Montego Bay Named Best Turnaround Operations
Miami, March 19, 2006
Montego Bay was named “Best Turnaround Operations” for 2005 by Dream World Cruise Destinations at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention. The magazine, a leading publication for ports and cruise destinations, presented Cruise Jamaica with the award as part of its 10 th annual review of ports and destinations.
“Montego Bay is even better positioned than most destinations in the Caribbean because of the level of investment towards ensuring that the port can handle the larger cruise ships, now the industry standard,” said Chris Ashcroft, publisher of the magazine. “Montego Bay can efficiently host a large number of passengers both in terms of the speed of the disembarkation process and in terms of having visitors dispatched to an extensive range of tours and attractions. Jamaica is fully capable to deliver a great experience for cruise ship passengers.”
“We are very pleased to have been recognized. This award speaks to the unmatched experience visitors have in Montego Bay and is an indicator that our efforts to stand out in Caribbean cruising have not been in vain,” William Tatham, Vice President, Cruise and Marine Operations, said. “Along with our industry partners we have worked tirelessly to ensure that Montego Bay remains a popular cruise destination.”
Located on Jamaica's north west coast, Montego Bay receives regular calls from a number of well-known cruise ships. In June, Royal Caribbean International's Freedom of the Seas will make her maiden call to Montego Bay, just a month after her expected world debut in May. At 160,000 GRT and accommodating 3634 guests , Freedom of the Seas will be the world's largest cruise ship.
Due to the increased demand for Montego Bay as a port of a call, expansion plans are currently underway. These plans include the construction and renovation of three of its berths, two of which will be able to accommodate two Ultra Voyager-size vessels like Freedom of the Seas , with the third hosting vessels in the 900-foot Vision-class. A second terminal building and extensive retail and entertainment facilities are also planned.
Dream World Cruise Destinations, is published by London-based Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC.
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