Saint-Martin asserts its ambition to offer tailor-made cruises for refined tourism
Present at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 in Miami, Saint-Martin (French part) asserted its unique positioning in the world of Caribbean cruising.
Through the testimonials of Aïda Weinum and Ellis Albéric, the island highlighted its desire to offer an authentic, selective experience that respects its cultural and environmental identity.
Authenticity as a pillar of tourism development
For Aïda Weinum, Director of the Saint-Martin Tourist Office, it’s essential to preserve the soul of the island in a rapidly changing cruise industry.
In Saint-Martin, the choice is clear: no very large liners on the French side, to preserve the balance between tourism and quality of life.
The island favours small cruisers and offers passengers a tailor-made experience, focusing on :
- Gastronomy, as Saint-Martin is recognized as the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean,
- Cultural workshops, such as cooking classes, dance classes and historical tours,
- Authentic discoveries, far from mass tourism.
” We want every visitor to leave with a genuine souvenir, a sincere encounter with our region,” explains Aïda Weinum.
Raising awareness among the local population is also a major challenge, so that everyone becomes a player in this dynamic of upscale hospitality.
🎯 Aïda Weinum’s ambition is to establish Saint-Martin as a refined, human cruise destination, firmly rooted in its Caribbean identity.
A port for customized excellence
Ellis Albéric, Managing Director of the Établissement Portuaire de Saint-Martin, confirms this differentiating strategy on the French side.
The port welcomes only small-capacity vessels, up to 750 passengers, giving priority to :
- A human-scale approach,
- A quality stopover, without saturation,
- Personalized support for tourist flows.
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” Our aim is not to compete with the big ports, but to offer a high-end alternative to companies and passengers alike,” stresses Ellis Albéric.
With a strong season from mid-November to May and growth of over 20%, the port plans to :
- Platform expansion,
- Dredging the channel to make it easier to accommodate certain units,
- Maintaining quality standards in port and tourist services.
🎯 Ellis Albéric’s vision: to make Saint-Martin an exceptional stopover for customers in search of authenticity and refinement.
Saint-Martin, a destination of excellence
At Seatrade Cruise Global 2025, Saint-Martin (French part) demonstrated that authenticity and high standards can be the best allies of an ambitious tourism strategy.
By combining gastronomy, culture, tailor-made hospitality and port excellence, the island confirms its ambition: to remain true to its identity while offering visitors a rare and precious experience in the Caribbean.
