Ports & destinations

Global Ports Holding expands Caribbean network with St. Vincent Cruise Port

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 30 October 2026 30 October 2026

Global Ports Holding (GPH), the world's largest cruise port operator, has signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the development and operation of St. Vincent Cruise Port, located in Kingstown, the country's capital and main port.

The agreement follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between GPH and the Government in June 2026 and marks an important milestone in the development of the country's cruise tourism sector.

The signing ceremony took place on 26 October 2026 at Kingstown Cruise Ship Berth, in the presence of the Honourable Dr. Godwin Friday, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, alongside senior government ministers and other distinguished officials.

Subject to the fulfilment of the conditions precedent under the concession agreement, GPH is expected to commence operations at St. Vincent Cruise Port in the first quarter of 2027.

Under the agreement, GPH will bring its extensive cruise port management expertise, operational capabilities and established relationships with leading cruise lines to support the long-term development of the port and strengthen St. Vincent and the Grenadines' position as a cruise destination in the Southern Caribbean.

St. Vincent Cruise Port is expected to welcome over 250,000 cruise passengers during the 2026/27 cruise season, providing a strong foundation for future growth under GPH's management.

GPH plans to implement a phased investment programme focused on modernising port infrastructure, expanding berthing capacity to accommodate larger cruise vessels and enhancing the overall passenger experience.

Beyond port infrastructure, GPH will work closely with the Government and local stakeholders to develop shore excursion opportunities, support local businesses and create wider economic benefits for communities across the destination.

Mehmet Kutman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Ports Holding, said: "This agreement marks an important new chapter in our partnership with the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We value the trust placed in GPH and are committed to combining our global expertise and investment capabilities with the destination's unique character and potential. Our ambition is to develop a modern, sustainable cruise port that creates lasting economic value, supports local businesses and communities, and ensures that the benefits of cruise tourism extend well beyond the port."

Mike Maura, Jr., Regional Director, GPH Americas, said: "Building on our experience across the Caribbean, including San Juan and Nassau, we look forward to bringing regional expertise and best practices to St. Vincent while respecting its unique identity. Our focus will be on enhancing the guest experience, strengthening the destination's appeal to cruise lines and working closely with local stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities for businesses and communities."

The addition of St. Vincent Cruise Port will further strengthen GPH's presence in the Caribbean and reflects the company's continued commitment to working with governments and local communities to develop sustainable cruise destinations and create long-term value.

Port Everglades cruise season brings new record, Director and art

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 24 October 2026 24 October 2026

For the third consecutive year, Broward County’s Port Everglades has hosted a record number of cruise guests. Over 5.38 million guests were welcomed through Port Everglades during Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. With the Broward County Board of County Commissioners’ approval of the FY27 budget and the cruise season officially underway as of October, Martin Jackson has been appointed as Director of the newly created Cruise Services Division, having previously served as Assistant Director of the Cruise Services Section.

“Since Martin joined Port Everglades in January of 2025, he has been a consistent champion of the guest experience,” said CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris. “This internal restructuring is intended to ensure that our cruise business line continues to receive the focus and support it needs to excel and provide the superior day-to-day services expected by our cruise line partners and cruise guests, while also focusing on supporting future growth with both existing and new cruise brands.”

Jackson is enthusiastic about taking the helm. “Operational consistency earns trust, both internally and with our guests and customers, while continuous improvement ensures we are always making progress and moving ideas, vision, and strategy forward,” he said. “The Cruise Services Division remains committed to delivering exceptional experiences for all guests and clients of the port.”

With the start of the new cruise season, the port has released its Port Everglades 2027-28 Cruise Guide, featuring cover artwork Florida Paradise from world-renowned artist and South Florida resident Romero Britto along with the port’s season of cruise line sailings. A massive print of the artwork has also been installed on the southeast side of the Palm Garage.

In November, the port will welcome the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, its newest Icon-class cruise ship accommodating up to 7,600 guests, to homeport for the 2027 season. Also new to the port this season will be Orient Express Sailing Yachts, the world’s largest sailing ship. The new-build Orient Express Corinthian can sail 100% on wind with up to 110 guests. Crystal’s 606-guest refurbished Crystal Symphony will also homeport at Port Everglades and, for the first time since drydocking in 2025, will feature several enhancements and refreshed spaces and public areas. This season, the port will host nine cruise lines and 40 different cruise ships from Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Crystal, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Orient Express, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Viking – as well as Baleària Caribbean’s fast ferry Jaume II. For a listing of sailings and itineraries, visit the port’s award-winning Find-a-Cruise interactive online directory.

Additional port infrastructure updates include enhancements to Cruise Terminal 18 and parking. Cruise Terminal 18 has received a thorough refreshing. The terminal, which opened in 2009 in time for Royal Caribbean’s debut of Oasis of the Seas, has been painted a cheerful ocean blue and the embark hall has been transformed with more open space and modern design elements plus the enhancements of new furniture and artwork in the VIP lounge area. More than 850 parking spaces have been added adjacent to Terminal 18 for a total 6,386 spaces parking spaces among the port’s two multi-story parking garages and several parking lots.

Tarragona Cruise Port and MSC Cruises bring the cruise business closer to future tourism professionals

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 29 October 2026 29 October 2026

Tarragona Cruise Port and MSC Cruises are bringing the reality of the cruise industry closer to future tourism professionals through a practical session marking the conclusion of the second edition of the course Cruise Industry Management: The MSC Cruises and Port of Tarragona Experience, developed in collaboration with the Faculty of Tourism and Geography at Universitat Rovira I Virgili (URV).

The closing session combines a visit to the Tarragona Cruise Port terminal with an experience on board the MSC Orchestra, offering students a direct and complementary insight into the two key areas that underpin cruise operations: port infrastructure management and cruise line operations.

The visit coincides with the MSC Orchestra’s final port call of the season in Tarragona, allowing participants to observe port activity and the processes involved in operating a cruise ship at close quarters. During the tour of the terminal, students learn about its facilities, operational management and coordination between the various stakeholders involved, as well as Tarragona Cruise Port’s role in connecting maritime traffic with the tourist destination.

Students then board the MSC Orchestra to explore the ship’s facilities, meet members of the crew and gain insight into the wide range of professional roles involved in running a cruise ship. The experience helps them understand how the different departments work together, as well as the responsibilities and career opportunities offered by the industry. The session also includes lunch on board and an informal coffee and discussion session, providing an opportunity to exchange experiences, ask questions and engage directly with the realities of working in the sector.

MSC Cruises and Tarragona Cruise Port at the heart of the training programme

The course features the direct participation of professionals from MSC Cruises and Tarragona Cruise Port, who share their knowledge and experience with students across different areas of the industry.

As part of the programme, Alba Colet, Managing Director of Tarragona Cruise Port, delivers the first module, focusing on shore-side infrastructure, cruise terminal management and tourist destination management. Meanwhile, Sofía Basterra, Communications Director at MSC Cruises, contributes to the second, third and fourth modules, which cover the relationship between cruising and tourism, the way the industry and cruise ships operate, and commercial management.

This direct involvement of industry professionals is one of the programme’s key distinguishing features, giving students access to specialist knowledge and enabling them to understand the dynamics of a sector that brings together diverse fields, including tourism, logistics, port operations, onboard services and sales.

Specialised training connected to the professional world

With a total of 50 teaching hours and recognition of 2 ECTS credits, the course provides a comprehensive overview of the cruise industry through four specialised seminars and a field visit.

The programme covers topics such as institutional organisation and coordination among industry stakeholders, terminal and tourist destination management, developments in the international market, the different cruise market segments, career opportunities on board and ashore, sustainability, technological innovation, and sales and marketing strategies.

The visit to the MSC Orchestra and the Tarragona Cruise Port terminal complements the theoretical training with first-hand experience in a real-world professional environment. This enables students to connect the concepts explored in the classroom with the processes, teams and operations that underpin the day-to-day running of the cruise industry.

A University-Industry partnership for the future of the sector

The initiative strengthens collaboration between Universitat Rovira i Virgili, MSC Cruises and Tarragona Cruise Port, with the aim of bridging the gap between academia and the business world and helping future tourism professionals understand the characteristics, challenges and opportunities of this industry.

Through this partnership, Tarragona Cruise Port and MSC Cruises help strengthen the connection between education and industry, fostering knowledge transfer and giving students direct access to professionals working in the sector.

The closing session therefore provides an opportunity to discover first-hand how cruise tourism operates and to highlight the complementary roles of terminal operations, cruise line activities and tourism development across the region.

Global Ports Holding unveils next phase of development at San Juan Cruise Port

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 22 October 2026 22 October 2026

Global Ports Holding (GPH), the world’s largest cruise port operator, highlighted significant progress in the modernization of San Juan Cruise Port and outlined its vision for the next phase of development during a special presentation and facilities tour held in conjunction with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Annual Conference & Trade Show in Puerto Rico.

The gathering brought together cruise line executives, industry leaders, government representatives, and regional GPH executives to showcase the transformation underway at one of the Caribbean's most important cruise destinations and homeports.

Since assuming operations of San Juan Cruise Port in February 2024 under a 30-year Public-Private Partnership (P3) Agreement with the Government of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, GPH has worked alongside its government partners to advance a comprehensive infrastructure modernization program. The initial program, expected to exceed US$200 million, includes structural rehabilitation, berthing infrastructure improvements, terminal upgrades, and operational enhancements across the port's facilities, with anticipated completion in the fourth quarter of 2026.

“San Juan Cruise Port is a key part of our growth strategy across the Americas. Through ongoing investments and future development plans, we are strengthening its infrastructure, enhancing its capabilities and creating new opportunities for cruise lines. This reflects our broader commitment to developing competitive cruise destinations and supporting sustainable growth across the region,” said Mike Maura Jr., Regional Director, Americas, Global Ports Holding.

"San Juan Cruise Port is a strong example of what can be achieved through long-term public-private partnerships and a shared commitment to developing world-class cruise infrastructure," said Mike Maura Jr., Regional Director, Americas, Global Ports Holding. "Our focus extends beyond modernizing port facilities. We are collaborating with our partners to strengthen Puerto Rico's competitiveness as a cruise destination and homeport, improve operational efficiency, and create the foundation for sustainable growth that benefits the cruise industry and the wider community."

Looking ahead, GPH also highlighted two significant proposed developments that will help shape the future of cruise operations in San Juan.

The first is a new cruise terminal at Piers 11 and 12, representing more than US$200 million in additional construction investment, envisioned to be financed through private capital. The proposed development would expand San Juan's homeport infrastructure, introduce modern passenger facilities, and improve embarkation and disembarkation capabilities to accommodate the evolving needs of cruise lines and their guests.

“San Juan represents the scale of what can be achieved when long-term private investment is combined with a shared vision and strong public-sector collaboration. Together with our government partners, we are not simply modernizing existing infrastructure; we are shaping the future of cruise operations in Puerto Rico and laying the foundations for long-term economic value,” said Jan Fomferra, President, San Juan Cruise Port and CFO, Global Ports Holding.

A second major initiative involves the demolition and reconstruction of the historic Pier 1 in Old San Juan, with an estimated project cost of US$114 million. The project is expected to be funded primarily through federal CDBG-MIT and FEMA resources and developed in coordination with the relevant Puerto Rico government agencies.

Following the presentation, participants toured the Pan American Piers to observe infrastructure improvements completed and underway, including the recent arrival of a new Passenger Boarding Bridge. This addition will complement the first bridge installed in 2025, introducing enhanced passenger boarding infrastructure designed to improve safety, efficiency, and operational flexibility.

“The progress we are making at San Juan Cruise Port is becoming increasingly visible. From infrastructure rehabilitation to new passenger boarding bridges, these improvements are making a real difference in how we operate and serve cruise lines and their guests. Our priority is to ensure that every investment translates into a safer, more efficient and welcoming port experience,” said Clarivette Diaz, General Manager, San Juan Cruise Port.

Norberto Negrón, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, and Josué Colón, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority attended the event, reflecting the continued collaboration between GPH and its public-sector partners.
Through its ongoing investments, infrastructure development initiatives, and strategic partnerships, Global Ports Holding continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing cruise port operations in the Americas, supporting the growth of the regional cruise industry, and creating long-term value for the destinations and communities it serves.