Dominica will open its 2026/2027 cruise season on Thursday, Oct. 8, with more than 475,000 passengers projected and the Government targeting long-term growth towards 1 million cruise passengers annually.
The MV Rhapsody of the Seas will open the season when it arrives at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth at 8:00 a.m. with approximately 2,100 passengers. A welcome ceremony will be held aboard the vessel upon its arrival.
The season is projected to bring 267 cruise calls and more than 475,000 passengers, nearly 50,000 more than the 2025/2026 comparison figure of 426,000. Between October 2025 and April 2026, Dominica welcomed nearly 410,000 cruise visitors, a 23% increase over the 2024/2025 season and the island’s strongest performance since 2010/2011.
Minister for Tourism, Hon. Denise Charles-Pemberton, noted that every additional visitor represents an opportunity to put tourism dollars directly into the hands of Dominicans, including taxi and tour operators, tour guides, craft vendors, retailers, restaurants, attractions and other service providers.
“Our ambition is clear: to grow cruise passenger arrivals towards 1 million annually, whilst ensuring that this growth translates into stronger businesses, more opportunities for our people and greater economic benefits for communities across Dominica,” the Minister said.
She added that plans for the new cruise port development will be shared with stakeholders in the near future.
Season highlights
More than 80% of the season’s calls are expected between December and March. The heaviest days include Dec. 28, when the MV Queen Mary 2 and MV Arvia are expected to bring more than 9,600 passengers combined and Feb. 19, when more than 9,000 passengers are expected across three vessels. The MSC World Europa, the largest ship on the schedule with a capacity of nearly 6,800 passengers, will call nine times between December and April.
Ships will call at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth, the Woodbridge Bay Port and the Cabrits Cruise Ship Berth in Portsmouth. The Cabrits Cruise Ship Berth will welcome regular calls from smaller luxury and sailing vessels, including the MV Royal Clipper, MV Star Flyer, SY Sea Cloud Spirit and Le Bougainville, bringing opportunities to businesses in Portsmouth and the north.
The full 2026/2027 cruise schedule is available on the Dominica Tourism Updates Facebook page.
Traffic advisory
Residents and motorists are advised to expect increased traffic in and around Roseau on busy cruise days, particularly Dec. 28 and Feb. 19. They are encouraged to check the cruise schedule when planning travel.
Preparing for the season
Ahead of the opening, the Ministry of Tourism worked with the Ministry of Environment and to prepare key cruise sites. The Ministry of Tourism also met with stakeholders across the sector to strengthen preparedness, service delivery and the overall visitor experience.
Minister Charles-Pemberton added:
“As passenger arrivals grow, the quality of the experience we provide must grow with them. As we welcome our visitors this season, our message is simple: let us make every passenger count. Let us provide exceptional service, showcase the warmth and hospitality of our people and give every visitor an authentic Dominican experience.”
About Dominica
Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a) lies in the Eastern Caribbean between Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south. Air travelers can connect to Dominica from Miami on American Airlines and make regional connections on Contour Airlines, InterCaribbean Airways, LIAT Air, Sunrise Airways and WINAIR from the surrounding hubs of Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, St. Maarten, Trinidad, St. Lucia, the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If traveling by sea, travelers may connect to Dominica on the FRS Express ferry service from Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Lucia.
