WILLEMSTAD – Rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela are beginning to have a visible impact on Curaçao’s tourism sector, as the island was skipped this week by a major cruise ship.
The Norwegian Epic, carrying approximately 4,200 passengers and 1,700 crew members, did not call at Curaçao on Tuesday as scheduled. The cruise ship sailed past the island, marking what appears to be the first concrete tourism-related disruption linked to the growing geopolitical tensions in the region.
According to information provided, the official reason given was the presence of military exercises or operations at sea near the vessel’s planned route. Cruise officials emphasized that the decision was made out of an abundance of caution and does not indicate the existence of a direct or immediate threat.
The Norwegian Epic departed from Aruba earlier this week and was en route to Barbados when it bypassed Curaçao. Local stakeholders have expressed concern for some time that escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas could begin to deter visitors, particularly as Curaçao enters the start of its peak tourism season.
Tourism plays a central role in Curaçao’s economy, and cruise arrivals represent a significant source of visitor spending. While this is a single incident, industry observers warn that continued geopolitical uncertainty in the southern Caribbean could influence travel decisions by cruise lines and tourists alike if the situation persists.
Authorities and tourism officials are closely monitoring developments to assess whether further disruptions may follow in the coming weeks.