Aruba Posts Double-Digit Increase in Cruise Visitors

Aruba in 2008 saw an increase of 13.4 percent in the number of arriving cruise passengers compared to 2007. In 2008, Aruba welcomed 556,090 cruise passengers, compared to 481,775 in 2007.

Including the crew, the total number of cruise guests was 800,000, a 13 percent increase. Top producers for Aruba were Royal Caribbean International and Holland America Line.

Aruba welcomed 131 cruise ship visits in the port of Oranjestad, including 13 maiden calls. Over the past 10 years, Aruba experienced a 54 percent increase in cruise visitation. The island said the outlook for 2009 is also “positive and healthy.”