Guyanese-owned cruise ship targets cross-country, regional travel

The ‘One Freedom: Guyana Glory’ passenger cruise ship, owned by Guyanese businessman Larry Singh, is aiming to expand its operations as part of a broader push to support cross-country and regional travel, while complementing the government’s efforts to diversify the nation’s tourism offerings.

At present, the vessel offers ad hoc and specially-curated tours, with plans to introduce structured weeknight and weekend packages such as dinners and overnight options.

“I am looking to actually go all around Guyana; to Bartica, Supenaam, Wakenaam, Leguan, Linden, Skeldon, and New Amsterdam,” Singh told this publication.

“And maybe eventually, end of the year, I will probably go to Trinidad and Barbados,” the businessman added, noting that the boat has the capacity “to go anywhere”.

Singh said the initiative is intended to showcase Guyana’s natural beauty, heritage, and waterways, while providing safe and accessible travel options for both locals and visitors.

“My vision is to let people, Guyanese and overseas, explore Guyana waters,” he remarked.

The biggest challenge, however, is portage – something which he hopes can be addressed through collaboration with authorities.

“It’s just that the logistics of getting the passenger on and getting the passenger off at a certain time, that’s what’s holding me up…It’s like you got a car [but] you have no roads,” he explained.

On Wednesday, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, conducted an assessment onboard the vessel during a breathtaking journey across the Demerara River and into the Atlantic Ocean.

She was accompanied by the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Kamrul Baksh and team, along with officers from the Ministry’s Department of Commerce. The engagement focused on exploring opportunities to package river-based tourism experiences and strengthen connections between the travel trade and local tour operators.

“The assessment forms part of ongoing efforts to diversify Destination Guyana’s tourism product,” the ministry said, adding that the ship’s amenities offer “a promising platform for the development of Demerara River cruises and charter experiences.”

The vessel, built in 2007 and rebuilt in 2018, arrived in Guyana from Boston, Massachusetts in 2024 and can accommodate up to 125 passengers. It features 46 self-contained, double-occupancy rooms, a full-service kitchen and bar, a gym, and open deck space. Currently, the cruise ship employs about 20 Guyanese.

Just a few days ago, the Tourism Minister explained that Guyana is positioning itself as an emerging hub for cruise tourism, particularly expedition cruises. “That’s one of the things that I’m pushing really hard for 2026 and going forward, is to encourage more expedition cruises to come to Guyana. We don’t have the draft for the major cruise lines. That is just a natural result of our geography. But we can accommodate the small expedition cruises,” she had noted.

She had also disclosed that an expedition cruise is already scheduled to dock in Guyana in March.

Guyana aiming to become key destination for expedition cruises – Rodrigues