Port Antonio gets two cruise-ship arrivals

PORT ANTONIO, PORTLAND:

The resort town of Port Antonio buzzed with excitement on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day, after receiving back-to-back cruise vessels, providing well-needed income for craft vendors and other industry players.

The arrival of the cruise vessels, Insignia and Seven Seas Navigator, on December 24 and on December 25 is somewhat significant, as according to veteran craft vendor, Cathlene Henry, “it is the first time in more than two decades that Port Antonio was getting back-to-back tourists ships”.

“A really a good time now fi craft vendors and JUTA (Jamaica Union of Travellers Association) operators (members) as we are getting the opportunity to earn from our livelihood. This winter tourist season looks good for us and we are grateful,”commented Henry, who is in her 65th year as a craft trader.

“This bring back memory of the days of Star Ward, Nordic Prince, Sun Viking, Boheme, and South Ward, which use to dock at the Ken Wright shipping pier right here in Port Antonio every day. Back in the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, we used to have two cruise ships per day with tourists going to Rio Grande rafting, Nonsuch Caves, Somerset Falls, Blue Lagoon, and Bath Fountain in St Thomas. So I have seen it all, “she added.

On Christmas Eve and Christmas day, East Portland Member of Parliament (MP) Annmarie Vaz met with vendors and JUTA members to gauge feedback on their interaction with the visitors.

“I can tell you that all the tourism industry players in and around Port Antonio benefitted in a meaningful way from the arrival of the two cruise ships on December 24 and on Christmas day,”the MP pointed out.

“This has not happened in a long time and it is a good thing for everyone, even the supermarket operator and the ordinary man in the street. So Port Antonio has gotten back-to-back ships for the ongoing winter tourist season. I am still in discussion with the Ministry of Tourism as it relates to the future of Port Antonio and the players in that industry.

“As a matter of fact, a cruise ship is slated for Port Antonio on February 26 and on March 10, respectively. So I am hoping that as 2025 floats in, we will secure additional cruise vessels, which will allow my tourism family in Portland to earn from their livelihood in a sustainable way. Port Antonio deserves its fair share of the tourism pie and I will continue to lobby until that happens,”she concluded.

The vessel Insignia docked on December 24 with 607 passengers and 99 crew members followed by Seven Seas Navigator on Christmas Day with 459 passengers and 379 crew members. Both vessels arrived shortly after 11a.m. on both days, and saw passengers visiting the Folly Ruins, Reach Falls, Port Antonio Craft Village, Boston Jerk Centre, the Musgrave Market burnt site, Winnifred Beach, and several stalls.