Barbados marked a significant milestone in its cruise tourism sector with the inaugural call of the Oceania Allura to the Port of Bridgetown on December 15, 2025. The newest luxury vessel in the Oceania Cruises fleet arrived with 1,117 passengers, all eager to experience the island’s renowned culture, cuisine, music, and vibrant atmosphere.
Launched earlier this year and the sister ship to the Oceania Vista, Oceania Allura showcases refined design, exceptional personalised service, and an intimate boutique-hotel ambiance. These qualities align seamlessly with Barbados’ premium destination brand, reinforcing the island’s appeal within the luxury cruise market.
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The occasion was commemorated with an official plaque exchange ceremony held on board, where the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) formally welcomed Captain Pavle Silic, his crew, and passengers. The welcome delegation was led by BTMI Chief Executive Officer David Jean-Marie and included representatives from BTMI and Platinum Port Agency, among them Ian Stewart, Chief Operations Officer; Tia Broomes, Senior Business Development Officer for Cruise at BTMI; and Kreigg Yearwood, General Manager of Platinum Port Agency Inc.
During the ceremony, Broomes highlighted the strong and enduring partnership between Barbados and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., under which Oceania Cruises operates. She noted that Oceania Allura is scheduled to make two calls to Bridgetown during the 2025/2026 winter cruise season, despite being less than a year old.
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Barbados’ 2025/2026 cruise season—particularly the peak winter period from December to April—is projected to be exceptionally strong. Officials anticipate over 400 ship calls, high occupancy levels, and a potential increase in passenger arrivals to more than 800,000, building on the momentum of a successful 2024/2025 season. Cruise lines are already reporting full or near-full occupancy for the upcoming winter, underscoring Barbados’ continued growth and prominence as a leading Caribbean cruise destination.
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