Saint Lucia welcomes Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship as 2026-2027 season begins

Saint Lucia: Saint Lucia’s 2026-2027 season officially opened with the inaugural visit of the luxury expedition ship Seabourn Venture to Rodney Bay on October 12, 2026.

The ship’s arrival at Rodney Bay Marina marked the official start of the season.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, Ernest Hilaire welcomed the new season in a Facebook post, noting that October brings new opportunities, new faces and new beginnings.

“We're looking forward to this new season, full of new opportunities, new faces, and new beginnings,” he wrote.

He then urged the Saint Lucians to welcome the visitors with open arms and warmth, for which the nation is known for.

The island’s October cruise schedule lists a total of three calls for the month. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth reportedly called at the Castries on October 20, 2026, berthing at the Pointe Seraphine 1. The vessel has a capacity of carrying a total of 2,547 guests.

Last call for the month will be the smaller expedition ship Le Bellot, which is expected at Rodney Bay on October 28, anchoring offshore, having a capacity of 184 passengers.

In the year 2025, the Saint Lucia Cruise Port reported a total of 119,542 passengers and 56 vessels from October 1 to November 30, 2025, including seven inaugural calls.

Cruise tourism has been a major source of income for taxi drivers, tour guides, vendors, artisans and other small operators throughout the island.

Furthermore, the Saint Lucia Cruise Port has been building a new boardwalk and upgraded vendors’ arcade at the Port Castries.