As luxury small ship cruising continues to shift toward immersive, culturally rich experiences, destinations that offer authenticity, access, and allure are quickly rising to the top of itinerary planners’ lists. One such destination making waves? The French side of Saint Martin—specifically the charming port of Marigot.
Traktek Partners is proud to be working alongside the Saint Martin Tourism Board and Port Authority to help position Marigot as anew home port for luxury cruise lines starting in 2027 and beyond. This initiative isn’t just about cruise logistics—it’s about driving long-term economic development, empowering local businesses, and showcasing the soul of Saint Martin to a growing segment of experiential travelers.
Why Marigot Makes Sense for Small Ship Cruising
Tucked on the French side of the island, Marigot offers an ideal blend of boutique charm and nautical access. Unlike some of the region’s larger, busier ports, Marigot gives cruise passengers an authentic welcome, French-Caribbean flair, and easy access to curated shore excursions that highlight the island’s unique culture and natural beauty.
From food and wine tours in Grand Case to guided visits of the historic Governeur Rhum distillery, to private beach events on Orient Bay, Anse Marcel, and Galion Beach—Marigot offers exactly what luxury cruisers are seeking: deeper immersion and curated connection.
Traktek’s Role: Connecting Destinations with Demand
Our involvement goes far beyond strategy sessions. At Traktek, we specialize in cruise marketing and tradeshow representation that drives results. With deep expertise in this sector—and experience with cruise clients including Paul Gauguin Cruises, PONANT, Scenic Cruises, Variety Cruises, and others—we’re uniquely positioned to help emerging ports like Marigot attract the right cruise partners and develop a marketing roadmap that resonates.
At recent conferences like Seatrade Cruise Global 2025, we facilitated meaningful conversations between Saint Martin’s leadership and top-tier luxury cruise lines like Emerald Cruises, PONANT, SeaDream, SeaCloud, Ritz Carlton Yachts, Four Seasons Yachts, and Orient Express Cruises. The goal? To create win-win partnerships that bring travelers—and their tourism dollars—to the French side of the island.
A Community-Driven Vision for Growth
As this initiative takes shape, local tour operators, transportation providers, retailers, and restaurants are stepping up to help design unforgettable guest experiences. This collaborative effort will help ensure that as passenger volume increases, so does the quality and authenticity of each interaction—something that small ship lines deeply value.
Traktek will continue to support these efforts through destination branding, digital marketing campaigns, tradeshow representation, and relationship-building strategies that bring the right stakeholders to the table.
Looking Ahead
With new infrastructure projects underway and strong momentum among luxury cruise brands, Marigot is on track to become a major player in the small ship cruise market. Traktek is honored to play a part in this exciting evolution—helping shape not only what passengers see, but how they feel when they step ashore.
Interested in how we help ports and cruise destinations grow their market share? Let’s talk. From cruise marketing to B2Boutreach, we know how to turn destination potential into booked itineraries—and unforgettable experiences.
