Cruise lines brought an estimated $340 million in direct spending to the territory during the 2011-2012 season, the third-highest total for cruise destinations in the region, according to a recently-released analysis.

According to recent reports from our news partner Caribbean News Now, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line is partnering with Barbados to build a brand new state-of-the-art cruise terminal on the island that will cost over $300 million.

Cruise tourism boosted revenues for destinations, ports and businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to a Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association-commissioned study from Business Research and Economic Advisors.

MSC Cruises is offering more time to book a Caribbean holiday celebration on the MSC Poesia and receive a complimentary balcony upgrade valued at up to $220 per person. MSC Cruises’ special “Holidays On Sale” rates are available now through Oct. 31, 2012, offering guests complimentary upgrades from oceanview to balcony staterooms or from balcony standard to balcony superior staterooms. The cruise-only rates are per person, double occupancy; government fees and taxes are additional for all guests. Plus, kids traveling as the third or fourth guest in a stateroom sail for only $99.

Regional cruise tourism in 2011-2012 generated more than US$1.9 billion in direct expenditures, 45,000 jobs and $728 million in employee wages among 21 destinations. This is according to a study commissioned by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA.

“Once again, passengers can enjoy the adventure and romance of cruising onboard a true sailing vessel,” said Charles J. Kropke, CEO of the Coral Gables-based company, a successor to Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, which closed its doors in 2007.