Tourism Trinidad Limited (TTL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTTI), has officially wrapped the 2025/2026 cruise season, delivering significant growth in visitor arrivals and a measurable boost to local economic activity.

From October 2025 to February 2026, Trinidad welcomed 23,961 cruise passengers across 14 calls, alongside 10,723 crew members. This marks a 36% increase in passenger arrivals compared to the previous season, signalling renewed momentum and confidence in the destination.

Stronger Engagement, More Experiences

Visitor participation in local tours also grew, with 6,521 passengers exploring curated experiences — a 17% increase year-on-year.

Cruise lines calling on Trinidad included major brands such as Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, and Swan Hellenic, reinforcing Trinidad’s position on key regional itineraries.

The season also saw five maiden calls, including vessels like SH Vega, Coral Princess, and Hebridean Sky, pointing to growing international interest.

Notably, Brilliance of the Seas facilitated 200 passenger embarkations, highlighting Trinidad’s emerging potential as a homeport destination.

Key Markets Driving Growth

The United States remained Trinidad’s largest source market, accounting for 66% of arrivals (15,865 passengers). This was followed by:

• Canada – 17%
• United Kingdom – 6%
• Germany – 4%
• Caribbean & other markets – 7% combined

This mix underscores Trinidad’s continued appeal among North American and European travellers.

Real Economic Impact: Supporting Local

Approximately 15,799 passengers disembarked to explore the island, with an average spend of USD $59 per visitor, generating an estimated USD $932,141 in onshore expenditure.

This directly supported local vendors, artisans, tour operators, and small businesses, strengthening the link between cruise tourism and opportunities to buy local.

Visitors engaged with Trinidad’s culture through:

• Handcrafted souvenirs and local fashion
• Authentic cuisine, including doubles and bake and shark
• Cultural performances featuring Moko Jumbies, tassa, steelpan, and parang

Top Visitor Experiences

Passengers took part in a range of immersive tours, including:

• City of Port of Spain and Maracas Beach excursions
• Caroni Bird Sanctuary tours
• Heritage and cultural experiences
• Nature-based adventures, including Paramin 4×4 tours and visits to the Asa Wright Nature Centre

Delivering a Strong Visitor Experience

The Cruise Information Team, supported by Visitor Ambassadors and enumerators, played a key role in enhancing the arrival experience — guiding visitors, promoting attractions, and encouraging deeper engagement with local businesses.

Minister: Growth Must Benefit Local Communities

Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, Senator the Honourable Satyakama Maharaj, welcomed the strong performance:

“The 2025/2026 cruise season reflects the growing strength and appeal of Trinidad as a destination. Beyond the increase in arrivals, what is especially encouraging is the level of engagement with local businesses — from food vendors to artisans and tour operators. Cruise tourism continues to create meaningful opportunities for our people, and we remain committed to ensuring visitors not only experience what is local, but actively support what we produce.”

Looking Ahead

TTL and MTTI will continue working with stakeholders to expand local participation in the tourism value chain, strengthen partnerships with cruise lines, and ensure that more visitor spending stays within communities.

The focus remains clear: grow the sector, deepen the experience, and maximise benefits for Trinidad and its people.