St. Kitts has officially welcomed Oceania Nautica to Port Zante, marking the luxury boutique ship’s first port call at the destination.
The arrival of the 684-passenger ship adds another luxury brand to St. Kitts’ cruise portfolio, with the island continuing to attract smaller premium ships for the 2025-2026 season. Oceania Nautica is part of the Oceania Cruises fleet and is renowned for its neoclassical design, intimate onboard atmosphere and high guest-to-staff ratio, firmly positioning the ship in the luxury and destination-focused segment of the cruise market.
Tourism officials marked the first call with a welcome ceremony in Port Zante, emphasizing the importance of the boutique cruise line to the island’s tourism strategy.
“Oceania Nautica’s first call is a testament to the enduring appeal of St. Kitts and our commitment to providing world-class experiences to all travelers,” said Kelly Fontenelle, CEO of St. Kitts Tourism, in a statement provided to Caribbean Journal. “Welcoming a vessel of this scale allows us to showcase the authentic Kittitian Heartbeat to a discerning audience. Visitors don’t just see our island, they immerse themselves in our culture and support local artisans, tour operators and entrepreneurs.”
Passengers aboard Oceania Nautica are typically attracted to immersive luxury coastal experiences, a sector that generates a strong economic impact within the island. During the call, visitors were able to take advantage of some of St. Kitts’ iconic attractions, including Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site overlooking the island’s west coast, and the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, the last operating railway in the West Indies.
The call also directly benefits local taxi drivers, guides, restaurants and retailers in Basseterre, reinforcing the value of small luxury vessels with an emphasis on curated excursions and extended beach time.
As the 2025-2026 cruise season continues, St. Kitts Tourism said it remains focused on strengthening the destination’s position in the luxury and boutique cruise market while expanding and diversifying its offerings on the island.
