Royal Caribbean International has announced plans to base a ship in Barbados for the first time from December 2021.

Grandeur of the Seas will sail two week-long sailings and a 14-night itinerary, taking in three new ports of call in Tobago, Trinidad and St Vincent.

The seven-day itineraries will offer late stays in Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, while the 14-day cruise will include an overnight stay in Aruba and visits to Cartagena, Colon, and Puerto Limon, among others.

Cruises will depart from Bridgetown and are now available to book.

Royal Caribbean International president and CEO Michael Bayley said: “We are excited to grow our longstanding partnership with Barbados and introduce Bridgetown as Royal Caribbean’s newest home port.

“Sailing from the heart of the Windward Islands unlocks new memorable experiences to share with family and friends in breathtaking places, such as Grenada, St Lucia, and now St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago.

“The pink-sand beaches and unexpected adventures across Barbados also make it an ideal destination for our guests to experience even more of the Caribbean charm and culture before or after their cruise.”

Barbados tourism and international transport minister Lisa Cummins added: “After the year the industry and region have had, this is a shining light to look forward to this coming winter season.

“We have wanted to see for some time more homeporting operations from Barbados, the incorporation of pre and post-stay holidays, which expose cruisers to the best Barbados has to offer and at a regional level, the development of new itineraries that elevates the cruise experience throughout the Caribbean.

“We are extremely pleased to extend the welcome mat for Grandeur of the Seas to Barbados. We are looking forward to displaying our Bajan hospitality, wide range of accommodations, rich culture, diversity of experiences, world-class cuisine, unique attractions, and especially want to share the warmth of the Barbadian people. These are the things that keep visitors coming back for more.”