MSC Cruises Announces Winter 2024 - 2025 Cruise Itineraries to St. Maarten
By St. Martin Sotheby’s International Realty · May 3, 2024 · Updated November 10, 2026
island-updates
Four of MSC’s ships will set sail on different itineraries from Miami, New York and Port Canaveral this summer to the Caribbean, and six ships will sail to the Caribbean this coming winter from Miami, New York, Martinique and Port Canaveral, according to Ireland's Travel Trade Network. Not surprisingly, whether arriving by plane or cruise ship, the island of Sint Maarten and Saint Martin is a great vacation destination during any season given the many incredible white sand beaches, azure waters, stunning landscapes, rich culture, range of cuisines, and so much more. According to The Daily Herald, a total of 491 cruise ships called at Port St. Maarten in 2023 bringing 1,318,177 passengers, and 2024 is on track for another strong year.
Of the various MSC Cruises set to visit the Caribbean this coming season, a few of them will be visiting Port St. Maarten adjacent to Philipsburg. MSC Meraviglia will homeport in Manhattan, with itineraries of seven-nights offering visits to Orlando, Nassau, The Bahamas and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve as well as itineraries of 10 to 11-nights that include visits in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Sint Maarten. Additionally, MSC Virtuosa will offer seven-night sailings from Fort de France in Martinique to destinations including Sint Maarten, Antigua, Guadeloupe, and Barbados.
As noted above, while these arrivals are great for St. Maarten's economy due to dining, excursions, and shopping, these cruise arrivals cause no direct impact on St. Maarten's real estate market given that passengers have their accommodations onboard. That being said, cruise arrivals do generate tremendous awareness about the island which can convert into downstream demand for vacation rentals and real estate on island.
A passenger's first St. Maarten experience may be thanks to a cruise ship like those mentioned above, but, cruises only dock for a short period of time. Upon stepping foot on St. Maarten soil, it becomes quite clear to passengers that there is so much more to do on island than they'll have time for. This can cause passengers to book an extended vacation in St. Maarten and St. Martin which drives demand for vacation rentals. After vacationing on the island one or more times, it is common for visitors to fall in love and imagine themselves living here for all or part of the year which can lead to demand for condos, homes, and villas for sale in St. Maarten.
At St. Maarten Sotheby's International Realty, we have had many vacation rental clients and real estate buyers who first fell in love with the island thanks to a cruise ship that docked here. Cruise ships are an important part of St. Maarten's economy, and it is important for stakeholders in the local real estate market to be aware of their impact. Be sure to contact our experienced professionals today for help planning your next Caribbean vacation or for assistance navigating the local real estate markets.