ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Aruba Cruise Tourism 2026 continues to perform positively, with strong passenger numbers, highly occupied ships and favourable visitor-satisfaction results, according to Aruba Ports Authority CEO Marc Figaroa.
During an interview with DIARIO, Figaroa said 2025 was an exceptionally successful year for Aruba’s cruise industry and that the positive development continued during the first six months of 2026.
Official Aruba Ports Authority figures show that the island received 551,168 cruise passengers during the first half of 2026, compared with 514,850 during the same period in 2025. This represents growth of approximately 7.1%.
Aruba Received More Than 970,000 Passengers in 2025
APA recorded 970,803 cruise passengers and 376 cruise-ship calls during 2025.
The total increased substantially from the 897,273 passengers and 347 ship calls registered in 2024.
Figaroa said APA expects the 2026 passenger total to remain around the strong level achieved last year, with the possibility of modest additional growth by the end of December.
He said the first half of the year performed particularly well and expects cruise activity to increase further when the traditional high season begins in October.
The forecast represents APA’s current outlook and may change depending on cruise schedules, global developments, weather and operational conditions.
Aruba Remains Important in Cruise Decisions
Recent Aruba Tourism Authority research supports Figaroa’s assessment that the island remains a preferred cruise destination.
ATA’s 2025 Annual Cruise Tourism Survey found that 81% of respondents said Aruba’s presence on an itinerary influenced their decision to book that particular cruise. The figure increased from 78% in 2024.
All 14 visitor-experience categories measured in the survey improved compared with the previous year.
Aruba’s beaches, perceived safety and local hospitality received the highest evaluations from participating cruise passengers.
Figaroa said these results demonstrate the importance of continuously maintaining and improving the destination instead of assuming that Aruba’s popularity will remain automatic.
Cruise Visitors Support Local Businesses
ATA found that cruise passengers spent an average of US$197 per person during a visit to Aruba in 2025.
Excursions, locally produced crafts, food and beverages were among the main spending categories.
This spending creates economic activity for tour operators, taxi drivers, restaurants, retailers, artisans, attractions and other businesses serving arriving passengers.
Although cruise visitors generally remain on the island for only several hours, the large number of passengers can generate significant commercial activity during each port call.
Southern Caribbean Routes Perform Well
Figaroa highlighted the importance of cruise itineraries connecting Aruba with Panama, Colombia and other Southern Caribbean destinations.
Royal Caribbean’s regional deployment includes a route linking Colón, Cartagena, Oranjestad and Willemstad. The company arranged continued service on the itinerary after Serenade of the Seas completed its scheduled deployment.
APA previously announced that Royal Caribbean would become Aruba’s largest cruise-line group during 2026.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line was projected to account for 27.1% of Aruba’s cruise market, while the wider Royal Caribbean Group was expected to represent 34.8% of passengers.
Figaroa said vessels operating regional routes have recorded strong occupancy, contributing positively to Aruba’s cruise performance.
He also described activity involving Carnival, Norwegian and Princess as encouraging.
Younger Travellers and Families Join Cruises
Figaroa observed that the global cruise market is attracting a broader range of passengers.
Cruising was previously associated mainly with travellers over 50, but younger adults and families are increasingly selecting cruise holidays.
Family-oriented ships operated by companies such as Carnival and Disney can carry several people in each cabin, contributing to high passenger occupancy even when the number of occupied cabins remains stable.
This changing demographic can influence the excursions, attractions, transportation and entertainment passengers seek when they arrive in Aruba.
The island must therefore provide experiences suitable for families, younger travellers, couples and older visitors.
APA Connects Demand With Global Conditions
Figaroa suggested that international uncertainty may influence some travellers to select cruises as an alternative to more complex land-based trips.
This was his interpretation of current passenger behaviour and should not be treated as a confirmed direct cause of Aruba’s cruise growth.
Cruise demand depends on numerous factors, including ticket prices, available routes, consumer confidence, air connectivity to departure ports and the appeal of the destinations included in each itinerary.
Aruba’s first-half passenger figures nevertheless show that demand remained strong during the opening six months of 2026.
Aruba Maintains Its Caribbean Position
Figaroa said Aruba continues ranking favourably among Caribbean destinations, particularly in passenger-satisfaction results connected to major cruise lines.
He attributed this position to continued maintenance, product improvements and cooperation among APA, ATA, government agencies and tourism businesses.
Maintaining a preferred-destination position requires more than welcoming additional ships.
The island must also manage transportation, cleanliness, safety, visitor information, port infrastructure and the quality of services passengers receive after leaving the terminal.
Positive experiences can encourage passengers to recommend Aruba, return on another cruise or book a future stayover holiday.
ABC Islands Promote Regional Cooperation
Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao continue benefiting from their geographic proximity and their position outside the main Caribbean hurricane belt.
Figaroa said the three islands can strengthen their appeal by promoting themselves collectively as the ABC Islands.
Cruise lines generally prefer itineraries that offer several attractive and efficiently connected destinations.
Cooperation can therefore help Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao present a stronger Southern Caribbean route while still maintaining the distinct identity of each island.
A well-performing regional itinerary can encourage cruise companies to maintain existing calls, introduce larger vessels and develop additional departures.
Continued Investment Remains Important
APA continues preparing Aruba’s port infrastructure for changing cruise-industry requirements.
Modern vessels carry more passengers and require suitable berthing facilities, organised ground transportation and efficient passenger movement around the terminal.
Aruba’s official cruise schedule and passenger statistics are maintained by Aruba Ports Authority, which manages the Oranjestad cruise terminal and publishes detailed monthly data.
Figaroa said Aruba must continue maintaining its tourism product and improving the visitor experience to protect the strong position it has developed.
Positive Outlook for Remaining Months
Aruba welcomed 213 cruise-ship calls during the first six months of 2026, carrying more than 551,000 passengers.
With the high season expected to begin in October, APA anticipates stronger activity during the final months of the year.
The final passenger total will depend on scheduled calls and possible operational changes, but current results indicate that Aruba Cruise Tourism 2026 remains on a positive path.
Figaroa said Aruba’s strong visitor satisfaction, regional routes and cooperation with major cruise lines continue to support its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s preferred cruise destinations.
