The country recently hosted its fifth annual Tourism Safety and Security Meeting at the Grenada Board of Tourism, with tourism officials, police and members of the GBT gathering to discuss issues relating to the safety and security of the island in advance of the cruise season.

Government officials this week inaugurated the 2013-2014 cruise ship season amid expectations for 17 fewer cruise ship arrivals than last year. The Island Princess is one of 59 cruise ships that will dock in Costa Rica's Caribbean port of Limón during the cruise season, which ends on May 30, 2014. Courtesy of Casa Presidencial

Disney Cruise Line has committed to docking a larger ship in Falmouth, Trelawny, but this hinges on Jamaica's delivery of quality guest experience. In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Gleaner last week, Disney's director of global port operations and developments, Russell Daya, said it took his company 10 years to do business with Jamaica because of the island's perception in the marketplace.

Crystal Cruises has set four new Wine & Food-themed luxury cruises for 2014. New to the program next year will be new guest chef-prepared Vintage Room dinners on each of the four sailings.

Engineers from Titan-Micoperi consortium are to start work on stabilizing Costa Concordia to ensure it can withstand the adverse winter weather conditions in Giglio, Italy.