Saint Lucia Cruise Port Welcomes Three Luxury Vessels on Inaugural Calls In Spectacular Weekend Celebration

[L] Lancelot Arnold (right), General Manager Saint Lucia Cruise Port welcomed Captain Serena Melani of Explora II to Port Castries [R] Racquel Preville (right), Marketing and Communications Manager, Saint Lucia Cruise Port, welcomed Captain Valentin Giuglea of Odessy to Port Castries

LAST weekend was historic for Saint Lucia Cruise Port. This subsidiary of Global Ports Holding hosted three luxury vessels at Port Castries and Soufrière.

The events kicked off on Saturday, November 16th, with the inaugural call of Ilma from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, followed by Odessey from Villa Vie Residences and Explora II from Explora Journeys on Sunday, November 17th. Together, these prestigious vessels brought 899 passengers and 1,256 crew members to the island, further cementing Saint Lucia’s status as a premier Caribbean destination.

Ilma, the second ship in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, anchored offshore at Soufrière, while Odessey and Explora II docked at Port Castries, offering a stunning view of the island’s coastline.

A plaque exchange ceremony was held on board each vessel, where officials from the Ministry of Tourism, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, as well as representatives from Port Agents Cox & Company and Platinum Port Agency, joined the Saint Lucia Cruise Port team in warmly welcoming the captains and expressing their gratitude for choosing Saint Lucia as a port of call.

Lancelot Arnold, General Manager of Saint Lucia Cruise Port, remarked, “We are thrilled to welcome three exceptional vessels to our shores. We look forward to providing their passengers and crew with an unforgettable experience, showcasing the vibrant culture and natural beauty of Saint Lucia.”

Saint Lucia Cruise Port and port partners welcomed Captain Magnus Bengtsson and crew of Ilma during the plaque exchange ceremony onboard

Captain Magnus Bengtsson of Ilma shared that this was the vessel’s inaugural Caribbean voyage since its debut in September 2024. He expressed the excitement of both passengers and crew to explore the wonders of Soufrière and the island’s lush landscape.

Captain Valentin Giuglea of Odessey praised the island’s breathtaking beauty and the warm reception his passengers and crew received. Odessey, part of Villa Vie Residences, offers travellers the unique opportunity to own or rent a luxury villa on board for stays of up to four years, with access to over 400 destinations.

Captain Serena Melani of Explora II highlighted that this call marked the third port of call for the ship, which was delivered to Explora Journeys in September 2024. She expressed her excitement about future visits to Saint Lucia, with the ship’s luxurious accommodations, including 461 oceanfront suites and the capacity to host 922 passengers and 640 crew members.

Saint Lucia can anticipate a minimum of three additional calls from Ilma and Explora II throughout the ongoing cruise season, while Odessey will also return to the island in the near future.

Arnold further stated, “Saint Lucia Cruise Port is committed to fostering partnerships with the Government of Saint Lucia, the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, and other stakeholders to advance the cruise industry. Through continuous upgrades to our facilities and the enhancement of our offerings, we aim to provide unique, enriching experiences not only for passengers and crew but for the people of Saint Lucia as well.”