Two More Cruise Ships Make First-Ever Calls to St Maarten

St. Maarten is opening 2026 with a notable moment for its cruise sector, welcoming two inaugural ship calls on the same day — a rare double arrival that places the destination firmly on the industry’s early-year calendar.

On New Year’s Day, Port St. Maarten is hosting the maiden St. Maarten calls of Sun Princess, the newest and largest ship built for Princess Cruises, alongside Allura, the latest addition to Oceania Cruises’ fleet.

The simultaneous inaugural visits highlight both the scale and flexibility of the port’s infrastructure, which is capable of handling next-generation mega-ships alongside high-end small luxury vessels on the same day.

The Sun Princess represents a major step forward for Princess Cruises, introducing a new ship class that features liquefied natural gas propulsion and updated architectural design. It is the largest vessel ever constructed for the line and is positioned as a flagship for its future Caribbean and global itineraries.

Docking alongside her, Allura brings a different but equally significant profile to the port. The Allura-class ship emphasizes small-ship cruising, with a focus on culinary programming and destination-forward itineraries that cater to the premium segment of the market.

Port St. Maarten Group management described the double inaugural call as a strong signal of confidence from major cruise brands in the destination’s facilities, service standards and operational capacity. The port noted that inaugural visits typically translate into immediate economic activity across the island, supporting transportation providers, tour operators, retailers and restaurants.

The port authority also encouraged local businesses and residents to participate in welcoming passengers and crew, reinforcing the destination’s reputation for hospitality as the new cruise year begins.

With cruise lines continuing to deploy both larger and more specialized vessels across the Caribbean, the New Year’s Day arrivals underscore St. Maarten’s role as a key regional hub — capable of supporting a wide spectrum of cruise products while maintaining its position as one of the region’s most active homeports and ports of call.