Carnival Comes to Haiti: Cruise Line Announces a New Port
Haiti’s efforts to go from the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere to a prime tourism spot just got a huge boost.
Carnival Corporation — parent company of Carnival, Princess, Cunard and several other cruise lines — has just announced plans to build a new port on the Haitian island of Ile de la Tortue (also known as Tortuga Island). In a statement, Carnival executive David Candib says the development “will create an exciting opportunity for our guests to enjoy a new, secluded, and stunning destination.”
Carnival’s new port would compete with Royal Caribbean, the first cruise line to establish a Haitian beachhead in its popular Caribbean route. Royal Caribbean’s Labadee port in northern Haiti allows passengers to spend a day on a private beach owned by the cruise line. Activities include outdoor buffets, a beach, water sports and zip lining.
Royal Caribbean spent about $50 million developing Labadee and Carnival plans to spare no expense on its new outpost on Tortuga. Haiti’s prime minister, who’s working with Carnival on its new project, tweeted Carnival’s initial investment will be about $70 million.