The 2024-2025 cruise season in Dominica kicked off today, October 9, 2024, with the arrival of the Celebrity Summit. This season is set to be vibrant, featuring 235 cruise calls that could bring approximately 375,000 passengers to the island. Among these, 12 ships will make their inaugural visits, including MV AIDAbella, MSC Explora II, MV Sapphire Princess, MV Majestic Princess, and MV Resilient Lady.
Dominica’s previous cruise season ended with notable achievements. Between October 2023 and April 2024, the island welcomed 306,601 cruise visitors, an 11% increase over the prior season, and a 62% jump compared to pre-pandemic figures for 2019-2020. December 2023 alone saw 71,000 visitors, and 16 ships, such as MS Vista and MSC Explora 1, made their inaugural stops, raising Dominica’s profile in the cruise industry.
These visitors contributed approximately $20.4 million to the local economy, benefiting businesses and tour operators. Among the visitors, 247,922 disembarked to explore Dominica, and over half of them participated in organized tours, enriching their experience and supporting local businesses.
Speaking on the new cruise season, Marva Williams, CEO of the Discover Dominica Authority, shared, “The remarkable growth in our tourism sector reflects our team’s dedication. Each visitor allows us to showcase Dominica’s culture and stunning scenery. We will create memorable experiences that inspire our guests to return.”
To celebrate the season’s opening, the Discover Dominica Authority is hosting activities at the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard (Bayfront) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including live music, drumming, and rum tasting.
In preparation for this season, extensive efforts were made to enhance service quality. The Authority hosted the “Elevate Your Service” Training Series and the 2024 Cruise Service Providers Symposium, with 189 service providers completing the training. This initiative aims to foster service excellence, crucial for repeat visitor engagement.
Additionally, Dominica participated in the FCCA PAMAC Summit in Jamaica, represented by key figures such as Mr. Benoit Bardouille, CEO of Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority, and Ms. Odile Jno Baptiste, Product Promotions Manager of Discover Dominica Authority. The summit helped strengthen relationships between cruise lines and destinations.
To further enhance visitor experiences, the Ministry of Tourism has implemented upgrades at major tourism sites, improving access roads, reception facilities, and trails.
The Government of Dominica remains dedicated to promoting the island as a premier cruise destination, continuously working to improve visitors’ overall experience.
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