PRIME MINISTER DREW WELCOMES WORLD’S LARGEST CRUISE SHIP TO SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS: “A REFLECTION OF PROGRESS AND PARTNERSHIP”

BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts, October 24, 2025 (SKNIS) – Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, has hailed the inaugural visit of Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas — the world’s largest cruise ship — as a proud moment of progress and transformation for the Federation’s growing tourism sector.

During an official plaque exchange ceremony at Port Zante on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to commemorate the ship’s inaugural call, Prime Minister Drew expressed immense pride in the milestone, describing it as a reflection of the Federation’s rising position as a premier tourism destination.

“Today marks another chapter in our nation’s history of progress and transformation and a reflection of our growing stature as a premier destination in the Caribbean and the world in the area of tourism,” said Prime Minister Drew.

In his remarks, the prime minister took a moment to commend the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Marsha Henderson, for her outstanding leadership and continued success in advancing the tourism sector.

Prime Minister Drew also underscored the importance of sustainability and innovation in the country’s tourism development strategy, aligning it with both Royal Caribbean’s environmental commitments and Saint Kitts and Nevis’ own Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA).

“The inaugural call also signals a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and responsible growth. As a Federation, we recognise that the future of travel and tourism must align with the urgent need to protect our environment,” he said. “The Star of the Seas has been designed to be among the most efficient ships in operation, advancing the goal of destination net zero and the cruise line’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The efforts mirror our own ambitions under our Sustainable Island State Agenda. So we are aligned.”

Extending a heartfelt welcome to the Star of the Seas, its crew, and its passengers, Prime Minister Drew expressed confidence that this inaugural call marks the start of a lasting partnership rooted in shared values, sustainability, and progress in what he proudly declared “the best place to be in the Caribbean any time of the year: Saint Kitts and Nevis.”

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