Key Aspects:
- Disney Cruise Line is expected to increase St. Maarten visits from two in 2026 to approximately 14 in 2027.
- Future itinerary announcements will likely add about 10 more St. Maarten calls and will continue to grow in 2028.
- St. Maarten shared the news during Disney Destiny’s inaugural call to the island.
When the new Disney Destiny arrived on St. Maarten for its inaugural call on July 1, 2026, the visit represented more than another ship in port.
For island officials, it marked the beginning of what will become a much larger partnership with Disney Cruise Line over the next several years.
The July 1 visit was the first of two scheduled Disney Cruise Line calls to the Caribbean island in 2026. According to Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten, that number is expected to increase to about 14 calls in 2027, with additional growth anticipated in 2028.
The announcement was made during a ceremony aboard Disney Destinywhere officials outlined plans to expand the cruise line’s presence on the island as Disney Cruise Line continues growing its fleet and Caribbean deployment.
“This year, Disney Cruise Line is scheduled to make two calls to St. Maarten. In 2027, that number is expected to grow to approximately 14 calls, and by 2028, we intend to work closely with Port St. Maarten to further expand Disney’s presence on our shores,” said Heyliger-Marten.
The minister said Disney Cruise Line’s expanding fleet creates an opportunity for St. Maarten to secure additional Caribbean calls while bringing more visitors and tourism spending to the island.
“The anticipated increase in Disney Cruise Line visits represents more than additional ship calls. It reflects growing confidence in St. Maarten’s tourism product and its ability to deliver memorable visitor experiences while creating tangible economic opportunities for the destination,” Heyliger-Marten said.
According to the ministry, each Disney Cruise Line call brings thousands of passengers ashore, supporting taxi operators, tour companies, restaurants, retailers, and attractions while increasing the island’s visibility among families and repeat cruise travelers.
Heyliger-Marten also acknowledged that accommodating more cruise passengers will require continued infrastructure and transportation investments.
She added, “As we welcome more cruise visitors to our shores, we must continue investing in the overall destination experience.”
Disney’s Schedule Leaves Room for More
The projected increase also suggests Disney Cruise Line’s upcoming itinerary announcements could look different than what guests can currently book.
The company has released itineraries through summer 2027, but only a handful currently include St. Maarten. Based on the line’s published itineraries, six calls are scheduled through July 2027.
Those include Disney Fantasy’s 10-night Southern Caribbean cruise departing Port Canaveral on July 12, 2026, with a July 15 call in St. Maarten. It returns again on its annual voyage with a July 14, 2027, call.
Read Also: St. Maarten Cruise Port: Piers, Getting Around and What’s Nearby
Disney Destiny also returns during its 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruises departing Fort Lauderdale on December 12, 2026, and January 30, 2027.
Disney Dream is also scheduled to visit St. Maarten on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from Fort Lauderdale on February 22, 2027, while another Southern Caribbean itinerary from San Juan includes a call on the island on April 22, 2027.
If the island reaches its goal of approximately 14 Disney Cruise Line visits next year, roughly 10 additional calls would need to be added once Disney releases its fall 2027 and early 2028 itineraries.
There are already indications that additional Disney ships could begin calling on the island. Port schedules published by St. Maarten list future visits by Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Fantasy during late 2027 and early 2028, although the cruise line has yet to announce its schedule.
