development: “Our success as a cruise destination depends not only on having compelling product offerings, but on consistently delivering them with operational excellence. It is essential that we maintain high service standards across the sector so that every visitor departs Saint Lucia with a positive, memorable experience.”
The conference was held during a significant period of cruise infrastructure transformation. The Castries Vendors Arcade, which will include 120 units, is expected to be completed in Q4 2026, while development at Banannes Bay, including the Fisherman’s Village, is targeted for completion by the end of Q1 2027. Work is also progressing on the Castries boardwalk and Soufriere Waterfront redevelopment, with improvements designed to enhance visitor movement, commercial opportunities, and the overall waterfront experience.
Alongside infrastructure development, SLCP plans to advance several initiatives during the new season, including guest experience enhancement, wayfinding improvements, vendor training, transportation management, and expanded digital visitor information.
Cruise Connect also placed greater emphasis on measurable outcomes. Stakeholders were challenged to identify service and product gaps within their respective areas and to collaborate on improvements aimed at increasing passenger spend, strengthening guest satisfaction and excursion participation, improving operational efficiency, expanding local business participation, and encouraging repeat cruise calls.
The conference reinforced three key priorities for Saint Lucia’s cruise sector: sustaining growth into the new season, advancing major infrastructure development, and ensuring that closer industry alignment translates into a stronger guest experience and greater economic benefit for Saint Lucians.
