WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s cruise industry is heading toward another record year, with Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) forecasting approximately 950,000 cruise passenger arrivals in 2026 as the number of ship calls and passengers continues to rise.
CPA presented the latest figures during this week’s State of the Tourism Industry Press Conference, showing that 590,829 cruise passengers arrived in Curaçao during the first eight months of 2026. That represents an increase of 30,421 passengers, or 5 percent, compared with 560,408 during the same period in 2025. Average ship occupancy remained at 91 percent in both years.
The number of cruise calls has risen even faster. Through August, Curaçao recorded 231 calls, compared with 212 during the corresponding period last year. That represents an increase of 9 percent, or 19 additional cruise calls.
If CPA's full-year forecast is achieved, Curaçao will welcome around 950,000 cruise passengers in 2026, setting another record and continuing the strong recovery of the sector following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cruise arrivals reached 882,583 in 2025, up from 834,884 in 2024 and 710,623 in 2023. Before the pandemic, Curaçao received 760,520 cruise passengers in 2018 and 809,874 in 2019.
The pandemic caused those numbers to collapse to 255,787 in 2020 and only 146,213 in 2021. By 2022, however, passenger arrivals had recovered to 533,831.
The projected 950,000 passengers this year would therefore put cruise arrivals roughly 140,000 above the previous pre-pandemic high recorded in 2019.
Several developments are expected to further strengthen Curaçao's position in the cruise market during the remainder of the year.
CPA announced that Legend of the Seas, an Icon-class cruise ship, is scheduled to arrive in Curaçao on November 17.
Another significant development will follow on November 25, when MS Renaissance of Ambassador Cruise Line begins interporting operations in Curaçao. This means Curaçao will not merely serve as a port of call but will also function as an embarkation point for passengers beginning their cruise on the island.
CPA expects approximately 300 local embarkations connected with the operation. MS Renaissance is scheduled to make 11 calls during the 2026-2027 cruise season.
The port authority is simultaneously investing in infrastructure around the cruise terminals. The coastline upgrade at Mega Pier 1 was completed in 2026, while a multifunctional arrivals pavilion is planned for Mega Pier 2. The project is currently in the permitting stage, with construction expected to begin in 2027.
CPA also highlighted several sustainability projects associated with its port infrastructure. These include a solar walkway at the Mega Piers, a new waste-management system and free water-refill stations.
The authority additionally listed the electrification of the Queen Emma Bridge and ferry operations among its sustainable developments.
The figures show that Curaçao's cruise sector has not merely recovered from the pandemic but is moving substantially beyond its pre-COVID levels. Reaching CPA's forecast of 950,000 passengers would mean cruise traffic has increased by more than 17 percent compared with 2019 and by nearly 30 percent compared with 2023.
With passenger volumes approaching one million annually, the development also places increasing importance on port infrastructure, transportation, visitor management and ensuring that the growing number of cruise visitors generates broader economic benefits for Curaçao.