Expectations of cruise ports across the Caribbean are for a bumper year for passenger arrivals in 2023. Following three years of pandemic-induced doldrums, the cruise industry is about to resume full throttle. In January 2022, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) predicted a 100% resumption of all cruise lines by 2023. And by year end, senior executives of the leading cruise lines serving the Caribbean region were confirming that there will be full resumption in 2023.

Some cruise lines are expecting to sail with greater than 100% passenger capacity. Greater than 100% is achieved when more than two persons are assigned to a cabin.Expectations of cruise ports across the Caribbean are for a bumper year for passenger arrivals in 2023. Following three years of pandemic-induced doldrums, the cruise industry is about to resume full throttle. In January 2022, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) predicted a 100% resumption of all cruise lines by 2023. And by year end, senior executives of the leading cruise lines serving the Caribbean region were confirming that there will be full resumption in 2023. Some cruise lines are expecting to sail with greater than 100% passenger capacity. Greater than 100% is achieved when more than two persons are assigned to a cabin.

In quantifying the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cruise industry and the economic contribution of cruise tourism to country economies around the world, CLIA recorded the following global statistics:

• For 2020, there were 5.8 million cruise passenger embarkations, down 81% from 2019.
• In 2020, the industry supported 576,000 jobs, down 51% from normal.
• Total economic contribution to the global economy was $64.4 million in 2020, down 59%. —