World’s Largest Vessel Headed for Falmouth Pier

MIAMI – Oasis of the Seas, described as the world's largest cruise vessel, is en route to making its inaugural stopover at the newly constructed Falmouth pier in Trelawny today, March 22.

The Royal Caribbean Cruise liner’s call will coincide with the celebration of the official opening of the Falmouth Cruise Ship Pier.  The vessel will make stops in Haiti and Mexico before returning to its house port at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

Speaking with some of the nearly 6,000 enthusiastic passengers boarding the mega ship, on March 19, before it embarked on its Caribbean voyage to Jamaica from Port Everglades Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami, Sandra Grant Griffiths briefly enlightened the tour groups about the island’s tourist attractions, and the new port development, while presenting them with souvenir flags.

John and Lynn Bosneck of Pennsylvania said they were looking forward to their first trip to the island, and moreso to the new Port.  “We heard so much about Jamaica, we are excited,” he said.

Three sisters from Chicago, Lynn, Rita, and Lara Hanna also expressed excitement as they spoke of another exciting trip to Jamaica, this time aboard the cruise liner.

Development of the new Falmouth Port is nearing completion to accommodate the 200,000 tonne, 5,400-passenger mega-liner.  Royal Caribbean is working in conjunction with the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) on the re-development of the multi-million dollar revitalisation project, a boost to the tourism industry.

Falmouth will become the fourth Jamaican port to serve the cruise industry. The phased-development project will include a themed retail shopping area, including on site attractions and displays, and a historical centre, along with added excursion options. The project also includes a dock with two berths capable of hosting two cruise ships.

Those accompanying the Consul General included Broward County Commissioner, Dale Holness; Chief of Staff of the Broward County Commission, John Beckford; Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd. management team, Santiago Scarone, Eunice Hernandez and Shorlene Crooks-Whyte; and Manager Corporate and Community Relations, Port Everglades, Ellen Kennedy.

Last week, Royal Caribbean’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Adam Goldstein expressed confidence that the outlook for the cruise industry was positive, when he addressed participants at the 27th annual Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami.

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, also spoke of visitor arrivals at its highest in Jamaica’s history, when he addressed a Jamaican Tourism initiative in London, recently.

By CHERYL WYNTER