Wed | Apr 24, 2024

Amazing ship comes to Ocho Rios

Published:Tuesday | January 7, 2020 | 12:00 AM
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Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett is met by Evroy Johnson, group financial controller at Lannaman and Morris group, as he arrives for a tour of the MSC Meraviglia at the Ocho Rios Cruise Ship Pier. Observing the exchange are Michael Belnavis (left), chairman of the National Cruise Council and mayor of St Ann’s Bay and Joy Roberts executive director of Jamaica Vacations.
From left: Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett having a discussion with retired custos of St Ann Radcliffe Walters; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lannaman and Morris Group Harry Maragh; and Lannaman and Morris Group Director Charmaine Maragh on a tour of the MSC Meraviglia during its inaugural visit to Ocho Rios.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lannaman and Morris Group Harriat Maragh (left) presents a gift to the captain of the MSC Meraviglia Stephano Battinelli to commemorate the vessel’s inaugural visit to Ocho Rios.
The MSC Meraviglia during its inaugural to Ocho Rios on December 3, 2019.
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The 7,200 capacity MSC Meraviglia made its maiden call on Ocho Rios on December 3, 2019.

The vessel is a cruise ship, owned and operated by MSC Cruises, built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St Nazaire, France, by STX France. The MSC Meraviglia is the lead ship of MSC’s new ‘Vista Project’ vessels, the Meraviglia-class. When it entered service in June 2017, it was the sixth-largest cruise ship in the world.

MSC Cruises is the world’s largest privately owned cruise line and a brand market leader in Europe, South America, and Southern Africa. The name Meraviglia may be translated from Italian to mean wonder’ or ‘amazing’, and this was demonstrated during the welcome tour of the vessel organised by ships’ agents Lannaman and Morris Shipping Limited, represented by the CEO and Chairman of Lannaman and Morris, Harriat Maragh; Lannaman Directors Charmaine and Racquel Maragh; and the company Group Chief Financial Officer, Evroy Johnston.

The touring party guests included Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett; retired and current custodes of St Ann Radcliffe and Norma Walters; Chairman of the National Cruise Council and Mayor of St Ann’s Bay Michael Belnavis; Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations Limited Joy Roberts; Manager of the Ocho Rios Cruise Ship Pier, Hugh Clarke; Sharon Williams, cruise liaison officer with the Jamaica Tourist Board; and a team of other port, shipping, and tourism officials.

In his remarks during the captain’s reception aboard the vessel, Minister Bartlett welcomed the captain and crew to Ocho Rios. He noted the key importance of tourism, which immediately translates to wealth for citizens working in the industry such as craft vendors and artisans. He noted, “Jamaica is a cruise destination of choice, and Ocho Rios a leading cruise port in the world.”

Bartlett further thanked Lannaman Chairman and CEO Harry Maragh, who he hailed as a tower of strength (in tourism) and a treasure trove of knowledge about the cruising industry. The minister also acknowledged Lannaman and Morris as outstanding port agents in the Caribbean.

The MSC Meraviglia will be returning to Jamaica on a regular rotation during this season.