WILLEMSTAD – September 21, 2026 – The Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), in close collaboration with the Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA), organized the second edition of the Shore to Ship Symposium & Workshop. The two-day symposium began on September 21 under the theme Where experience creates impact. The event brought together 95 participants, including professionals who work directly with cruise visitors. Regional industry leaders also joined the symposium as speakers, sharing their expertise and perspective on how enhancing the cruise visitor experience can create greater value for Curaçao and the Caribbean cruise industry as a whole. The keynote speaker Ms. Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), addressed the topic The Future Cruise Guest: Expectations, Experiences & Destination Value. During the opening of the symposium, CTB Managing Director, Mr. Muryad de Bruin also delivered remarks highlighting the importance of collaboration in enhancing the experience for cruise visitors.
In her keynote address, Ms. Regis-Prosper (CTO) discussed the evolving expectations of today’s cruise travelers and outlined three key pillars for Curaçao’s cruise future: keeping the visitor experience simple, making it memorable, and ensuring it remains authentically Curaçao. The program continued with an expert panel that brought together perspectives from the tourism, port, and cruise industries in Curaçao, Aruba, and St. Maarten. Panelists represented the Port St. Maarten Group, Aruba Ports Authority, Curaçao Ports Authority, Taber Tours/Fun Bini, and CTB.
The second part of the day featured two workshops led by the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, with participation from tour guides, drivers, excursion companies, representatives of tourist attractions, and other tourism professionals. The Mastering Challenges in Guest Experiences workshop provided participants with practical approaches for handling challenging situations, while Diversity & Inclusion in Guest Experience focused on understanding and responding to the diverse needs of today’s visitors. A third workshop, The Art of Storytelling’, will take place the following day and will focus on using storytelling to create stronger connections with visitors and make their Curaçao experience more memorable. Participants will receive a certificate recognized by the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence.
