Falmouth Cruise Port accepts world's largest cruise vessel

'Oasis of the Seas' arrives today

Today, the historic Falmouth Cruise Ship Port will welcome the world's largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, with more than 8,000 passengers aboard.

The arrival of the ship marks a new era in Jamaica's cruise-shipping industry. The Falmouth Cruise Port was developed by the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Limited (RCCL). The PAJ's investment in the development project is estimated at US$167 million, along with RCCL's US$102 million (with US$46 million in the first phase).

The port boasts modern high-tech facilities which have surpassed global standards and have met the navigational requirements for docking the world's largest cruise ships. It also has the capacity to handle at least two mega ships concurrently.

Upon completion, the components of this state-of-art facility will include a terminal building, which houses customs, immigration and port security. While other areas will include restaurant services, retail shops, as well as a transportation centre. Subsequent phases will include on-site attractions, cultural experiences, hotel and residential developments.

30,000 visitors received

Since the inaugural visit of Voyager of the Seas last month, this facility has received approximately 30,000 cruise ship passengers from other Royal Caribbean Cruise liners. There is also a significant amount of forward bookings for the rest of the year.

The PAJ is continuing its thrust towards enhancing Jamaica as the leading cruise destination in the Caribbean, having triumphed in the World Gala section of the World Travel Awards by being voted the world's Leading Cruise Destination in November last year. Jamaica also took home the Caribbean Travel Awards for the Caribbean's Leading Cruise Destination and the Caribbean's Leading Port (Ocho Rios).