Saint Lucia Cruise Port Newsletter – April Edition
Stakeholder engagement: The New Vendor’s Arcade
On April 6, 2026, Saint Lucia Cruise Port (SLCP) in partnership with the Castries Constituency Council (CCC) hosted a project update meeting with the arcade vendors to review revised project timelines and mapped out smooth operations during the redevelopment. The session focused on ensuring smooth operations during the redevelopment of the iconic Vendor’s Arcade.
Phase one, located on the site of the former fire station, is scheduled for completion by the end of April 2026, delivering 44 operational units. Phase two will involve the complete demolition and reconstruction of the remaining arcade, set to conclude by October 2026, in preparation for the upcoming 2026/2027 cruise season.
A fresh clustering approach will enhance the visitor and local experience, making it easier for shoppers to discover desired items. Vendors will now operate within five broad categories or clusters:
- Apparel and accessories (e.g. dresses, hats, T-shirts)
- Crafts and artisan goods (e.g. woodcarvings, paintings)
- Food and beverages
- Specialty services (e.g. braiding, manicures, massages)
- Souvenirs and gifts (e.g. keyrings, magnets)
Vendors must stock at least 70% of category specific items with 30% their discretion – for example, apparel vendors should offer seven apparel related items for every three alternative items of their choice.
Seatrade Cruise Global: Charting the Future Together
At Seatrade Cruise Global, our Saint Lucia Cruise Port delegation engaged in fruitful discussions with key cruise industry stakeholders. We connected with leading cruise lines to explore infrastructure enhancements, strengthen partnerships, address challenges, and uncover exciting new opportunities for the future of cruising in Saint Lucia.
The Saint Lucia Cruise Port team is now diving deeper into these collaborations, advancing talks on sustainable infrastructure upgrades and innovative itineraries to elevate the cruising experience in our island paradise. These discussions will translate into actionable solutions, with valuable feedback guiding us to further refine our product and service offerings.
Investing in People, Empowering the Next Generation
In line with Saint Lucia Cruise Port’s guiding principle of “Investing in People,” we proudly hosted two educational sessions for students from Castries Comprehensive Secondary School and Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC).
Form 5 Technical Drawing students visited our Banannes Bay construction site to fulfill Health and Safety requirements for their CSEC syllabus. Project Engineer Dominique Primus delivered an insightful overview of essential site protocols, areas for improvement, and career opportunities in construction.
On April 10, Hospitality, Accommodation, and Tourism students from SALCC toured Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas. Led by Group Coordinator Stevenson Celestine they engaged with industry professionals, gaining valuable insights into on-land and at-sea opportunities within the cruise sector. Saint Lucia Cruise Port is committed to nurturing the passions of tomorrow’s leaders.
Introducing Beyond the Pier!
Say hello to Beyond the Pier! a new campaign designed to highlight the abundant opportunities for unique and memorable experiences in Saint Lucia. Tailored for prospective and undecided cruise passengers, the series educates on the diverse activities and attractions available on our island. Last month, it spotlighted “A Day at Pigeon Island” with key features of SeaLife Paradise and Thirsty Parrot. http://Beyond the Pier – Spend the Day at Pigeon Island! 🛳⚓ #beyondthepier https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWZknvODHLK/?igsh=MTV5NHNlY3E4Z2lwbA==
