Last Updated on February 3, 2025, 2:21 AM AST by Anthony Morris
St Kitts and Nevis welcomed Iona on its inaugural call to Port Zante, Basseterre on Saturday, February 1, 2025, marking the ship’s first visit to the Caribbean region. The cruise ship brought over 3,000 passengers with it, bustling the port with energetic visitors, eager to explore the natural and stunning beauty of the twin island nation.
This visit by one of the largest cruise ships in the world, added another cruise ship to the fleet for 2024-2025 season, helping boost the island’s tourism and enhance its economy by profiting local businesses like street vendors, taxi operators, and tour guides, along with an increase in hotel occupancy rates, with more business and revenue opportunities.
SCAPSA hosts welcome ceremony for Iona
The St Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority (SCAPSA) welcomed P&O Cruises’ Iona cruise ship on its Caribbean debut, with a celebrating plaque exchange ceremony.
The ceremony was joined by Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson who said, “We celebrate this milestone with a commemorative plaque exchange, marking another step in our commitment to world-class cruise tourism.”
The arrival of the cruise ship was led by Captain Martin Allen and its Events Manager, Mayur, provided a guided tour of the ship. Both the Captain and the crew appreciated the warm welcome by St Kitts and Nevis.
About Iona
Iona is renowned for its architecture and its world-class style, becoming one of the world’s largest cruise ships with 184,089 gross tonnage. It offers its passengers with best facilities and services.
Iona, a P&O Cruises vessel, was launched on February 18, 2020 and is an Excellence-class cruise ship with a capacity to carry up to 5,206 passengers and 1,762 crew members.
It features 19 decks, multiple eateries and swimming pools, a fully equipped gym, an entertainment glass dome, a cinema, and 16 whirlpools.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
