KINGSTON, Jamaica – Following an eight-year courtship spearheaded by the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), Jamaica has sealed a first-ever call by Disney Cruise Line into Jamaica’s Historic Falmouth Cruise Port beginning October 2013. The 1,754-passenger Disney Wonder will visit the island’s newest port in Falmouth as part of the ship’s latest seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary, which will launch from Galveston, Texas.
“We’re thrilled about Jamaica’s partnership with such as an established legacy brand,” said John Lynch, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “As we’re constantly seeking opportunities in an array of target markets, Disney’s arrival will further strengthen Jamaica’s positioning in the family market. Our Historic Falmouth Cruise Port was built specifically for the island to have the capacity to receive mega ships, which has resulted in substantial growth in our cruise passenger arrivals,” he added.
With yearly increases, Historic Falmouth Cruise Port welcomed approximately 412,812 visitors from January to August 2012, compared to 253,940 during the same period last year. Jamaica’s Historic Falmouth Cruise Port has won numerous awards following its opening in 2011, including a World Travel Award for “World’s Leading Tourism Development Project.” The port also helped the island win the World Travel Awards for “World’s Leading Cruise Destination,” and “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination” in 2011.
The Historic Falmouth Cruise Port officially opened in March 2011 and was a US$213 million project developed by PAJ in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Limited (RCCL). The 32-acre, two-berth pier was built to accommodate Royal Caribbean’s Genesis class ships, the newest and largest class of cruise ships. The port offers cruise passengers a new port experience, focusing on highlighting the history of the 240-year-old town of Falmouth. In addition to historic walking tours, travelers also have access to 60 attractions in the surrounding area and in nearby Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.
