Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
Internationally-acclaimed reggae superstar, Orville 'Shaggy' Burrell, entertains guests and crew of Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, which made its inaugural visit to Montego Bay, St. James, yesterday. - NOEL THOMPSON/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER.
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE ISLAND is poised to receive an additional 100,000 cruise ship passengers in the next six months from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's (RCCL) mega liner Freedom of the Seas, pushing the arrival figures to record-breaking numbers.
The economic spin-off from this one ship is estimated at US$10 million (J$650 million).
Standing upright on its bow, the futuristic boat, the world's largest, made its historic maiden call on the tourism capital, Montego Bay, St. James, yesterday morning, carrying over 4,000 visitors and 2,000 crew members.
EIGHT PER CENT INCREASE
"Already, we are seeing an increase of eight per cent for the first quarter of 2006," an elated William Tatham, vice-president of cruise shipping and marina operations at the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), told The Gleaner.
According to him, the fact that the most high-profile ship in the world had elected Montego Bay as one of its preferred destinations, demonstrates the operator's confidence that it is a worthwhile port. "From this we can anticipate accelerated growth," he added.
The ship, which was heralded into the Montego Bay Cruise Shipping Pier by the extraordinary ensemble, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) band, will call on the Second City every Thursday for the next year.
Allan Goldstein, president of RCCL, who welcomed the large contingent of Jamaican officials on board, spoke of the great experience his passengers have had over the years visiting the island and the exciting potential for growth.
The Freedom of the Seas weighs 160,000 tonnes and has been described by its captain, William Wright, as sophisticated, spectacular and sexy.
