A testament to the growing infrastructure and continuing appeal of St. Kitts as a vibrant, authentic Caribbean destination for leisure tourism, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority today announces that the Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s newest and largest Oasis-class cruise ship, will be calling at the island’s Port Zante cruise pier on December 30, 2011.

The announcement follows shortly after a round of sales promotion calls to Florida-based cruise lines by a delegation led by Tourism Minister, Senator Ricky Skerritt.

“Royal Caribbean International is delighted to bring the world-renowned Allure of the Seas to St. Kitts,” said Michael Ronan, vice president of Government Relations, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “While Allure of the Seas is the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship, the ship’s ports of call are also very important to our guests. We look forward to bringing more of them to beautiful and vibrant St. Kitts.”

“I am proud of the fact that St. Kitts has been making great strides forward in the cruise industry,” said Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of Tourism & International Transport.

“Our arrival numbers have increased steadily over the past four years and I am especially pleased that the passenger satisfaction level for our destination has also been on the increase. The upcoming visit to St. Kitts by the newest and largest ship in the world, Allure of the Seas, will be a very special event for our destination.”

Royal Caribbean ships are currently scheduled to make a total of 45 port calls to St. Kitts in the 2011-2012 season, up from 20 calls in the 2010-2011 season. In the 2009-2010 cruise season, St. Kitts passed the half million passenger arrival mark for the first time in its history.