If all goes well with ongoing cruise line visits to Ocho Rio, Jamaica stands a chance of making the itinerary of the world’s biggest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas, which is set to make its long-awaited debut in 2022.
According to Chief Strategist/Adviser in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright, the nearly 7,000-passenger vessel is scheduled to sail from Fort Lauderdale in the United States on March 4, heading to the Caribbean, which could include Jamaica.
The vessel will then sail to Barcelona and Rome for European tours, eventually making its way to China.
“We could have a banner cruise-shipping year in 2022 if we play our cards right,” Seiveright said.
On Wednesday Carnival Sunrise will dock at the Ocho Rios pier in St Ann, bringing more than 2,000 cruise passengers to the island.
The Carnival Cruise Line’s vessel will be the second mega liner to call at Ocho Rios in two consecutive days, with the 3,000-passenger MSC Meraviglia docking at the resort town on Tuesday.
Wednesday’s visit by Carnival Sunrise will be the fifth cruise call to Jamaica since the phased reopening of the sector in August. All the vessels have docked in Ocho Rios.
“The way we handle things in Ocho Rios will determine, in a big way, the path going forward for Falmouth, Montego Bay, Port Royal, Kingston and Port Antonio. The other cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean are watching,” Seiveright noted.
