Port Royal Cruise Option Pushed in Europe

Berlin, GERMANY; March 11, 2018: Tourism Minister, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, on Friday met with the leadership of German based AIDA Cruises to position the historic Port Royal community as a viable cruise option in the near future. AIDA Cruises is now one of eleven brands operated by the Carnival Group, which caters to the German-speaking market and regularly calls in Montego Bay.

The discussion and push to have Port Royal become the next big cruise ship option is very timely, as Jamaica recently contracted the floating pier system, SeaWalk, to be used at historic Port Royal, which will open the opportunity for cruise ships to this destination without negatively impacting its fragile environment.” Minister Bartlett said.

This forms part of the Ministry of Tourism’s overall Cruise marketing, which is a key initiative to strategically boost cruise arrivals.  Cruise Passenger Arrivals grew by 21.3% for the month of January, with 249,690 passengers from 85 cruise ship calls. 

“The rich history of this once powerful city will pull many travellers who are fascinated by its pirate background and charm. Of course the plan now is for smaller vessels, one at a time” - Minister Bartlett added.

Minister Bartlett, who attended ITB Germany, the world’s largest tourism tradeshow, was joined by Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, Donovan White and Senior Advisor/Strategist, Delano Seiveright.