Beloved cruise destination is 2026 World Cup's smallest country
A tiny island that's a sought-after destination on Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries just did something no country its size has ever done: it qualified for the FIFA World Cup. With a population of just over 150,000 - about the equivalent of a mid-sized U.S. city - this island is the smallest country by population to ever reach soccer's biggest stage.
With a tense 0-0 draw against Jamaica in November 2025, the island's national team, known as The Blue Wave, topped their World Cup qualifying group. With that win, they claimed the title of smallest World Cup country previously held by Iceland - another popular cruise destination. Iceland qualified as the smallest country in 2018 with a population more than twice as large.
Now during the 2026 World Cup, the whole world is getting a chance to fall in love with a treasured little island in the Southern Caribbean that many cruise travelers already know well: Curaçao.
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Southern Caribbean cruise destination Curaçao is smallest World Cup country
If you've ever docked in Willemstad and watched the sun hit those famous pastel facades along the waterfront, you already know there's something special about Curaçao. The way Europe and the Caribbean collide in the most beautiful way in this Southern Caribbean destination stays with you long after you've returned home.
A Dutch Caribbean island that makes up the "C" in the popular ABC islands - Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao - Curaçao is a colorful cruise destination known for its charming Dutch colonial architecture, white-sand beaches, and turquoise waters that are just as bright and refreshing as a tropical cocktail made with blue Curaçao liqueur served at a beachfront bar.
"Curaçao seems to be a cruising bucket list destination for a lot of our clients, packaged with Aruba and Bonaire," said Dennis Post of Postcard Travel Planning, Come Cruise With Me's travel agent partner. "It's usually at least an eight-day cruise as ships need extra time to transit that far south in the Caribbean. It's a fun, easy, and affordable trip from Florida for many cruisers."
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Major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises regularly call on Curaçao's capital city, Willemstad, docking at a pier conveniently located within walking distance of a UNESCO World Heritage waterfront.
"It's a vibrant, peaceful place to visit with its beautiful, historic Dutch-influenced community mixed with a Caribbean vibe, plus it's safe, clean, and easy to navigate," added Post.
Willemstad is divided into two districts, Punda and Otrobanda, connected by the Queen Emma Bridge, a unique floating pontoon bridge that swings open for passing ships. Stroll across it with a fresh stroopwafel in hand and the sparkling blue harbor framing the colorful Dutch colonial buildings ahead and you've got a picture-perfect cruise port moment you won't find anywhere else.
Curaçao is a cruise destination worth cheering for
In addition to its compelling fusion of Dutch and Caribbean cultures, Curaçao beckons cruise travelers with its gorgeous beaches like Mambo Beach, a family-friendly tropical lagoon. Adventurous cruise travelers rave about snorkeling excursions to the island's famous Tugboat Wreck, a now-thriving reef that rests in the clear, shallow waters close to shore in Caracas Bay.
For many cruise passengers, a visit to Curaçao isn't complete without sampling some authentic blue Curaçao liqueur, made with the dried, bitter peels of Laraha, known as the "Golden Orange of Curaçao."
"The liqueur is made by fermenting the dried peels of these Laraha oranges, and then dye is added creating a vibrant blue color," Post explained.
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A liqueur known worldwide, blue Curaçao is often mixed into tropical cruise cocktails, and sipping one in the place where the unique liqueur was born is a special Southern Caribbean cruise delight.
As World Cup fever takes over North America, many cruise travelers who have savored the beauty of Curaçao's blue waters, the warmth of its people, and the taste of its famous liqueur are now raising one of those favorite cruise cocktails as they cheer on The Blue Wave.
Curaçao may be the underdog in World Cup Group E - playing against Germany, Ecuador, and Côte d'Ivoire - but it's a country that punches far above its weight, both on the pitch and off. It's an island that welcomes cruise travelers to enjoy its natural beauty and experience its distinctive culture with open arms. And for those who have visited, watching Curaçao compete in the World Cup feels a bit like watching a friend finally get their big break.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
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This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 5:43 AM.