Antigua Cruise Port opens new terminal as cruise arrivals climb
Antigua and Barbuda has officially opened a new cruise terminal in St. John’s, marking another phase in the country’s long-term investment in cruise tourism and its partnership with Global Ports Holding.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the new terminal signals to international partners that Antigua and Barbuda is “open” and “thriving,” noting that the government has invested an estimated US$300 million in the cruise tourism sector over the past three decades.
He said the 30-year concessions agreement signed with Global Ports Holding in 2019 reaffirmed the government’s commitment to positioning the country as a regional leader in cruise tourism.
The terminal opening forms part of a broader upland development project being executed by Antigua Cruise Port. General Manager Gaspar George said the upland works are expected to be completed by July this year.
Officials said the wider development will reshape the port landscape, with plans for improved passenger flow, new commercial spaces, experiential offerings and stronger connectivity between the port and the city. Additional renovations are also planned for the Heritage Quay area, with completion targeted for early 2028.
Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez said cruise arrivals have doubled since the country entered into its agreement with Global Ports Holding, and projections indicate that Antigua and Barbuda could receive about one million cruise passengers in 2026.
Officials said the modernization of the cruise product has improved passenger flow and the overall visitor experience, while integrating local businesses more deliberately into the cruise ecosystem and strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s position as a home-porting destination.
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