Grenada deepens cruise ties at Seatrade and Cruise360

By AI, Created 10:58 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Grenada Tourism Authority used Seatrade Cruise Global and CLIA Cruise360 to court cruise executives, advisors and industry partners as the Caribbean destination works to grow its cruise business. The outreach focused on port and attraction upgrades, service quality and selling Grenada as a broader visitor destination, not just a stopover.

Why it matters: - Grenada is trying to strengthen its share of the competitive Caribbean cruise market. - The outreach aimed to support long-term cruise growth and keep Grenada top of mind with the people who shape itineraries and travel bookings. - The effort also linked cruise business with broader tourism spending, including destination stays and cultural experiences.

What happened: - The Grenada Tourism Authority and local stakeholders met with cruise line executives, cruise partners and travel advisors at Seatrade Cruise Global and CLIA Cruise360. - The delegation was led by GTA Chairman Randall Dolland. - The group included Nautical Development Manager Shanai St Bernard, Grenada Port Authority General Manager Frank Redhead, GPA representative Gail Ann Newton, and private sector representatives Anya Chow Chung and Sheldon Alexander of Huggins & Company Ltd. - The team used the events to present destination updates and reinforce relationships with industry partners.

The details: - Discussions focused on Grenada’s competitiveness in the regional cruise sector. - The delegation highlighted planned enhancements at Fort George. - The delegation also pointed to anticipated improvements at Grand Etang National Park. - At Seatrade, the GTA engaged with senior cruise line executives and Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association partners. - Those conversations centered on service excellence, training and authentic local experiences as tools for staying competitive. - At CLIA Cruise360, the GTA nautical team met with more than 1,000 travel advisors from across the United States. - The team positioned Grenada as both a cruise destination and a broader travel option. - Travel advisor interest extended beyond cruise itineraries to include destination stays. - The outreach reflected demand for culturally immersive and multi-dimensional Caribbean experiences. - The Grenada Tourism Authority said the cruise sector remains a critical pillar of Grenada’s tourism industry. - Randall Dolland said the engagement was deliberate and collaborative, and that the goal is to deliver a high-quality visitor experience while supporting sustainable, long-term growth. - Shanai St Bernard said travel advisors help shape how visitors experience Grenada, and that the island’s appeal comes from its people, culture and authentic experiences on and beyond the shore.

Between the lines: - Grenada is not just selling port calls. The destination is trying to convert cruise visibility into wider tourism demand. - The focus on upgrades, training and authentic experiences suggests Grenada is competing on product quality as much as on location. - Meeting both cruise executives and travel advisors gives Grenada two sales channels at once: itinerary planning and consumer trip design.

What’s next: - Grenada will continue building industry relationships through cruise trade events and partner outreach. - Planned improvements at Fort George and Grand Etang National Park are likely to remain part of the destination pitch. - The GTA is expected to keep promoting Grenada as a cruise stop and a stayover destination as traveler preferences evolve.

The bottom line: - Grenada is using major cruise industry gatherings to deepen partnerships, promote destination upgrades and push for more cruise-related tourism growth.