The Caribbean Cruise Trade Mission 2026: A Journey That Confirmed the Caribbean Is Ready

About a year ago, we first heard about the Caribbean Cruise Trade Mission, an initiative by the Curaçao Ministry of Economic Affairs, VBC Curaçao, and CINEX.

At that same time, we were laying the foundation for the One Caribbean Business Network Foundation — with a vision to expand across the Caribbean by building meaningful connections and creating opportunities through collaboration.

When the details of the cruise became clearer, we realized something:

The timing couldn’t have been better.

Setting Sail Into the Unknown

Before boarding, we didn’t fully know what to expect.

We knew we would visit eight islands:

• Barbados

• Guadeloupe

• Martinique

• Antigua & Barbuda

• Sint Maarten

• British Virgin Islands

• Saint Kitts & Nevis

• Saint Lucia

  
  

We knew there would be meetings, presentations, and opportunities to connect.

But beyond that — it was largely unknown.

We arrived at the terminal excited, curious, and ready.

In hindsight, we had no idea just how impactful this journey would become.

We were part of a delegation of just over 20 participants, representing VBC, the Curaçao Ministry of Economic Affairs, CINEX, and several individual companies.

Eight Islands. Eight Conversations. One Shared Energy.

After one day at sea, our first stop was Barbados.

The room was filled with curious and engaged participants, and thanks to a welcoming introduction from the Small Business Association, conversations started quickly. It was a strong and promising start to our trade mission, even though we barely had time to see the island beyond the meeting room.

Next came Guadeloupe — and we’ll be honest, expectations were modest due to the perceived language barrier.

But wow… did Guadeloupe deliver.

We had some of the most interesting conversations of the entire trip. We met people building purposeful, impactful businesses, and the interest in networking and collaboration was immense.

Guadeloupe was a surprise in the best possible way.

Then came Martinique, which brought the same energy — curiosity, openness, and genuine excitement about what we are building.

Antigua & Barbuda followed with engaging discussions and strong interest, setting the tone for the rest of the cruise.

Then came Sint Maarten, and the welcome we received there was incredible.

We connected with the Chamber of Commerce, met inspiring individuals, and even had the opportunity to finally meet someone in person we had previously only known online.

That moment perfectly captured what this journey was about:

Turning connections into real relationships.

The British Virgin Islands meeting took place on a Saturday, and we truly appreciated people showing up during the weekend. It was more relaxed, but still very impactful.

Saint Kitts & Nevis was absolutely fantastic.Despite it being a Sunday, the turnout and enthusiasm were incredible. We even managed a short tour — a reminder of how beautiful and diverse our region truly is.

By the time we reached our final stop, Saint Lucia, we were exhausted.

But even then — the conversations, the interest, and the connections continued.

To say this journey was intense would be an understatement.

Every single day meant a new island, a new culture, and new conversations — all while refining our message along the way.

The Biggest Surprise

What surprised us most was the response.

We went on this cruise thinking we would introduce OCBN, maybe spark some interest, and hopefully come back with a few leads.

Instead, we returned with:

✨ Strong interest across multiple islands

✨ Potential ambassadors

✨ Meaningful collaboration opportunities

✨ A growing network across the region

The response was overwhelming — in the best possible way.

And perhaps even more surprising?

The language barriers we were concerned about turned out to be far less significant than expected.

Because once conversations started, one thing became very clear:

We are all facing similar challenges.

We share similar ambitions.

And we are asking the same questions.

The Caribbean Is Ready

If there is one message that came through loud and clear throughout this journey, it is this:

The Caribbean is ready.

Ready to connect.

Ready to collaborate.

Ready to co-create.

And most importantly:

The time is now.

This is not something that needs to wait.

This is not something that depends solely on governments.

The reality is:

👉 Business can lead the way.

👉 Business can drive collaboration.

👉 Business can create real impact.

And that realization was powerful.

Because it confirmed something we deeply believe:

What we are building with the One Caribbean Business Network Foundation is part of the solution.

Maybe not the only solution — but absolutely one worth paying attention to.

A Delegation to Be Proud Of

Another highlight of this journey was the incredible delegation we were part of.

There were many fun moments — but also many proud ones.

We felt the support of the group.

We felt the strength of collaboration.

We felt what it means to move forward together.

A special thank you to Vanessa Tore and Sam Kruiner for their outstanding leadership, professionalism, and dedication.

Together with VBC and CINEX, they made this experience not only possible — but truly exceptional.

We are incredibly proud and grateful to have been part of it.

Curaçao Has a Role to Play

One thing this journey reinforced is something we’ve believed for a long time:

Curaçao has so much to offer the Caribbean.

There is real curiosity about what we are building, how we are doing it, and how we can work together.

And we truly believe Curaçao can play a key role in strengthening regional business connections.

The Lesson: Just Do It

If there is one lesson we are taking with us, it is simple:

Just do it.

Too often, we hesitate.

We question whether something will work in another market, culture, or language.

But this experience showed us that when there is shared vision, those barriers become much smaller.

Across every island, we heard the same message:

Let’s do it.

Let’s find a way.

Let’s build together.

Was It Worth It?

Yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

It was absolutely worth it.

Where else can you visit eight Caribbean islands in two weeks, connect with incredible people, and explore real opportunities for collaboration?

Experiences like this are rare — and incredibly valuable.

This was the first of its kind.

And we truly hope it will be the first of many.

The Journey Has Only Just Begun

This cruise was not the end.

It was the beginning.

A beginning of deeper connections.

Stronger collaborations.

And a more united Caribbean business ecosystem.

Through the One Caribbean Business Network Foundation, we are committed to continuing this journey.

Because when the islands connect, the opportunities multiply.

Connect. Collaborate. Create.