St. Maarten’s Cruise Season Is Surging — With Three High-Profile Inaugural Calls

Port St. Maarten is making a major milestone in the first week of December as three high-profile cruise ships make their inaugural calls, reinforcing the island’s position as one of the Caribbean’s most in-demand and strategically important ports. 

The sequence began with MSC Grandiosa on Dec. 1, followed by Celebrity Xcel on Dec. 4 and Marella Discovery 2 on Dec. 7 — a trio that spans mega-ship capacity, next-generation luxury and key international markets.

MSC Grandiosa opened the week on Monday, bringing one of the largest contemporary vessels in the industry to Philipsburg and underscoring the port’s ability to move high passenger volumes efficiently. The call is particularly significant for St. Maarten’s reach into the European market, where MSC remains a dominant operator. Handling a ship of this scale signals continued confidence in the port’s infrastructure and operations.

Later this week, the arrival of Celebrity Xcel highlights another dimension of St. Maarten’s appeal. Known for its premium, experience-driven demographic, Celebrity’s newest ship is expected to deliver higher-yield passengers who gravitate toward curated excursions, culinary experiences and luxury retail — key economic drivers for the island. Its selection of St. Maarten for an early call speaks to the destination’s strength with upper-tier travelers and its ability to support elevated guest expectations.

Marella Discovery 2 will follow on Dec. 7, broadening the port’s reach into the United Kingdom market. Marella’s inaugural visit signals the line’s confidence in St. Maarten as a destination that aligns with the preferences of UK-based cruisers, from varied shore experiences to accessible, well-managed port operations. The call helps further diversify the island’s cruise portfolio in a sector where market variety is increasingly essential.

Since Oct., Port St. Maarten has welcomed seven inaugural calls, a run capped by this week’s grouping of three distinct vessels. For itinerary planners, such concentration sends a clear message: St. Maarten is a reliable, high-volume, globally appealing port capable of serving multiple segments at once. It also reflects the port’s sustained investment in facilities, logistics and service partnerships, which continue to position the island as a central anchor for Caribbean cruising.