Cayman Islands Projecting Cruise Revival Through 2027

The Cayman Islands Port Authority has projected that cruise tourism will rebound strongly, forecasting nearly 1.7 million cruise arrivals in 2027—a substantial increase from recent years when arrivals were under 1.1 million.

This optimism comes despite earlier concerns that the decision not to build a new cruise pier might hurt the islands’ ability to attract large ships. Officials say the projection suggests that demand remains strong and that the islands’ appeal is resilient.

While mega-ships with 6,000+ passengers may bypass the Cayman Islands due to docking constraints, the islands are seen as a “demand destination” for many cruise operators. Smaller vessels or tendering operations may continue to support high passenger volume.

Local tourism businesses are encouraged by the forecast. They are preparing for increased demand by upgrading infrastructure, improving shore excursion offerings, and ensuring readiness in port services and immigration processing.

Critics caution that growth without sustainable planning could strain local systems—waste management, transport, environmental protection—and call for thoughtful capacity management.

Still, the projection offers hope for recovery in Cayman’s cruise sector and suggests that the decision against the new pier might not be as detrimental as earlier feared.