Castries – Friday, October 11, 2013 – The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) is proud to announce that Saint Lucia’s Port Castries is once again in the top 50 Cruise Ports of the World and the one of two OECS ports on this esteemed list. The ranking was released by Cruise Insight The Global Cruise Market Magazine’s “World’s Top 50 Cruise Ports of Call” for Autumn 2013. Port Castries which is projected to welcome approximately 640,000 passengers and over 370 cruise vessels for the upcoming cruise season is no stranger to receiving such accolades. Last year, Port Castries was ranked in the top 50 in addition to being awarded with the 2012 Porthole Editor-In-Chief Award for “Best Caribbean Port” from Porthole Cruise Magazine and in2008 won Best Destination Experienced (Organised) from DREAM World Cruise Destinations.

“We at SLASPA continue to work hard at attracting more cruise business and developing Port Castries into a leading cruise destination, knowing that our community reaps the benefits of the increased jobs and business opportunities. Port Castries has established itself as a leading port in the Caribbean with modern facilities, using modern technology and techniques such as dynamic positioning of vessels and of course being in the heart of Castries city. We have increases in both calls and passengers this seasons which we have attributed to several lines returning to Saint Lucia namely European brand MSC Cruises with three calls and popular Disney Cruise Line with two calls. In addition, Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International all increased their called. We also have Croisieres de France scheduled to make twenty-one calls during the 2013/2014 period with its vessel Horizon. So being ranked among the best is a great achievement for us” said Ms. Dona Regis, Director of Marketing and Product Development.

The top three spots went to Nassau Bahamas, Cozumel, Mexico and Civitavecchia, Italy.  

About Cruise Insight Magazine

Cruise Insight Magazine informs customers on not only what is happening in the cruise industry but also why and what it means.  Comment, opinion, reaction and quotes from a cross section of industry leaders plus in-depth analysis and reports. The company also publishes supplements that are circulated with the magazine.