By Public Relations
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (GIS) – Barbados and Princess Cruises will reintroduce inter-porting between the Port of Bridgetown and San Juan commencing winter cruise season 2026/27.
Barbados will serve as the second homeport for Princess Cruises’ expanded 2027 and 2028 Southern Caribbean programmes, offering travellers the option to begin and end their trip on the island. This development further confirms Barbados’ position as the number one cruise homeport in the Southern Caribbean and opens new opportunities for visitors.
More than 30 voyages across 15 captivating Caribbean destinations are included in the programme, with Crown Princess sailing January through March 2027 and Emerald Princess sailing November 2027 through March 2028.
Itineraries range from six to nine nights, with the majority being seven‑night sailings offering guests a fantastic opportunity to discover the rich culture, natural beauty, and warm hospitality of Barbados both before and after their cruise.
Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc’s (BTMI) senior business development officer (cruise), Tia Broomes, said Barbados was thrilled to welcome Princess Cruises’ expanded homeporting to Bridgetown, and that the growth in cruise itineraries from Barbados is a result of ongoing negotiations between BTMI and Barbados Port Inc., with cruise lines such as Princess.
“I am very pleased to announce the success of our efforts to bring back inter-porting between San Juan and Bridgetown with our North American cruise line partners embarking guests between the two ports. Barbados stands as the second largest homeport in the Caribbean, and this achievement is counted as a super significant win for Barbados with Princess set to conduct partial turnarounds at Bridgetown,” Broomes continued.
“Barbados is currently in the midst of another exciting cruise season, offering cruise visitors countless immersive and memorable experiences. This new route comes on the heels of the 2025 to 2026 season, in which the island is expected to see over 840,000 cruise ship passengers from North America, the United Kingdom (UK), Europe, and beyond. As the gateway to the Southern Caribbean, Barbados is dedicated to delivering the very best in hospitality and adventure to every cruise guest.”
Vice president Princess Cruises UK, Ireland & EMEA, Eithne Williamson, said:
“This expansion to include Barbados departures adds even greater variety in the highly sought‑after Southern Caribbean and provides greater convenience to our guests travelling from the UK. Our Southern Caribbean itineraries include a mix of standout islands and hidden gems, from the lush scenery of Saint Lucia to the calm beauty of Tortola, all paired with the exceptional service that Princess is renowned for.”
As the winter cruise season continues to build, Barbados is wowing cruise passengers with an impressive and memorable list of attractions and activities to enjoy in 12 hours or less, making every call to the island unforgettable.
The addition of Barbados as a homeport, complementing Princess Cruises’ existing San Juan programme, means travellers from the UK and Europe can now fly directly to Barbados to begin their Caribbean adventure, experiencing the island’s world-famous beaches, cuisine, and attractions right from the start of their journey.
Direct flights to Barbados are available from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham, making it easier than ever to access the island’s thriving cruise port. Guests may book flights independently or through Princess Cruises’ Plane Sailing service, which provides added peace of mind with late‑arrival protection.
A seven‑night Southern Caribbean voyage on Crown Princess starts from £699 per person and sails round-trip from Barbados, departing March 12, 2027. The itinerary includes calls at San Juan, St Thomas, St Maarten, Dominica, and Grenada, giving guests the perfect opportunity to begin and end their journey on the island.
The Winter/Spring 2027–2028 programme on Emerald Princess includes both Christmas and New Year’s holiday sailings. Fares start from £759 per person for a seven-night voyage, sailing round-trip from Barbados and calling at San Juan, Tortola, St Kitts, Dominica, and Grenada. Departing December 24, 2027, this itinerary invites travellers to celebrate the season in true Caribbean style. The new round-trip Barbados voyages went on sale on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
