Barbados celebrated another milestone in its growing cruise tourism sector on Monday as the Ambassador Cruise Line vessel Renaissance made its maiden call to the Bridgetown Port, bringing 938 passengers to the island.
A plaque-exchange ceremony was held onboard to commemorate the occasion, where Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) Chief Operations Officer Cheryl Carter officially welcomed Captain Yan Jouffroy and his crew. Carter described the visit as more than symbolic—she said it underscored Barbados’ reputation as one of the Caribbean’s leading home porting hubs.
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“This is more than a ceremonial occasion. It is really a powerful endorsement of Barbados as a premier port destination in the competitive region,” Carter shared. She highlighted that selecting a home port is a strategic move for cruise lines operating across North America and Europe, and Barbados continues to offer significant long-term advantages.
“Our geographic position as the eastern gateway to the southern Caribbean provides unparalleled operational efficiency for diverse itineraries,” she explained, noting that Barbados’ infrastructure, airlift, and port facilities make it an attractive base for cruise operations.
Captain Jouffroy expressed appreciation on behalf of the ship and its passengers, thanking representatives from BTMI, Barbados Port Inc., and Platinum Port Agency for the warm island reception. “I am pretty sure our crew and our guests also will enjoy their stay today,” he remarked.
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The Renaissance, which can carry approximately 1,100 guests, will see 441 new passengers embark in Barbados before it departs for its next scheduled stop in Curaçao.
The vessel’s successful maiden visit not only reinforces Barbados’ strong positioning in the regional cruise market but also signals continued confidence from cruise partners as the island expands its role as a strategic home porting destination.
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