St. Kitts and Nevis is currently seeing continued growth in country's increasingly important cruise sector. The popular destination reports it is attracting over 1 million passengers per season.
On December 11, 2018 it is going to welcome the world’s largest cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, for her inaugural call which will bring a passenger count around 7,600-10,000 tops, including crew. During 2018-2019 cruise season, two other Royal Caribbean's Oasis class ships, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas, are due to dock in Basseterre (Port Zante, St Kitts).
Eight Royal Caribbean vessels are due to visit St. Kitts and Nevis 85 times during this cruise season, which is the most of any cruise company.
The formal agreement to initiate the US$48 million project for the building of a 2nd cruise pier at Port Zante was signed in 2015.
The arrival of bigger cruise ships is translating into growing tourism revenues in the federation.
According to 2018 BREA Report, this year's total passenger spending increased 77% when compared to 2015.