The Disney Cruise Line footprint on St. Maarten is set to get even bigger.
since disney destiny The visit marks the start of a significant expansion for the island’s cruise lines and Disney plans to dramatically increase calls in the coming years, tourism officials said, making the first call from the port of St. Maarten this week.
According to St. Maarten Minister of Tourism, Economy, Transport and Communications Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Disney is expected to produce the following: 3 calls to Saint-Martin in 2026Next is approximately 14 calls in 2027Additional growth is expected in 2028 as cruise lines continue to expand their fleets.
The increase comes at a time when Disney Cruise Line is in the midst of one of the most ambitious periods of growth in its history. Five new ships Currently in development.
Growing Partnership
On Disney Destiny’s first visit, Heyliger-Marten said the event would be a great event for Disney Cruise Line and St. Petersburg. Maarten said it was an important milestone in their relationship.
Officials believe the cruise line’s fleet expansion will create an opportunity for the island to become a more prominent attraction on Disney Caribbean itineraries.
The government said it plans to continue working with Port St. Maarten to secure additional Disney sailings as new ships enter service in the coming years.
This strategy reflects a broader effort to strengthen St. Maarten’s position among the Caribbean’s leading cruise destinations, particularly through premium cruise brands that attract high-spending guests and repeat visitors.
Meaning of Island
Each Disney Cruise Line visit brings thousands of passengers to the beach, generating business for taxi drivers, tour operators, beach clubs, restaurants, retailers and attractions across the island.
Tourism officials also see Disney’s family-focused clientele as a significant opportunity to introduce new visitors to St. Maarten, encourage future return vacations and increase the destination’s profile with one of the cruise industry’s most loyal customer bases.
The expected jump from a handful of calls to roughly 14 by 2027 is a major one for St. Louis. Maarten’s latest cruise itinerary represents one of the most significant increases planned by a single cruise brand.
The role of Port St. Martin
Heyliger-Marten credited Port St. Martin with helping secure expanded partnerships through its ongoing collaboration with cruise lines and continued route development efforts.
The port remains one of the busiest cruise gateways in the northeastern Caribbean, welcoming ships from nearly every major cruise company servicing the region.
Officials said maintaining strong relationships with cruise partners remains key to the island’s tourism strategy as competition among Caribbean ports continues to intensify.
Preparing for more visitors
The government emphasized that continued growth of cruise ships requires investment beyond attracting additional ships.
Heyliger-Marten said it is essential to improve traffic flow, transportation, visitor services and support infrastructure as passenger numbers increase, with a focus on ensuring cruise tourism benefits both visitors and residents.
Officials said the goal is to responsibly increase cruise arrivals while maintaining the visitor experience that has helped make St. Maarten one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean.
As Disney Cruise Line prepares to nearly quadruple the size of its fleet over the next few years, the St. Maarten is positioning itself to become an increasingly important stop for one of the world’s fastest-growing cruise brands.
