AGP Executive Report

Cruise Disruption: Norwegian Viva has canceled 7-night sailings from San Juan between Jan. 2, 2028 and July 23, 2028, citing port availability changes and offering refunds or future cruise incentives. Airport Resilience: FEMA released $5 million for backup generators at Puerto Rico’s main airport, aiming to strengthen operations during outages. Health Funding Push: Puerto Rico lawmakers are heading to Washington to lobby to preserve Medicaid funding levels beyond Sept. 30, 2027, including keeping the 76% federal reimbursement rate that supports the Vital Plan for 1.5M+ residents. Travel Safety Watch: A Frontier flight from San Juan to Chicago was diverted to Miami due to a passenger disturbance, part of a broader rise in unruly passenger incidents in 2026. Local Culture & Travel Buzz: A viral “Puerto Rico Song” by TikTok creator saxboybilly18 is getting mainstream attention, while Bad Bunny’s Madrid residency continues to spotlight Puerto Rican music globally.

Cruise Boom: Puerto Rico logged 1,360,937 cruise passengers in the 2025-2026 winter season (Nov–Apr), up 43% year over year, with 515 cruise operations and port calls (+34.1%). Travel Disruption: A Frontier flight from San Juan to Chicago O’Hare was diverted to Miami late Sunday after a passenger disturbance, with the aircraft landing safely. Air Access for Summer: Tradewind Aviation will add limited “Christmas in July” flights from San Juan to Virgin Gorda (July 19–26), extending service into the low season with a week of island events. Local Health Funding: Puerto Rico lawmakers head to Washington to lobby to preserve Medicaid funding levels, aiming to keep the 76% federal reimbursement rate that supports the Vital Plan for 1.5M+ residents. Coastal Watch: NOAA-backed reporting highlights rising sargassum impacts across the Caribbean, with researchers using satellite tools to forecast where seaweed may wash up next. On-the-Ground Safety: CBP says it used air-disabling fire to stop a drug smuggling boat near San Juan, recovering about 391 pounds of cocaine.

Medicaid Deadline Push: Puerto Rico lawmakers are heading to Washington to protect the island’s Medicaid funding levels, aiming to keep the 76% federal reimbursement rate that supports the Vital Plan for 1.5M+ residents. Puerto Rican Week Culture: The mayor of Cali, Colombia, Alejandro Eder, is set to join the Puerto Rican Day Parade and related events after an invitation from Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez. Cruise Boom: Puerto Rico logged 1,360,937 cruise passengers in the 2025-2026 winter season, up 43%, with 515 cruise operations and more port calls. Airport Resilience: FEMA is releasing $5,014,600 for backup generators at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to keep operations running during outages. On-the-Water Enforcement: U.S. Customs stopped a drug smuggling boat near San Juan, seizing about 391 pounds of cocaine and arresting three crew members. Travel Inspiration: A World’s Best Beaches list put Anguilla’s Shoal Bay East at No. 1 in North America, reinforcing the Caribbean pull for beach travelers.

Cruise Boom: Puerto Rico’s winter cruise season just hit new highs, with 1,360,937 passengers in Old San Juan (up 43%) and 515 cruise operations/calls (up 34.1%), signaling strong confidence from major lines. Airport Resilience: FEMA approved $5,014,600 for backup generators at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to keep the island’s main gateway running during outages and emergencies. Safety & Enforcement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped a cocaine smuggling attempt near Puerto Rico, seizing about 391 pounds after an air-disabling fire disabled the vessel and three people were taken into custody. Regional Air Shifts: Caribbean Airlines’ withdrawal from St. Kitts and Nevis is sparking rapid partner talks, with officials saying the government wasn’t consulted—an important reminder for travelers watching Caribbean route changes. Travel Tech for Pet Owners: PadsPass CEO Lauren Anders Brown will speak at Caribbean Week NYC on pet-travel compliance tools designed to reduce paperwork stress for international trips. Beach Inspiration: A global “best beaches” list crowned Anguilla’s Shoal Bay East No. 1 in North America, a useful spark for Puerto Rico travelers planning their next Caribbean escape.

FEMA Funding for Airport Resilience: Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández met with Carolina Mayor José Carlos Aponte Dalmau to discuss reconstruction and FEMA delays, highlighting $5,014,600 in federal funds for backup generators at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to keep the island’s main gateway running during outages. Cruise Boom in Old San Juan: Puerto Rico closed its 2025-2026 winter cruise season with record momentum—1,360,937 passengers in Old San Juan (up about 43%) and 515 cruise operations/calls (up 34.1%), signaling strong demand for the cruise hub. Hurricane Season Readiness Watch: A broader report notes FEMA is stretched thin heading into hurricane season, raising concerns about disaster response capacity—an issue directly tied to travel planning and safety for visitors. Travel Safety & Security: U.S. Coast Guard and partners apprehended eight stowaways in San Juan Harbor, underscoring ongoing maritime security activity around the port. Pet-Friendly Travel Push: PadsPass CEO Lauren Anders Brown will speak at Caribbean Week in New York (June 2) on digital tools to streamline international pet travel compliance—good news for travelers bringing animals. Weather Alert for the Region: Saharan dust is expected to reach Puerto Rico around June 1-2, with guidance for sensitive groups due to respiratory discomfort.

Cruise Boom: Puerto Rico just logged one of its strongest winter cruise seasons ever, with 1.36M passengers in Old San Juan (up ~43%) and 515 ship calls/operations (up ~34%) from Nov. 2025–Apr. 2026, signaling continued momentum for the island’s cruise hub. Pet-Friendly Travel: PadsPass CEO Lauren Anders Brown will speak at Caribbean Week in New York on June 2, pitching a digital system to streamline international pet travel paperwork and health-document verification for airlines, hotels, and travelers. Weather Watch: Saharan dust is expected to reach Puerto Rico around June 1–2, with a broader plume and possible discomfort for sensitive groups, as NOAA-style hurricane season concerns ramp up. On-the-Ground Safety: The Coast Guard and partners apprehended eight stowaways in San Juan Harbor after a barge boarding, transferring them to CBP for processing. Local Sports: The Women’s Softball Premier League kicks off Friday with the Bravas of Cidra hosting the Leonas of Ponce in a headline opener. Travel Disruption Note: A missing cruise hiker search continues in St. Kitts’ Mount Liamuiga area, a reminder to plan carefully for rugged terrain during port calls.

Cruise Boom: Puerto Rico just closed its 2025-2026 winter cruise season with record momentum—1.36M passengers in Old San Juan (+43%) and 515 ship calls/operations (+34.1%), signaling growing confidence from major cruise lines. Pet-Friendly Travel: PadsPass CEO Lauren Anders Brown will speak at Caribbean Week in New York (June 2) about digital tools that streamline international pet travel paperwork and compliance. Travel Safety Watch: Puerto Rico’s National Weather Service is flagging Saharan dust arriving June 1-2, with sensitive groups warned about respiratory discomfort. San Juan Harbor Security: Coast Guard and partners intercepted eight stowaways (four Chinese, four Dominican) aboard an inbound barge being towed into San Juan Harbor. Tourism Tech: T-Mobile launched “Live Translation” beta, enabling real-time phone call translation in 80+ languages for customers on the network. Local Sports & Community: The Women’s Softball Premier League kicks off Friday with Cidra’s Bravas hosting Ponce’s Leonas in a headline rematch. Outdoor & Beach Caution: NOAA-style reminders echo across the region—rip currents remain a major risk for beachgoers, including in Puerto Rico.

Cruise Boost for San Juan: Puerto Rico inaugurated Pan American Pier 2 after a $40 million investment, aiming to make the island a bigger Caribbean cruise hub by adding about 200,000 tourists and $41M+ in cruise-linked economic activity for 2026-2027. Local Governance & Tourism Spending: Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez unveiled a $112.2M municipal budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, with allocations spanning public safety, economic development, tourism, and infrastructure. Outdoor & Adventure Picks: If you’re planning hikes, Puerto Rico’s “caves and coastlines” style options are getting attention, with a roundup highlighting 7 Puerto Rico hikes. Policy Watch: The ACLU of Puerto Rico urged lawmakers to reject House Bill 25, arguing it would weaken coastal protections and favor private development over public environmental safeguards. Travel Culture Buzz: “The Puerto Rico Song” by Saxboy Billy keeps going viral, with celebrities and influencers helping fuel the trend. Sports on the Island: The 2026 Women’s Softball Premier League kicks off Friday in Cidra, with the Bravas defending back-to-back titles against the Leonas of Ponce.

Cruise & Port Boost: Puerto Rico inaugurated the Pan American Pier 2 in San Juan after a $40M investment, aiming to make the island a stronger Caribbean cruise hub and add 200,000 tourists plus $41M in cruise-related economic activity for 2026-2027. Local Budget Watch: Ponce unveiled a historic $112.2M municipal budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, with funding priorities spanning public safety, housing, economic development, tourism, and infrastructure. Tourism Policy Debate: The ACLU of Puerto Rico urged lawmakers to reject House Bill 25, arguing it would weaken coastal protections by redefining the maritime-terrestrial zone in favor of private development. Travel Culture Buzz: “The Puerto Rico Song” keeps going viral, with “Saxboy Billy” explaining it started as short travel-content lyrics turned into catchy music via Suno—and celebrities helped push it further. World Cup Travel Context: A Haiti player based in Port-au-Prince is still awaiting a U.S. visa to join the squad in Florida, highlighting how travel rules can disrupt Caribbean sports plans.

Cruise Boost: Puerto Rico officials inaugurated San Juan’s Pan American Pier 2 after a $40M investment, aiming to make the island a more competitive Caribbean cruise hub and add 200,000 tourists plus $41M in cruise-related economic activity for 2026-2027. Tourism Growth: New data shows Puerto Rico’s international momentum is rising fast—2025 saw a 16% jump in available international air seats, with big gains from Spain, Colombia, and Mexico, and tourism marketing targeting about 10 new direct routes for 2026. Coastal Protection Fight: The ACLU of Puerto Rico is urging lawmakers to reject House Bill 25, saying a proposed maritime-terrestrial zone redefinition would weaken coastal protections and favor private development over public and constitutional environmental safeguards. Hurricane Preparedness: NOAA’s National Hurricane Center is updating the hurricane cone for this season to include inland watches and warnings for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, plus clearer shading to help communities prepare earlier. Travel Tech: Southwest Airlines selected CarTrawler to upgrade its car rental booking experience across digital channels, including service to Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Tourism Growth: Puerto Rico is seeing a new surge in international travel, with 2025 showing a 16% jump in available air seats and big gains from Spain (+20%), Colombia (+54%), and Mexico (+54%), translating into higher arrivals for Europe (+23%), South America (+47%), and Spain (+116%); the tourism team is also working to secure about 10 new direct international routes for 2026. On-the-Ground Travel Ideas: Looking for summer plans? A guide highlights Puerto Rico’s best “food and adventure” picks, including hikes like El Yunque’s trails and waterfall routes, plus rum distillery tours and other outdoor experiences. Culture Meets Screen: Filming is underway in Puerto Rico for “Cuba, Paraíso,” with Courtney Clarke and Rafael De La Fuente joining the cast as production taps local talent. Health & Travel Watch: A new report says U.S. dengue cases in 2024 were up 359%, with nearly all linked to travel—often tied to the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Connectivity Upgrade: American Airlines plans to install Starlink on 500+ planes starting in 2027, a potential boost for travelers across its Caribbean network. Local Spotlight: A Puerto Rico-built “Puerto Rico Song” is going viral, and the tourism board is reportedly flying the creator down to shoot a video.

Air Connectivity Boost: Air Transat is adding two seasonal Quebec City routes to France—Marseille starts May 21 (weekly Thursdays) and Nantes begins June 2 (weekly Tuesdays), with both set to run into October and Nantes returning briefly for winter. Puerto Rico Tourism Momentum: Discover Puerto Rico says the island is heading into summer with record-breaking demand—hotel room nights booked 9–16% ahead of last year through July, plus stronger first-quarter lodging demand (+8% year over year). Health Care Pressure Point: Puerto Rico’s Senate probe says insurers owe the Puerto Rico Medical Center in Río Piedras $16 million, pushing calls for tighter oversight and more consistent payment rules. Caribbean Travel Reality Check: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes in a network overhaul, including withdrawing service to St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica as it targets only “economically viable” lines. Local Spotlight: A Puerto Rican national team call-up went to Greely High’s Aidan Melville, adding fresh buzz for fans ahead of international matches.

Viral Tourism Boost: A Pittsburgh native’s catchy “Puerto Rico Song” has gone national, and Puerto Rico’s tourism board is flying him down to shoot a multi-day video—turning a sobriety-and-Pirates obsession into a real travel moment. Air Connectivity: American Airlines plans to install Starlink Wi‑Fi on 500+ narrowbody planes starting in early 2027, a big upgrade for its Caribbean-heavy network. Summer Travel Pulse: Discover Puerto Rico says Q1 delivered record momentum, with hotel room nights already booked 9–16% higher than last year through July. Local Health Watch: Puerto Rico’s Senate says insurers owe the Puerto Rico Medical Center $16 million, with lawmakers pushing to standardize payment rates and tighten oversight. Trade & Jobs: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón reports Puerto Rico–Spain trade hit about $4.39B in 2025, and new Spanish projects have generated 2,000+ jobs.

Puerto Rico Tourism Surge: Discover Puerto Rico says Q1 2026 delivered record momentum, with lodging demand up 8% year-over-year and forward bookings showing 9–16% more hotel room nights reserved through July than last year—promising a strong summer even as some travelers shop around. Airline Shake-Up: The island’s travel question keeps circling back to Spirit Airlines’ sudden exit, which is already reshaping routes and pricing. World Cup Travel Disruption: Saudi defender Saud Abdulhamid’s passport was stolen in Amsterdam, delaying his arrival for training camps that include a friendly vs. Puerto Rico. Luxury Travel Buzz: Four Seasons announced the first 2028 Private Jet Experience journeys, including a stop at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico. Culture & Community: Vieques activist Ismael Guadalupe Ortiz, a longtime voice against Navy bombing, died at 82.

Airline Shake-Up: JetBlue says it will cut “underperforming” routes this summer and redeploy planes to grow in Florida—meaning no flights from Manchester-Boston, plus cuts from Hartford, Providence, and five routes out of Newark. World Cup Travel Headache: Saudi defender Saud Abdulhamid’s passport was stolen in Amsterdam, delaying his arrival for training in the U.S., where the squad is set to face Puerto Rico in friendlies. Puerto Rico Tourism Angle: With Spirit’s sudden shutdown and airfare volatility after the Iran war, some travelers are shifting away from Puerto Rico—though Bad Bunny’s Europe run is still boosting interest in the island. Local Policy Watch: A Puerto Rico legislative package aims to modernize and regulate fishing, including a proposed Puerto Rico Fisheries Code to unify rules across commercial, recreational, and aquaculture. On-the-Water Safety: The U.S. Coast Guard rescued seven after a boat breakdown 22 miles off New Smyrna Beach.

Tourism Pressure Check: A new report says more travelers are “saying goodbye” to Puerto Rico vacations in 2026, pointing to higher airfare after the Iran-related Strait of Hormuz disruption and the Spirit Airlines exit, plus knock-on effects from global costs—so even with Puerto Rico’s record streak in 2025, early 2026 air traffic is down about 2.2% (Jan–Apr). Getting Around by Sea: On a brighter note for visitors, HMS Ferries says ridership is up more than 7% in the first four months of 2026, with 706,000+ passengers and nearly 43,000 vehicles, and 95% average on-time performance. Regional Airline Shake-Up: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes after $128M in losses from its 2023 expansion, including ending Trinidad–Puerto Rico and withdrawing from Dominica and St. Kitts effective June 1—another reminder that schedules can change fast. Culture & Buzz: Bad Bunny’s Europe run is also boosting Puerto Rico interest abroad, with Spanish business owners reporting surges tied to his concerts.