Epic Carnival Cruise Ship Experience has reported an estimated TT$35 million in revenue for Carnival 2025.
The estimated TT$35 million in revenue generated was through participant activities, including fete attendance, multiple mas band participation, and nationwide transportation services.
Announcing the results of this year’s Epic Carnival experience at Queen’s Hall, Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Mack said they continue to export Trinidad and Tobago to the world.
Aiming to improve accommodation for tourists and locals during the Carnival season, the cruise ship had 1,500 passengers on board this year.
“So not only are we bringing culture and exporting Trinidad, we are actually bringing real revenue into our country and we know there’s exchange rates problems, getting US dollars, people spend US dollars in Trinidad and Tobago. So, Epic is providing value for our country.”
In operation since 2015, the Epic Carnival Experience Cruise has seen growth, and Mr. Mack believes that through collaboration, the promotion of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture continues to thrive.
“I would like and I have been having conversations already with Angostura, Carib, Caribbean Airlines, NCC, Tourism, Tobago Tourism, where I would like to export Trinidad as a whole, so that everybody is not operating in silos, but we’re all working in synergy to export Trinidad in a way that will carry us to the next level of tourism.”
Stating that the Port Authority does more than just oversee the movements of cruise ships, CEO of the Port of Spain Infrastructure Company (POSINCO), Lenin Oliviere, said the collaboration with Epic Carnival has expanded the ways in which they could directly contribute to tourism.
“When Mr. Mack came up with the idea of hear what, let us bring a vessel alongside and for Carnival truly export the culture of Trinidad and Tobago, we immediately saw that as yes, this is one way of the Port contributing to the development of tourism within Trinidad and Tobago.”
Despite operating under a State of Emergency, Assistant Commissioner of Police Collis Hazel said they successfully secured Carnival and enhanced the experience for tourists, leaving a lasting impression.
“All our visitors alike on that cruise ship, can now go back to their respective destinations throughout the world and to sell our Carnival as one of being a safe and secure venture that will see other persons coming to the destinations.”
Coined as ‘Trinidad’s Premium All-Inclusive Carnival Experience,’ the Epic Carnival Experience 2025 on board Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Rhapsody of the Seas docked in Port of Spain at the end of February and left Trinidad and Tobago on March 7th.