Disney Cruise Line and the Government of St. Maarten have announced the expansion of their strategic partnership following the inaugural stop of the Disney Destiny on the island on July 1, an initiative that will significantly increase the number of the cruise line's visits to the destination in the coming years.
The Disney Destiny's stop was the first of three planned by Disney Cruise Line in St. Maarten during 2026. However, forecasts point to much greater growth starting next year, when approximately 14 company calls are expected, with new additions planned for 2028.
St. Maarten's Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, highlighted that the expansion of the Disney Cruise Line fleet opens up significant opportunities for the destination.
“With Disney Cruise Line currently developing five new ships, we see tremendous opportunities for continued growth. As their fleet expands, we are committed to positioning St. Maarten as one of the Caribbean’s premier cruise destinations, increasing the number of Disney calls on our island,” the minister stated during the Disney Destiny’s visit.
The increased number of calls coincides with Disney Cruise Line's ambitious expansion plan. The Disney Destiny entered service in November 2025, a year after the Disney Treasure, while the Disney Adventure began operating earlier this year, based exclusively in Singapore. In addition, the company plans to launch the Disney Believe in late 2027 and has at least four more ships under construction.
According to the minister, the increased number of calls reflects Disney Cruise Line's confidence in St. Maarten's tourism offerings and the destination's ability to provide memorable experiences for its visitors, while also generating new economic opportunities for the island.
The Government of St. Maarten emphasized that each Disney Cruise Line stop brings thousands of visitors, directly benefiting taxi drivers, tour operators, restaurants, shops, attractions, and the entire tourism-related business sector.
Furthermore, the increase in visits will help to strengthen St. Maarten's image among families and regular cruise passengers, consolidating its position as one of the leading destinations in the Caribbean and promoting job creation and economic activity.
The minister also praised Port St. Maarten's efforts to strengthen the cruise sector through strategic partnerships and the development of new routes. In this regard, she emphasized that the growth of cruise tourism must be accompanied by investments that improve the experience for both visitors and the local population.
“As we welcome more cruise passengers, we must continue investing in the overall destination experience. This means improving mobility, strengthening transport and visitor services, and ensuring that our infrastructure evolves at the same pace as growth. Sustainable development must benefit both our visitors and our residents,” he said.
The Tourism Minister concluded by reaffirming the Government's commitment to further strengthen collaboration with Disney Cruise Line.
“Our vision is clear: to build an even stronger relationship with one of the world’s most recognized cruise brands and ensure that St. Maarten remains one of Disney Cruise Line’s preferred destinations for many years to come. By growing responsibly and collaboratively, we can maximize the benefits of cruise tourism for our community, our businesses, and our economy.”
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