Croisieres de France’s (CDF) Caribbean homeport for next winter is still undecided, as a result of the recent strikes in Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“We are waiting to see what happens, but we are hoping for Martinique, because of the built-in local market,” said Nicholas Sharp, managing director.

The line is currently sailing in the Caribbean out of La Romana with the 1981-built, 750-passenger Bleu de France (ex-Holiday Dream, Europa).

Itineraries are expected to include a northbound program (out of Martinique), calling at Tortola, St. Barts, St. Maarten, Antigua and St. Lucia; and a southbound itinerary, calling at Margarita Island, Grenada, Barbados, Mayreau, and Guadeloupe, Sharp said.

During the summer, CDF sails seven-day cruises from Marseilles.

Among dedicated French cruise operators, 2009’s annual passenger capacity is approximately 63,000, of which CDF accounts for more than 50 percent, or 32,250 passengers.