AGP Executive Report

Cruise Outlook: Martinique expects 275 cruise calls in the 2026–27 season, up 12.7% from last season. The schedule includes 65 ships from 30 cruise lines, with five ships homeporting in Fort-de-France. Inter-Island Travel: FRS Express des Îles will add a temporary fuel surcharge from November 1: €5 one way or €10 return on international ferry routes serving Martinique and neighboring islands. Luxury Sailings: Aman at Sea’s Amangati has added 2028 Caribbean voyages featuring calls in Martinique, including Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet. Carnival’s 2028–29 Baltimore program will also include Martinique on longer Southern Caribbean cruises. Regional Culture: Martinique artist Maureen Voyer called her first World Creole Music Festival performance in Dominica a “very good experience” and said she hopes to see more artistic exchanges between the islands.

Cruise Growth: Martinique forecasts 275 cruise calls in 2026–27, up 12.7% on last season, with 65 ships from 30 cruise lines. Five ships will homeport in Fort-de-France, and new luxury arrivals include Four Seasons and Orient Express sailing yachts. Regional Travel: FRS Express des Îles begins a temporary fuel surcharge on Nov. 1: €5 one way or €10 return on international ferry routes, including Martinique connections. The charge will be reviewed every three months. Visitor Safety: Martinique placed fourth on World Population Review’s list of the Caribbean’s six safest destinations, behind Anguilla, Barbados and St. Barthélemy. Future Sailings: New Caribbean itineraries from Carnival and luxury yacht Amangati include Martinique stops, bringing more planned cruise visits in coming seasons.

Cruise Tourism: Martinique expects 275 cruise calls in the 2026–27 season, up 12.7% from last year. Five ships will homeport in Fort-de-France, while visits are also planned for coastal communities around the island. Regional Travel: FRS Express des Îles is adding a temporary €5 one-way surcharge to international ferry tickets from November 1, citing higher fuel costs. The fee will be reviewed every three months. Luxury Sailings: Aman at Sea’s Amangati will add Martinique stops, including Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet, to its Caribbean voyages from late 2027 into 2028. Culture: Martinique artist Maureen Voyer said her debut at Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival felt like home and called for more artistic exchange between the islands.

Regional Travel: FRS Express des Îles will add a temporary €5 one-way fuel surcharge from November 1 on international ferry routes serving Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica and Saint Lucia. The operator says the fee will be reviewed every three months. Cruise Tourism: Celebrity Constellation is set to include Martinique on Southern Caribbean cruises from Puerto Rico, while Aman at Sea’s 2027–28 itineraries feature calls in Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet. Health Research: A population-based registry study examines survival patterns and disparities among older people with blood cancers in Martinique, using data from 2008 to 2021. Arts: Martinique singer Maureen Voyer called her first performance at Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival a warm welcome and hopes artists from both islands will visit each other more often. Island Safety: Martinique ranked fourth on a 2026 list of the Caribbean’s six safest destinations, behind Anguilla, Barbados and Saint-Barthélemy.

Ferry Costs: FRS Express des Îles will add a temporary €5 one-way fuel surcharge from November 1, raising travel costs on routes serving Martinique and nearby islands. The operator says it will review the charge every three months. Cruise Tourism: New 2028–29 Carnival sailings from Baltimore will include Martinique on longer Southern Caribbean trips. Aman at Sea has also added Martinique calls, including Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet, to Amangati’s 2027–28 Caribbean season. Island Safety: Martinique placed fourth on a 2026 list of the Caribbean’s six safest destinations, behind Anguilla, Barbados and Saint-Barthélemy. Regional Culture: Martinique artist Maureen Voyer praised her first World Creole Music Festival performance in Dominica and called for more artistic exchange between the neighboring islands.

Health: A population-based study examines survival patterns among older people with blood cancers in Martinique from 2008 to 2021, addressing a gap in Caribbean health research. Cruise Tourism: Carnival has opened bookings for 2028–29 Baltimore sailings, including longer Southern Caribbean trips with calls in Martinique. Aman at Sea has also added Martinique stops to Amangati’s winter 2028 itineraries, including Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet. Telecoms: Orange says its mobile network leads performance measures in Martinique and other French overseas territories, based on the regulator’s annual service-quality study. Culture and Sport: Martinique singer Maureen Voyer praised her first World Creole Music Festival performance in Dominica and called for more artistic exchange between the islands. Saint Lucia’s women’s rugby team won the inaugural MADA Sevens in Martinique, beating Guadeloupe 24–14 in the final.

Cruise Connections: Carnival has opened bookings for 2028–29 Baltimore sailings, including longer Caribbean trips calling at Martinique. Luxury yacht Amangati is also adding Martinique stops, including Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet, to its winter 2028 Caribbean season. Regional Tourism: Martinique ranks fourth among the six safest Caribbean destinations in a new 2026 list, behind Anguilla, Barbados and Saint-Barthélemy. Health Services: Antigua’s government says it funded 38 days of specialised care for a child in Martinique as part of more than US$76,000 in medical costs. Connectivity: Orange Caraïbe says it again led mobile network performance in Martinique and other French overseas territories in the regulator’s latest quality study. Culture: Martinique artist Maureen Voyer praised her World Creole Music Festival debut in Dominica and called for more cultural exchanges between the islands.

Tourism: Anguilla’s tourism board says Martinique ranks fourth among the Caribbean’s six safest destinations in a 2026 World Population Review list. Health: Antigua’s government says it funded 38 days of specialist care for a child in Martinique as part of more than US$76,000 in medical support. Cruise Links: Aman at Sea added 12 winter 2028 voyages, with calls including Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet in Martinique. Culture: Martinique singer Voyer called her World Creole Music Festival debut in Dominica a warm welcome and urged more artistic exchanges between the islands. Mobile Service: Orange says it topped Arcep’s annual quality-of-service study in Martinique and other French overseas territories for an eighth consecutive year.

Cruise Tourism: Aman at Sea has opened bookings for 12 winter 2028 voyages aboard Amangati, with Martinique among the new Caribbean destinations. Sailings include calls at Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet. Mobile Service: Orange says its network ranked first in Arcep’s latest quality-of-service study in Martinique and other French overseas territories, based on 465,000 measurements. Regional Culture: Martinique singer Maureen Voyer called her World Creole Music Festival debut in Dominica a warm welcome and hopes to see more artistic exchanges between the islands. Overseas Affairs: France’s 2027 budget allocates €3.68 billion to overseas territories, a 10% rise that has drawn strong criticism. Babette de Rozières also denounced what she called the neglect of overseas communities. Coming Events: Gospel singer Dena Mwana is due to perform in Martinique on November 6 and 7.

Tourism: Aman at Sea has added 12 winter 2028 cruises, with calls planned at Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet in Martinique as the yacht extends its Caribbean season. Mobile Service: Orange says its network ranked highest in Arcep’s quality-of-service study in Martinique and other French overseas territories for the eighth consecutive year. Culture: Martinique singer Maureen Voyer called her World Creole Music Festival debut in Dominica a warm welcome and hopes more artists will travel between the neighbouring islands. Overseas Funding: France’s proposed 2027 overseas territories budget rises 10% to €3.68 billion, but some lawmakers say the increase masks cuts; priorities include living costs, jobs and housing.

Culture: Martinique singer Maureen Voyer called her World Creole Music Festival debut in Dominica a warm welcome and urged more artistic exchanges between the neighbouring islands. Connectivity: Orange Caraïbe says it topped Arcep’s mobile quality rankings in Martinique for the eighth straight year, based on regulator measurements. Overseas Funding: France’s proposed 2027 overseas-territories budget rises 10% to €3.68 billion, but lawmakers dispute whether it delivers a real increase in support. Tourism: Aman’s expanded Caribbean cruise season includes calls at Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet, while Costa Favolosa is scheduled to offer winter sailings from Martinique. Heritage: Martinican Jean-Luc Vigne was among 53 people of African descent granted Beninese nationality, describing the recognition as a way to reconnect with his identity.

Mobile Network: Orange says it topped Arcep’s mobile-service quality rankings in Martinique and other French overseas territories for the eighth straight year, based on 465,000 regulator measurements. Regional Sport: Saint Lucia’s women won the inaugural MADA Sevens in Martinique, beating Guadeloupe 24–14 in the final; the island’s youth team placed fifth. Overseas Budget: France’s proposed €3.68 billion budget for overseas territories is up 10%, but critics say the increase disguises cuts. The plan includes measures on living costs, jobs and housing. Culture: Martinique singer Maurane Voyer brought shatta to Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival. Congolese gospel artist Dena Mwana is scheduled to perform in Martinique on November 6 and 7. Digital Links: Work has begun in Curaçao on a submarine cable system planned to connect the island with Martinique and other Caribbean destinations; service is expected to start by the end of 2027.

Telecoms: Orange says its Caraïbe network ranked first for mobile service in Martinique for the eighth straight year, based on 465,000 regulator measurements. Cruise Tourism: Aman at Sea has added 12 winter 2028 cruises, with calls in Martinique including Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet. Regional Ties: St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew, home after stroke recovery, thanked medical teams in Martinique and Miami for their care. Diaspora: Martinican Jean-Luc Vigne received Beninese nationality in Cotonou, describing it as a way to reconnect with his roots. Creole Culture: Martinique singer Maurane Voyer brought shatta to Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival opening night. Overseas Budget: France’s proposed €3.68 billion 2027 budget for overseas territories is up 10%, but several MPs argue the increase masks cuts.

Mobile Service: Orange says its network led Arcep’s quality-of-service rankings in Martinique for the eighth consecutive year, based on regulator measurements collected from May to July. Caribbean Travel: Aman at Sea has added 12 winter 2028 cruises, including calls at Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet. Regional Health: St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew thanked medical teams in Martinique and Miami for supporting his recovery from a stroke. Heritage: Martinican Jean-Luc Vigne was among 53 people of African descent granted Beninese nationality in Cotonou, describing the recognition as a way to reconnect with his identity. Overseas Affairs: Babette de Rozières renewed her criticism of France’s treatment of overseas territories, including Martinique, and urged residents to make their voices heard at the ballot box. France’s proposed 2027 overseas-territories budget has risen 10% to €3.68 billion, but some lawmakers say the increase masks cuts. Creole Culture: Martinique singer Maurane Voyer brought shatta to Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival.

Health: St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew returned home after stroke rehabilitation, thanking medical teams in Martinique and Miami for their care. Culture: Martinique singer Maurane Voyer brought shatta to Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival, celebrating the islands’ shared Creole culture. Tourism: Aman at Sea added Martinique stops, including Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet, to its Amangati Caribbean cruises planned for 2028. Overseas Affairs: France’s proposed 2027 budget for overseas territories rises 10% to €3.68 billion, but lawmakers say the increase masks funding cuts. Regional councilor Babette de Rozières also denounced the neglect of overseas territories and urged residents to make their voices heard. Heritage: Martinican Jean-Luc Vigne was among 53 people granted Beninese nationality, describing the recognition as a way to reconnect with his identity.

Martinique Connections: Martinican Jean-Luc Vigne was among 53 Afro-descendants granted Beninese nationality in Cotonou, describing the recognition as a way to reconnect with his identity. Cruise Tourism: Aman at Sea added Martinique to its 2028 Caribbean itineraries, including calls at Saint-Pierre and Anse d’Arlet. Costa Favolosa also plans winter cruises with departures from Martinique. Overseas Budget: France’s proposed 2027 budget for overseas territories rises 10% to €3.68 billion, but some lawmakers say the increase disguises cuts; priorities include living costs, jobs, housing and water supplies. Creole Culture: Martinican singer Maurane Voyer brought shatta to the opening night of Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival. Regional Connectivity: A planned submarine cable linking Curaçao with Martinique and other Caribbean islands is expected to strengthen internet capacity when it enters service in 2027.