MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Freedom of the Seas, the world’s largest and most modern cruise ship, made its inaugural call to Jamaica on Thursday, June 8, docking at the Montego Bay port in St. James.
Freedom of the Seas, which is the flagship of Royal Caribbean International, is scheduled to call at the tourism capital every Thursday for the next year.
Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, which made its inaugural visit to Jamaica
Minister of Housing, Transport, Water and Works, Robert Pickersgill, who was on hand to welcome the 4,000 passengers and 2,000 crew members, said that the arrival of the ship underscored the strong partnership that existed between the Jamaica Tourist Board and Royal Caribbean.
“Cruise shipping is a vital component of Jamaica’s tourism industry, which is one of the two main earners of foreign exchange for the country. We consider Royal Caribbean cruise line as not only a very important player in the sector, but indeed a partner with us in the holiday cruise arena,” the Minister said.
“I believe that the arrival in Jamaica today of Royal Caribbean’s flagship, Freedom of the Seas, which is the largest cruise line in the world, and the fact that she is scheduled to visit Montego Bay each Thursday over the next year, clearly underscores that partnership with Jamaica”, he noted, adding that, the government would continue to work closely with the company in order to strengthen the ties that have been developed.
Minister of State for Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, Dr. Wykeham McNeil, also added his words of welcome and appreciation to the crew and presented the ship captain William Wright with a welcome plaque.
The 160,000-ton vessel, which debuted in May, raises the bar on on-ship entertainment, offering guests an endless number of activities and onboard options.
Freedom of the Seas is equipped with surfing simulator, rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, multi-hued interactive sculpture garden, an H2 O zone water park, cantilevered whirlpools, boxing ring, fitness centre and theatre.
