Montego Bay Nails Two Cruise Awards
Port is at the top of the class
Montego Bay, March 22, 2005
Dream World Cruise Destinations, considered the leading publication for ports and destinations, has named Montego Bay as the world’s Most Efficient Terminal Operator and Best Turnaround Port Operations in its ninth annual survey of ports and destinations amongst cruise line executives.
Publisher, Chris Ashcroft said, “The magazine is written by the industry for the industry and our annual awards stand as a barometer of the current thinking of senior cruise executives in relation to the delivery of products and services by ports, terminals and destinations.”
Montego Bay’s award for Most Efficient Terminal Operator, recognized the ports competency in management and operations, while the Best Turnaround Port Operations award considered a range of indicators including berthing, ship services, passenger facilities and services, logistics capability, airport links, customs and communications.
“We are honored to receive these two prestigious industry awards. Given the rigorous assessment criteria, the awards are testament to the dedication to quality and the pursuit of excellence by all those involved in making Montego Bay a world-class cruise destination,” said William Tatham, Vice President of Cruise Shipping and Marina Operations at the Port Authority of Jamaica. "Over the years we have worked hard at refining the cruise experience in Montego Bay and we are committed to providing exceptional visitor satisfaction. These awards acknowledge that commitment.”
Montego Bay has been successfully promoted as a Caribbean homeport for cruise lines and has been the winter home of choice for a number of cruise vessels, including Sun Cruises Sun Dream and Sun Bird, as well as Aida Cruises Arosa Blu and AIDAvita. Aida cruises is presently homeporting the AIDAura in Montego Bay.
Presently, two dedicated cruise ship berths accommodate two ships each of length 198m and draft 9.6 m, or one ship of 268 m and draft of 9.6m. The Port of Montego Bay is certified under the International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities and next generation communications technology keeps the port in touch with the world.
Due to increased demand for Montego Bay as a port of a call and turnaround port, expansion plans are in progress. The plans include three berths, two of which will be able to accommodate two Ultra Voyager size vessels with the third hosting vessels in the 900-foot range. A second terminal building and extensive retail and entertainment facilities are also planned.
Last year, Montego Bay recorded 2.7% growth of cruise passenger arrivals of 328,058 up from 319,405 in the previous year.
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