Monday, October 18, 2010

What’s Going on With the Port in Falmouth, Jamaica?

Whatever happened to the development of the port in Falmouth?  The joint venture between Royal Caribbean and the Port Authority of Jamaica will eventually be a boon to both parties, but it’s certainly taking long enough!  The Falmouth port was being built specifically to accommodate Oasis of the Seas, as ships that large cannot pull into every port without tendering!   Unfortunately, construction delays caused the ship to temporarily substitute Costa Maya for Jamaica on its Western Caribbean itinerary.  For the island of Jamaica, the project means an influx of money to revitalize the terminal area and even the town itself.

 Falmouth is located midway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios on Jamaica’s north coast.  Founded in 1769 it is one of the Caribbean’s best-preserved historic towns,noted for its English Georgian architecture.  During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Falmouth was one of the busiest ports in Jamaica, as nearly one hundred plantations were actively manufacturing sugar and rum for export to England. For cruise line passengers, walking tours of the historical town or plantations will surely be of interest to many.  For those looking for more action, Falmouth is a gateway to adventure tours including zip lining, spelunking, waterfall climbing, river rafting, and tubing.

  In order to minimize additional delays ships will soon be allowed to call on the new port in its incomplete state. Work zones will be fenced off and no construction will be done on days that ships are in port.  Ready or not Royal Caribbean ships will begin visiting the port of Falmouth beginning in January of 2011, however Oasis of the Seas will not glide into her berth until sometime in March."

No comments:

Post a Comment