Topic: cruise industry

Despite recent norovirus and hantavirus incidents linked to multiple cruise vessels, public health officials and industry analysts say the overall risk to the Caribbean cruise sector remains low.

Grand Cayman is emerging as a key beneficiary as major cruises reroute from Labadee, Haiti, amid deepening security concerns.

Cayman businesses that rely on cruise tourism are facing a battle to stay afloat amid declining ship calls as they urge government to address their plight before it is too late.

The Cayman Turtle Centre is expecting to see a significant drop in revenue over the next two years.

Cayman businesses that benefit from the cruise industry lost out on a potential $24 million in passenger spending due to the arrival of fewer ships last winter season, according to the deputy opposition leader.

The cost of the cruise industry, both financially and ecologically, likely outweighs the benefits for the Cayman Islands, a leading Caribbean economist has said.

The sighting of ultra luxury yacht Evrima on the horizon off Grand Cayman Thursday morning sparked the curiosity of many, but also offered a glimpse into what might be an emerging opportunity for the islands.

Representatives of the Caribbean Cruise Line Association will meet with tourism, health and government officials on Tuesday on how to safely reintroduce cruise ships here.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has granted Royal Caribbean International's Freedom of the Seas a Conditional Sailing Certificate making it the first passenger cruise ship to get the green light to set sail from a US port following stringent COVID-19 restrictions.

A record 25 million passengers are expected to set sail on cruises next year, continuing a steady growth in the industry over the past decade. The number of people taking cruise vacations globally has risen from 15.8 million in 2007, according to statistics from the Cruise Lines International Association.

Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell hailed the impact of increasing arrival figures in bringing down unemployment as the Cayman Islands gears up for what is expected to be the busiest high season on record.